Draft2:Sanford Underground Research Facility

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The Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, aims to advance our understanding of the universe by providing laboratory space deep underground, where sensitive physics experiments can be shielded from cosmic radiation. Researchers at the Sanford Lab will explore some of the most challenging questions facing 21st century physics, such as the origin of matter, the nature of dark matter and the properties of neutrinos. The facility also hosts experiments in other disciplines—including geology, biology and engineering.

The Sanford Lab is located at the former Homestake gold mine, which was a physics landmark long before it was converted into a dedicated science facility. Nuclear chemist Ray DavisWikipedia Logo.png earned a share of the Nobel Prize for PhysicsWikipedia Logo.png in 2002 for a solar neutrino experiment he installed 4,850 feet underground in the mine.

Official Site - sanfordlab.org

DOE relevance

Funding

The DOE provides substantial funding for the operations at SURF, which includes the maintenance of the facility and the support of scientific experiments. This funding is facilitated through cooperative agreements, with Fermilab acting as the liaison between Office of Science and the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA), which manages SURF.

Fermilab

Starting from October 1, 2016, Fermilab, under DOE's auspices, took on the role of being the point of contact for the Department of Energy Office of Science at Sanford Lab. This role involves:

  • Serving as a liaison for DOE science operations at SURF.
  • Coordinating and supporting the logistics for experiments, which can involve everything from equipment installation to operational support deep underground.

Scientific Research

DOE supports various physics experiments at SURF, which are pivotal in exploring fundamental questions about the universe:

DUNE

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a flagship neutrino experiment where neutrinos are sent from Fermilab in Illinois to detectors at SURF. DOE's involvement here includes funding, coordination, and the technical development of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) necessary for DUNE.

LUX-ZEPLIN

LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) is a dark matter experiment aiming to detect WIMPs (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles). Although the initial phase (LUX) was supported by DOE and other funding sources, LZ represents an escalation in the search, with DOE's continued involvement.

https://lz.lbl.gov/

South Dakota Science and Technology Authority

The South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) Board of Directors oversees the operations of the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), which is America's deepest underground science laboratory located in Lead, South Dakota. Here are some key points about the SDSTA Board:

Mission

The SDSTA is tasked with advancing world-class science and inspiring learning across generations. The board ensures that the operations of SURF align with this mission, managing the facility which hosts a wide array of research in fields like physics, geology, biology, and engineering.

Board Members

The board consists of members with diverse backgrounds, often including expertise in science, technology, education, and business. Notable past and present members include:

  • Mike Headley, who serves as the Executive Director of the SDSTA and Laboratory Director of SURF. He has extensive experience in engineering and management from his previous roles at the U.S. Geological Survey and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
  • Casey Peterson, who has been involved in significant community and cultural initiatives at SURF, including the Sacred Circle Garden project to honor Indigenous cultures.
  • Heather Wilson, who joined the board in an ex-officio capacity due to her position as President of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, reflecting the close relationship between SURF and educational institutions in the area.

History

In 2007, after the National Science Foundation named Homestake as the preferred site for a proposed national Deep Underground Science and Engineering LaboratoryWikipedia Logo.png (DUSEL), the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) began reopening the former gold mine.

In December 2010, the National Science Board decided not to fund further design of DUSEL. However, in 2011 the Department of Energy, through the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, agreed to support ongoing science operations at the the Sanford Lab, while investigating how to use Homestake for other longer-term experiments. The SDSTA, which owns the Sanford Lab, continues to operate the facility under that agreement with Berkeley Lab.

External links

Social media

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