- 14 Mar 2002
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Last Saturday, Hyper-Kamiokande was presented to the press in Hida, Gifu:
The state-of-the-art particle physics research facility currently under construction, where scientists hope to witness proton decay for the first time, remains on schedule to open in 2028. The Hyper-Kamiokande observatory, located 600 metres underground, is nearing a significant milestone, with its enormous subterranean chamber almost complete. On 28 June, the excavation site was shown to the media. With a total construction budget of approximately 65 billion yen (around $ 450 million), Hyper-Kamiokande represents the third generation of neutrino and proton decay detectors, following the earlier Kamiokande and Super-Kamiokande projects, both of which contributed to Nobel Prizes in Physics for Japanese researchers.
Hyper-Kamiokande Underground Neutrino Observatory
The new facility could confirm proton decay, a long theorised yet unobserved phenomenon, and perhaps secure a third Nobel Prize. In addition to this, the detector is expected to offer vital insights into the origins of the universe and the behaviour of fundamental particles. Reporters were granted access to the vast underground cavity, which measures 69 metres in diameter and 94 metres in height, making it one of the largest of its kind. The chamber was carved out of solid bedrock through continuous blasting over more than two years, and the excavation is expected to be completed by July.
The state-of-the-art particle physics research facility currently under construction, where scientists hope to witness proton decay for the first time, remains on schedule to open in 2028. The Hyper-Kamiokande observatory, located 600 metres underground, is nearing a significant milestone, with its enormous subterranean chamber almost complete. On 28 June, the excavation site was shown to the media. With a total construction budget of approximately 65 billion yen (around $ 450 million), Hyper-Kamiokande represents the third generation of neutrino and proton decay detectors, following the earlier Kamiokande and Super-Kamiokande projects, both of which contributed to Nobel Prizes in Physics for Japanese researchers.
Hyper-Kamiokande Underground Neutrino Observatory
The new facility could confirm proton decay, a long theorised yet unobserved phenomenon, and perhaps secure a third Nobel Prize. In addition to this, the detector is expected to offer vital insights into the origins of the universe and the behaviour of fundamental particles. Reporters were granted access to the vast underground cavity, which measures 69 metres in diameter and 94 metres in height, making it one of the largest of its kind. The chamber was carved out of solid bedrock through continuous blasting over more than two years, and the excavation is expected to be completed by July.