LSC Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc

The LAGUNA project and the LSC

The forefront research on Grand Unification of fundamental interactions and Neutrino Physics requires the construction of next-generation underground observatories with a very large detector mass. Such facilities represent enormous extrapolations compared to the current worldwide state-of-the-art: several national underground laboratories with variable technical expertise, operating smaller-scale experiments.

In accordance to the ApPEC/ASPERA in its Roadmap Phase I (January 2007):

 “We recommend that a new large European infrastructure is put forward, as a future international multi-purpose facility on the 100 000 - 1 000 000 ton scale for improved studies on proton decay and of low-energy neutrinos from astrophysical origin. The three detector technologies Water-Cherenkov, Liquid-Scintillator and Liquid-Argon, should be evaluated in the context of a common design study which should also address the underground infrastructure and the possibility of  an eventual detection of future accelerator neutrino beams”

the European collaboration LAGUNA has been formed by the LSC, the University Autonoma Madrid (UAM) and another 21 European research institutes. LAGUNA has been funded by the E.U. with 1.7 M€ for its start, with the explicit request of focusing in the Feasibility Studies (FS), mainly geotechnical, of such a facility in the candidate sites (the LSC plus another six), considering all three possible detection technologies [FP7-INFRASTRUCTURES-2007-1, Pro.: 212343-LAGUNA-DS, Funding Scheme: Collaborative Project CP, Duration: 01/07/2008 - 30/06/2010]. Very large underground facilities are also being considered in Japan, in the context of the Hyper-Kamiokande project, and in the USA, as part of the DUSEL project.

The FS of the LSC is co-funded by LAGUNA (142 K€ ) and the LSC itself (101 K€ ). It is coordinated by L. Labarga (UAM) with the help of the LSC staff. The technical work is being done mostly by the Spanish geotechnic companies IBERINSA and STMR.

These LAGUNA works, within the E.U. project, will last until July 2010. However, it is expected that in accordance, as well, with the final ApPEC/ASPERA roadmap (September 2008):

“We recommend supporting the work towards a large infrastructure for proton decay and low energy neutrino astrophysics, possible also accelerator neutrinos in long baseline experiments, in a worldwide context. Results of a current FP7 design study (LAGUNA) are expected around 2010 and should be followed by work towards a technical design report. Depending on technology, site and worldwide cost sharing, construction could start between 2012 and 2015”

the scientific program of LAGUNA will continue until reaching successfully its completion. The LSC and the UAM are working hard to bring the LSC to play a leading role in this fascinating enterprise.