{"id":256596,"date":"2026-11-10T16:02:23","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T15:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/?p=256596"},"modified":"2026-11-10T21:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T20:05:49","slug":"construction-begins-on-massive-underground-neutrino-experiment-designed-to-unlock-the-secrets-of-the-universe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efecomunica.efe.com\/en\/construction-begins-on-massive-underground-neutrino-experiment-designed-to-unlock-the-secrets-of-the-universe\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction begins on massive underground neutrino experiment designed to unlock the secrets of the universe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Statement issued by the company (Announcement)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Installation crews with the U.S. Department of Energy\u2019s (DOE)\u00a0Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory<\/a> (Fermilab) and CERN, the European Organization for Particle Physics<\/a>, are working alongside the Sanford Underground Research Facility<\/a> (SURF<\/a>)<\/strong> to begin building massive cryostats, giant insulated containers designed to hold liquid argon at an extremely cold temperature, for the leading-edge Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment<\/a> (DUNE).<\/p>\n

The work is happening nearly a mile underground at SURF in Lead, South Dakota, where thousands of red steel beams were meticulously transported, one by one, from the surface down to the assembly area<\/strong>. Once installed, the beams will form the outer structures of the experiment\u2019s two detector module cryostats. Each will house approximately 17,000 tons of liquid argon maintained at approximately minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit.<\/p>\n

\u201cDUNE is Fermilab\u2019s top priority,\u201d said Norbert Holtkamp, director of Fermilab<\/strong>. \u201cThe entire organization is thrilled to see this work begin. Once underway, DUNE has the potential to help us broaden our fundamental understanding of our universe, as well as potentially open the door to new technological advances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once operational, Fermilab will send a beam of neutrinos 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) through Earth to DUNE’s liquid-argon detectors in South Dakota. A second detector near the neutrino beam source at Fermilab will measure the particles before they begin their journey. Together, the facilities at Fermilab and the underground site in South Dakota form the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility.<\/p>\n

DUNE is an international collaboration of over 1,500 researchers hosted by Fermilab<\/strong>, including five DOE Office of Science Laboratories. The more than 6,200 tons of steel being used on the cryostat modules are an in-kind contribution from CERN. CERN is leading the design, construction planning, logistics and installation of DUNE’s massive cryostats, working with a Minnesota-based structural steel contractor to assemble the structures deep underground in South Dakota.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been lucky to see several milestones occur recently, such as the arrival of steel for both cryostats in Rapid City from Houston, to the celebration earlier this year<\/a> marking the start of steel being lowered underground in Lead,\u201d said Jolie Macier, project manager for the far detectors and cryogenics of DUNE. \u201cThis brings us one step closer to science.\u201d<\/p>\n

The DUNE experiment marks the first time CERN has made such significant contributions to an experiment happening outside of Europe.<\/p>\n

\u201cCollaboration is in CERN\u2019s DNA, and our contribution to DUNE is a brilliant example of cross-organizational partnership,\u201d said Mark Thomson, director general of CERN<\/strong>. \u201cAfter years of planning and careful coordination, I am thrilled to see that we are ready to start installation.\u201d<\/p>\n

CERN is a leader in particle physics technologies, including the design of the unique cryostats for DUNE. Using its Neutrino Platform facility, CERN developed and built the ProtoDUNE<\/a> detector, the first prototype of the two detector technologies that will be used in the DUNE far detector modules.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe work that has been done is a full contribution of CERN\u2019s expertise,\u201d said Llu\u00eds Miralles, Neutrino Platform principal project engineer at CERN<\/strong>. \u201cNot only did we contribute our technical know-how, but also the project management capabilities of the organization. CERN demonstrates here how, by design, we have in-house competencies to address requirements and challenges at all levels of the project.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each cryostat measures 216 feet long (65.8 meters), 62 feet wide (18.9 meters) and 60 feet high (18.3 meters). To illustrate the enormous size of the cryostats, each one is longer than a Boeing 747 airplane, and each one will stand a full story taller than the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

\u201cSURF is proud to support this world-class research 4,850 feet (1,478 meters) below ground level. This massive experiment is slated to run into the late 2040s, with the potential to impact science for generations. In the process, it\u2019s creating a home for some of the best and brightest scientific minds in the world and a range of high-paying jobs right here in the Black Hills,\u201d said Mike Headley, SURF laboratory director and executive director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A total of 2,600 red steel beams will be used to build DUNE\u2019s two cryostat modules. SURF is responsible for shaft operations and logistics, ensuring that each of these steel beams \u2013 and other necessary installation equipment \u2013 is safely transported underground to the work site.
\nIn addition to the installation work underway in the South Cavern, SURF crews have begun lowering steel components for the second cryostat into the North Cavern, where assembly is expected to begin next year.<\/p>\n

“This marks an incredible milestone for the collaboration and reflects the cross-continental partnerships between CERN, Fermilab, and SURF that are essential to realizing this project,\u201d said Sowjanya Gollapinni, co-spokesperson for DUNE. \u201cThis synergy is at the core of how big international collaborations work. We are thrilled to take this major step forward as we move closer to the transformative science that DUNE will deliver.\u201d<\/p>\n

The underground space of DUNE is planned to be completed by\u00a02029<\/strong>, and\u00a0the detector apparatus in 2030. From that date, a 1,500-strong worldwide\u00a0team of researchers will begin probing the laws of nature more deeply than ever before, observing particles from the Sun and outer space. Using Fermilab\u2019s PIP-II accelerator upgrade, the terrestrial neutrino beam is expected to be sent to the underground detectors in South Dakota by 2031, enabling DUNE\u2019s long-term scientific program.<\/p>\n

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is America\u2019s national laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research. Fermi Forward Discovery Group manages Fermilab for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. Visit Fermilab\u2019s website at <\/i>www.fnal.gov<\/i><\/a> and follow us on social media.<\/i><\/p>\n

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