Nuclear physics
Traditionally, nuclear physics includes not only research related to the structure of the atomic nucleus and nuclear reactions, but also the entire physics of elementary particles, as well as partly some sections of astrophysics and cosmology. Currently, the efforts of our group are concentrated in the field of so-called non-accelerator experiments in elementary particle physics.
International experiment GERDA
GERDA (GERmanium Detector Array) experiment, marketed at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy, designed to search for Ge-76 double neutrino-free decay. GERDA uses detectors from Germany enriched in the Ge-76 isotope. The detectors are immersed in liquid argon, which cools them to a working temperature (87 K) and, at the same time, serves as additional protection against background radiation. The experiment is carried out in several stages or phases. At the moment, the second phase of the experiment is over and a third is planned.
However, with an increase in the accuracy of the experiment in the following phases, one of the sources of background events may be the interaction of 76Ge with neutrinos from the sun. Members of the group deal with this problem in collaboration with specialists from the Kurchatov Institute. This study is based on preliminary calculations of group leader Inzhechik Lev Vladislavovich (he is a member of the GERDA collaboration).
Muon monitor for subterranean low-background experiments
Location: Spain, Canfranc-Estación, Canfranca Underground Laboratory (LSC Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc)
Objective: Registration of high-energy cosmic muons in Underground LSC laboratory conditions.
Installation scheme: basic detecting elements of the monitor are SC16 muon scintillation detectors, each of which in in turn consists of 16 single scintillation detectors SC1 (“pixels”) and internal electronics.
The data acquisition system (DAQ) includes signal processing units about the time (TimeBoard) and the coordinate (HodoscopeBoard) of the triggered pixels; low voltage power supplies for detectors; VME units and computer for final output of source files; Trigger Unit for muon selection real time events.
DAQ system:
Electronics
- Power supply for the sc16 detectors
- Hodoscope board (pattern info)
- Time master board (timing info)
- 7 power supplies for these boards
- VME modules
- VME Pattern unit V1495
- Computer with data acquisition program
- Trigger Unit (real time selection)
Scintillation Detectors SC16 Scintillation Monitor Systems grouped in three layers. The upper and lower layers consist of 9 detectors SC16 with the total number of SC1 scintillators in each layer equal to 9* 16 = 144. The middle layer consists of 4 SC16 detectors, i.e., 64 scintillators SC1.
Middle and top layer detectors rest on a wooden frame. Frame leans on the bottom layer. On top of the assembly of three layers is covered with lead screen.
Installation scheme
Neutrino mass search facility Troitsk nu-mass
The Troitsk nu-mass facility is one of the few world-class experiments in Russia in the field of particle physics. The purpose of the experiment is to search for masses of both active and sterile neutrinos. The results obtained at the installation are currently the best in the world.