The DEAP/CLEAN Experiments

CLEAN - Cryogenic Low Energy Astrophysics with Noble gases
DEAP - Dark matter Experiment with Argon and Pulse shape discrimination

The field of neutrino physics is now a source of great excitement after the last decade of experiments showed that neutrinos do have mass. This is the first substantial change in the Standard Model of particle physics in 20 years. DEAP/CLEAN's goal is to study solar neutrinos, as well as search for hypothetical weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPS) that could be a major component of the pervasive dark matter in the universe (see below). In order to do this, a new detector technology that can provide low radioactive backgrounds, low energy threshold, and large detector mass needed to be developed. CLEAN/DEAP is just one idea to accomplish all of these simultaneously by using noble liquids as a detection medium.

Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) provide a compelling explanation for dark matter that could be directly detected as they recoil in massive and ultra-pure detector targets operating deep underground. Thus far, the direct detection of WIMPs has eluded the most sensitive of experiments and it is desirable to achieve sensitivites some three orders of magnitude beyond the state-of-the-art. The neutrino-nucleus scattering of solar neutrinos can be detected using liquid neon as a scintillator and the ultimate goal is to measure the real-time pp solar neutrino flux using a 100 ton scale detector.

For more information on the CLEAN and DEAP experiments please visit the DEAP/CLEAN Collaboration website:

DEAP/CLEAN Collaboration

For pictures from SNOLAB, go here:

SNOLAB Pictures (NEW!)