Prototype of neutrino detector collects data

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http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...no-detector-collects-data/article23982436.ece

Prototype of neutrino detector collects data


MADURAI, May 25, 2018 01:20 IST
Updated: May 25, 2018 01:20 IST



Vivek M. Datar, left, Project Director, INO, at the transit campus in Vadapazhanji near Madurai Kamaraj University on Thursday. | Photo Credit: S_James

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...no-detector-collects-data/article23982436.ece

‘No delay in applying for TNPCB clearance’

The mini Iron Calorimeter (ICAL), the roughly 80-tonne prototype of the ICAL proposed for detecting neutrinos at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) in Theni district, has begun collecting data at the transit campus of the Inter Institutional Centre for High Energy Physics (IICHEP) here.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Thursday, Vivek M. Datar, Project Director, INO, said that the mini-ICAL set-up was, however, yet to be fully completed.

“We have planned 10 layers of Resistive Plate Chambers (which act as active detectors) to be arranged between stacks of magnetised iron plates. We have so far tested with eight,” he said.

The mini-ICAL will detect muons and not neutrinos due to the absence of shield from cosmic rays. It is the need for this shield that necessitates the ICAL to be set up in a cavern under a hill, which will act as a natural cover.

“As per our expectations, we are able to detect and study muons with the mini-ICAL,” Mr. Datar said.

Stating that the setting up of mini-ICAL threw up a few challenges, he said that it had highlighted the need for building an ‘engineering module,’ which would be a slightly bigger ICAL prototype of around 600 tonnes, before the work for the actual 50,000-tonne ICAL began.


Pointing out that the mini-ICAL was helping students and research scholars, he said that around 15 students, including five from Madurai Kamaraj University and other institutions in Tamil Nadu, were doing summer projects here.

Final step

Mr. Datar denied allegations of delay in applying for Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) clearance. “The TNPCB clearance will be the final step before work can begin at the site in Pottipuram in Theni district. We are now waiting for clearance from National Board for Wildlife. Once we get this, we will apply for TNPCB clearance,” he said.

On rumours about alternative sites being considered for INO if the opposition for setting it up at Theni intensifies, he said the team had no such plans. “We are hopeful about setting up INO in Pottipuram. Our focus is fully on that,” he said.

He said that the project team had applied to Madurai district’s Local Planning Authority for constructing the IICHEP campus at Vadapalanji, which would act as the research and development hub for the INO.

Fermilab tie-up

Acknowledging that there are plans for mutual collaboration between INO project and Fermilab in the US, he said, “They will share their expertise in designing a few components of the INO, particularly in the gas circulation system and integrated circuits, to be used in the detectors. We will contribute in designing some components of their Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).” “There are no plans to use the INO as a far-end detector for studying ‘neutrino beams sent from anywhere in the world,” he added.
 

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