Nestled above the misty forests of South Dakota, scientists are in pursuit of one of the most profound questions in science: why does our Universe exist? They are competing with a separate team of Japanese scientists, who are several years ahead in this quest.
The current theory explaining the formation of the Universe fails to account for the existence of the planets, stars, and galaxies that surround us. Both teams are constructing detectors to study a sub-atomic particle known as the neutrino, hoping to uncover the answers they seek.
The US-led international collaboration is optimistic that the key lies deep underground, in the aptly named Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE).
The scientists will journey 1,500 metres below the surface into three vast underground caverns. The scale of these constructions is such that construction crews and their bulldozers appear like small plastic toys in comparison.
Dr. Jaret Heise, the science director of this facility, describes the immense caves as “cathedrals to science.”
Having been involved in the construction of these caverns at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) for nearly a decade, Dr. Heise asserts that they protect DUNE from the noise and radiation of the world above. Now, DUNE is ready for the next phase.
“We are poised to build the detector that will transform our understanding of the Universe, with instruments deployed by a collaboration of over 1,400 scientists from 35 countries who are keen to answer the question of why we exist,” he states.
When the Universe was formed, two types of particles came into existence: matter, which makes up stars, planets, and everything around us, and antimatter, the exact opposite of matter, created in equal amounts.
Theoretically, these two should have annihilated each other, leaving nothing but a vast burst of energy. Yet here we are, as matter.
Scientists believe that the key to understanding why matter—and by extension, we—exists lies in studying the neutrino and its antimatter counterpart, the antineutrino.
They will fire beams of both particle types from deep underground in Illinois to the detectors in South Dakota, 800 miles away.
This is essential because neutrinos and antineutrinos alter ever so slightly as they travel.
The scientists aim to determine whether these changes differ between neutrinos and antineutrinos. If they do, it could lead to insights about why matter and antimatter do not cancel each other out.
DUNE is a collaborative international project, involving 1,400 scientists from thirty countries. Among them is Dr. Kate Shaw from Sussex University, who remarked that the discoveries anticipated will be “transformative” for our understanding of the Universe and humanity’s perception of itself.
“It is thrilling that we are equipped with the technology, engineering, and software skills to tackle these monumental questions,” she commented.
**A Temple to Science:** Japan’s new lab will be a larger, improved version of its existing Super-K neutrino detector.
Far across the globe, Japanese scientists employ gleaming golden globes to search for the same answers. Their new facility, Hyper-K, stands as a testament to science, mirroring the cathedral in South Dakota, 6,000 miles (9,650 km) away. This advanced neutrino detector is set to be ready in less than three years, several years ahead of the American project. Like DUNE, Hyper-K is also an international collaboration. Dr. Mark Scott from Imperial College, London, believes his team is well-positioned to make one of the most significant discoveries regarding the Universe’s origin.
“We’ve switched on earlier, and we have a larger detector, so we should have greater sensitivity sooner than DUNE,” he explains.
Having both experiments operational simultaneously means scientists will gain more insights than they would from just one. However, he admits, “I would prefer to reach our goals first!”
Current understanding suggests that our Universe should not have formed into planets, stars, and galaxies.
However, Dr. Linda Cremonesi from Queen Mary University of London, who is part of the DUNE project, warns that being first may not give the Japanese-led team the complete picture.
“There is a competitive element, but Hyper-K does not yet possess all the necessary components to determine if neutrinos and antineutrinos behave differently.”
The race is on, yet initial results are not expected for a few years. The question of what occurred at the beginning of time to bring us into existence remains shrouded in mystery.
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