SNO+
SNO+ is an underground physics experiment under construction (as of Nov 2015) that makes use of the equipment already installed underground for the former Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) experiment at SNOLAB. The main goals of the project are a search for neutrinoless double beta decay, with secondary measurements of proton–electron–proton (pep) solar neutrinos, geoneutrinos from radioactive decays in the Earth, and reactor neutrinos. It will also be possible to observe supernovae neutrinos if a supernova should occur in our galaxy.
Testing and construction
Testing (filled with water) is expected to begin early 2016, with full operation with liquid a few months after that, and the Te-loaded phase in 2017. In order to reach these goals, linear alkyl benzene will be used as a liquid scintillator and target material.
A neutrino interaction with this liquid produces several times more light than an interaction in a water Cherenkov experiment such as the original SNO experiment or Super-Kamiokande. The energy threshold for the detection of neutrinos therefore can be lower, and proton–electron–proton solar neutrinos (with an energy of 6987230713414127999♠1.44 MeV) can be observed. In addition, a liquid scintillator experiment can detect anti-neutrinos like those created in nuclear fission reactors and the decay of thorium and uranium in the earth.
