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A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector Near Hawaii

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A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector Near Hawaii Part I: Project Summary A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector near Hawaii In Response to: CEROS-CORE-05-01 The National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences (CEROS) 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Suite 111 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Objectives/Result: Design and initial component testing of a deep ocean anti-neutrino detector for the presence of both natural and man-made nuclear activity. Period of Performance: 12 months (June 2005 - May 2006) Funding Requirements: $686,000 Subcontractors: University of Hawaii, Manoa High Energy Physics Principal Investigator: Dr. Joseph Van Ryzin, President Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. [email protected] Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. John Learned, Professor Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Hawaii, Manoa [email protected] Administrative Contact: Dr. Michael Nedbal Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. [email protected] Contact Address: Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. PO Box 1206 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 [email protected] Phone: (808) 259-8871 Fax (808) 259-8238 January 26, 2005 Project Summary A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector near Hawaii Summary, Proposed Effort We propose to initiate a project to build a deep ocean detector to measure low energy anti-neutrinos from radioactive decays. These anti-neutrinos arise from decays throughout the Earth, from a theoretical natural reactor at the Earth's core, and from man-made nuclear reactors or nuclear weapon testing. Such a detector has great value for both geophysical science and nuclear proliferation deterrence. A proposed initial detector is conceptually shown in Figure 1; it is 20m in diameter. Subsequent nuclear deterrent detectors would most likely be even larger. These detectors must be shielded from background radiation by being buried deep in mines, ice or in the deep ocean. One operating detector in Japan is in a mine 1000 meters deep. The utility of this detector for geophysical measurements is severely constrained by its location on the continental Figure 1: Envisioned 20m deep ocean anti-neutrino crust in close proximity to nuclear power detector. reactors. A detector for the measurement of man-made nuclear activity must be shielded and located either in a widely distributed global grid or in close proximity (several hundred km) to the source. Only deep ocean detectors afford the flexibility of both placement and shielding to be practical for both nuclear deterrence and key geophysical science. This proposed CEROS effort is the first step toward building a four thousand tonne (20m diameter) detector in the deep ocean off Hawaii. We have identified significant science goals for this first attempt at such a deep ocean instrument, which in themselves justify funding of such a project. This project is however a first step towards a much larger effort which would lead to monitoring nuclear reactors around the earth, and detecting clandestine fission weapons tests down to useful levels. Our team has identified specific hurdles that need to be overcome before a detector of this size can be built and deployed in the deep ocean. Demonstrating that these hurdles can be overcome is the goal of this proposed effort. CEROS funding is being sought for support on an initial year of scoping, analyzing, sizing and resolving key technical issues. The actual construction of the 20m diameter detector and follow-on Nuclear Deterrence Detectors (NDD) would be by other Science and Defense funding agencies. It is our experience that the science funding agencies are unwilling to support the costs of such work with which they have little experience, particularly an interdisciplinary effort such as we are proposing. We expect an output of this CEROS funded study to be a workable plan for a full-scale detector, with critical technical issues under control. A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector Near Hawaii Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. CEROS-CORE-05-01 Project Summary Page 1 Technical Advancements and Benefits The proposed study will lead to the design of an unprecedented large-scale ultra-sensitive and portable radiation detector for use in the deep ocean. In developing the design we expect to break new paths in design, fabrication and handling of high tech ocean instrumentation. Major Tasks, Costs and Schedule We will carry out engineering studies of the detector design and handling (materials, structure, support, construction, deployment and transport); choice of scintillating detector oil and optical properties (including buoyancy and radio-purity issues) and will make optical and pressure tests on materials; we will study the detector size and sensitivity relative to the first stage geophysics goals; and we will carry out studies of electronics design and use in the ocean. This level of effort would cost $686,000 with 42 % being spent by the University of Hawaii, Makai’s sole subcontractor. The time period is 12 months. It is anticipated that a second year of funding would be requested of CEROS with additional funding being sought from NSF, DTRA, and through international scientific collaboration. Innovation We claim innovation and expect advances in three areas: • An innovative means of monitoring man-made nuclear activity throughout the world. Bomb tests and reactors could not be hidden from these detectors. • Breakthrough science from use of the 20m detector: We believe that this first detector will prove to be extremely valuable for measuring the earth’s total radioactivity from near Hawaii (the best region on earth for this), and resolving fundamental issues relative to (1) the composition of the earth and (2) the existence of a (hypothetical) natural reactor at the earth’s core. • Ocean engineering challenges: The successful and cost-effective installation of these detectors in the deep ocean will require original structures, materials, and instrumentation components. Importance to Maritime Military Technical Requirements The major threat to US security is nuclear proliferation. A study and workshop at the University of Hawaii last year, supported by DTRA, looked at the long range application of neutrino detection to arms control. Preliminary work defined what would be needed to monitor the activity of all the world’s nuclear power reactors and potential “special materials” production reactors. Such a detector system would detect any nuclear weapons detonations on earth with sensitivity down into the <1 kiloton TNT equivalent range. A detector for use in nuclear deterrence would either be a global grid of large deep ocean detectors or single detectors deployed at strategic points around the globe in close proximity to suspected sources of nuclear activity. This first detector proposed and pictured above will not be suitable for such applications for it is not part of a grid nor is it close to a nuclear reactor (by intention). However, it will be the first step in developing the technology and controlling the costs for such detectors. The source of neutrinos for this first detector will be natural and while this is an excellent demonstration of its capability, the immediate benefactor of these measurements will be science. State of Hawaii Benefits This could lead to a long term strengthening of Hawaii as a center for neutrino studies, and ultimately a large research and construction enterprise for both science and human nuclear activity detection in the billion dollar range. By starting with this achievable, stand-alone scientific project, Hawaii will be well positioned as the world center for such efforts and can take advantage of whatever spin-off they may generate. A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector Near Hawaii Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. CEROS-CORE-05-01 Project Summary Page 2 Part II: Technical Summary A Deep Ocean Anti-Neutrino Detector Near Hawaii In Response to: CEROS-CORE-05-01 The National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences (CEROS) 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Suite 111 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Objectives/Result: Design and initial component testing of a deep ocean anti-neutrino detector for the presence of both natural and man-made nuclear activity. Period of Performance: 12 months (June 2005 - May 2006) Funding Requirements: $686,000 Subcontractors: University of Hawaii, Manoa High Energy Physics Principal Investigator: Dr. Joseph Van Ryzin, President Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. [email protected] Co-Principal Investigator: Dr. John Learned, Professor Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Hawaii, Manoa [email protected] Administrative Contact: Dr. Michael Nedbal Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. [email protected] Contact Address: Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. PO Box 1206 Kailua, Hawaii 96734 [email protected] Phone: (808) 259-8871 Fax (808) 259-8238 January 26, 2005 A. Technical Objectives Technical Problem: The long-range technical problem addressed in the proposed work is the challenge of manufacturing and installing deep ocean detectors which can monitor reactors and bomb tests around the world. These proposed detectors will measure low energy anti-neutrinos from radioactive decays. These neutrinos naturally arise from decays throughout the Earth, perhaps from a hypothetical natural reactor at the Earth's core, and from man-made nuclear reactors or nuclear weapon testing. Anti-neutrinos pass freely through shielding materials, thus any reactor or bomb test could not be hidden from the proposed detector. The construction of the proposed detector has two technical problems: 1) Located in the deep ocean: Such detectors must be shielded from cosmic ray background radiation by being buried deep in mines, ice or in the deep ocean. There is an operating detector similar to the one being proposed, in Japan (KamLAND) in a mine cavity 1000 meters deep (2.5 km water equivalent), and not as deep as one would wish for proper shielding. Future detectors intended for the worldwide monitoring of nuclear activity must be better shielded (deeper) and located either in a widely distributed global grid or in close proximity (several hundred km) to the suspicious sources. Only deep ocean detectors afford the flexibility of both placement (portability) and shielding to be practical for both nuclear deterrence and key geophysical science.
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