Borexino

Borexino is a particle physics experiment to study low energy (sub-MeV) solar neutrinos. The primary aim of the experiment is to make a precise measurement of the beryllium-7 neutrino flux from the sun. This will allow scientists to further understand the nuclear fusion processes taking place at the core of the Sun and will also help determine properties of neutrino propagation such as the MSW effect. Other goals of the experiment are to detect boron-8, pp, pep and CNO solar neutrinos as well as antineutrinos from the Earth and nuclear power plants.

Borexino is short for BORon EXperiment. The project first detected solar neutrinos on 16 August 2007.

The experiment is located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso near the town of L'Aquila, Italy, and is supported by an international collaboration with researchers from Italy, the United States, Germany, France and Russia. The experiment is funded by multiple national agencies including the INFN (National Institute for Nuclear Physics) and the NSF (National Science Foundation).

External links

Official website
Borexino Genova homepage
Press release from US NSF on first real-time detection

List of neutrino experiments