World’s Deepest Underground Physics Laboratory

China has launched the world’s deepest and largest underground physics laboratory, the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF), located beneath Jinping Mountain in Sichuan Province. The laboratory, operational after three years of extensive upgrades, aims to revolutionize the global search for dark matter, a hypothetical form of matter that does not interact with light or the electromagnetic field.

Key Features of DURF

Extreme Depth

• Situated 2,400 meters deep, DURF provides a unique advantage in blocking most cosmic rays that can interfere with observations, allowing for more accurate experiments.

Boost to Dark Matter Research

• Scientists believe that DURF will significantly contribute to advancing dark matter research by offering special testing conditions not available elsewhere.

Ultra-Low Cosmic Ray Flux

• The laboratory’s location exposes it to an exceptionally small amount of cosmic rays, approximately one hundred-millionth of that on the Earth’s surface, creating ideal conditions for precision experiments.

Advantages of DURF Facility

• Ultra-low cosmic ray flux, ensuring minimal interference during experiments.
• Extremely low environmental radiation, providing a clean and controlled research environment.
• Extremely low radon concentration, minimizing background noise in experiments.
• Ultra-clean space, offering researchers specialized conditions for advanced physics experiments.

Expansion and Collaboration

• The DURF is the second phase of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory, jointly built by Tsinghua University and Yalong River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd.
• The facility, operational since December 2020, has undergone extensive upgrades and expansion to enhance its capabilities.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2023

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs