LVD
Collaboration
Laboratory: LNGS-Gran Sasso National Laboratory
National Responsible: A. Zichichi
1. Goal of the experiment.
The LVD experiment was conceived with a twofold purpose: the study of high energy cosmic ray processes deep undergound and the study of low energy neutrino bursts, typically originated in the Super Nova gravitational stellar collapses.
2.
Activities during the year 2001
The LVD experiment, in the final configuration of 3 towers (~1 kton of active mass), has taken data with an average duty cycle of more than 99% monitoring the Galaxy for Super Nova stellar collapses. No such event has been observed.
Tests have been made either on the recognition of neutrino bursts by using clusters simulated by LED's or on the operation in high-rate coincidence mode with the SuperKamiokande and SNO detectors in the framework of the SNEWS project, dedidated to the simultaneous detection of the Supernova events.
The apparatus has been upgraded with an active radiation shielding based on 72 counters belonging to the LSD detector, operated at Mont Blanc and now dismissed.
The following milestones were set by the Italian groups for 2001:
- Completion of conditioning of the third tower and Data Acquisition for the three towers: fulfilled on 31-01-2001
- Completion of tests with doped liquid scintillator: 80% fulfilled
- Gammas and neutrons passive filter installation: fulfilled on 31-07-2001
Milestones 2002
Data taking with the whole detector at the maximum efficiency | 31-12-2002 |
Completion of SNEWS synchronization test | 31-12-2002 |
Completion of studies to improve the detector performance | 31-07-2002 |
3. INFN contribution to the experiemnt in terms of manpower and financial support
- Manpower: 24 researchers (10.7 FTE), 3 technicians (1.3 FTE)
- Budget for the Year 2002: 284 kEuro
4. Publications in refereed journals (in 2001):
5. Conference talks (in 2001): 4
6. Number of undergraduate and doctoral theses on the experiment
Laurea diplomas: 2
7. Leadership roles and primary responsibilities in the experiment
Spokeperson and Chairman of the Executive Committee (A. Zichichi), Chairman of the Analysis Committee (P. Galeotti), Chairman of the Technical Committee (P. Giusti).
8. Innovative instruments
The LVD collaboration has set up in the Gran Sasso Laboratory a plant for the production of the good quality and inexpensive liquid scintillator needed for the experiment. Nowadays it is used to develop new liquid scintillators with improved characteristics by using various dopants.
9. Competing experiments
Relative to the detection of low energy neutrino bursts, the main competing experiments are SuperKamiokande, SNO, AMANDA. LVD compares well with respect to these experiment due to its following characteristics.
10. International Committee which has reviewed the experiment.
The LVD experiment has been reviewed and approved by the LNGS International Scientific Committee.