The international Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is the world’s flagship neutrino experiment, bringing together over 1,000 scientists from more than 30 countries and infusing millions of dollars into local, state and global economies. The experiment, hosted by the Department of Energy’s Fermilab with locations at Fermilab and Sanford Lab, requires the construction of the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility, an upgrade to the particle accelerator complex at Fermilab and the excavation of more than 800,000 tons of rock to make space for a massive particle detector a mile underground at Sanford Underground Research Facility.
But why? What will come of this immense international effort?
At its core, the field of particle physics aims to advance our understanding of the laws of nature. This ambitious experiment will tackle some of the largest mysteries in the field, including the search for the origin of matter, the unification of forces and black hole formation. Read our three-part series exploring the three major science goals of DUNE, linked below.
Sanford Lab is operated by the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA) with funding from the Department of Energy. Our mission is to advance compelling underground, multidisciplinary research in a safe work environment and to inspire and educate through science, technology, and engineering. Visit Sanford Lab at www.SanfordLab.org.
The Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
