\inputeconfmacros
.tex A modular design was selected primarily for the purpose of scalability such that if one module can be shown to function as expected the isotope mass can be increased by replication. Stand alone modules also offer the opportunity of operation in disparate locations. Since underground laboratory space remains a limited commodity single modules can be installed where limited space is available in order to maximise usage. Additionally, it reduces the time between start of construction to first data taking.
The first such module, named the demonstrator, is currently under construction and will uniquely host 7 kg of \({}^{82}\)Se. The aim is to demonstrate proof of concept, the capability of the detector to meet the pre-set criteria to reach a target sensitivity of T\({}_{1/2}\)(\(0\nu\)) \(>\) 10\({}^{26}\) years, which corresponds to an effective neutrino mass of 50-100 meV. Data taking is set to start in the summer of 2017.
The UCL SuperNEMO group is involved in the following activities:
Software/Grid: For the purpose of carrying out large scale simulations SuperNEMO has established itself on the LHC Computing Grid (LCG): supernemo.vo.eu-egee.org is a Virtual Organisation open to all members of the SuperNEMO collaboration in order to access large computing resources. Several UK LCG sites support the VO, also one in France, one in the Czech Republic and one in Spain.
Radiopurity: SuperNEMO aims to improve on NEMO-3 in radiopurity up to a factor of 30 times. This requires the level of \({}^{208}\)Tl and \({}^{214}\)Bi in the source to be less than 2 and 10 \(\mu\)Bq/kg respectively. The level of \({}^{222}\)Rn inside the tracker must also not exceed 0.15 mBq/m\({}^{3}\).
Determining the magnitude of these contaminants requires the use of a range of complimentary techniques at various stages of the decay chain. These include; gamma, alpha and mass spectrometry (ICPMS) and UCL has established screening capabilities using all 3 techniques at Boulby Underground Laboratory, Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) and UCL Department of Physics respectively.
Radon concentration line for ultra low radon activity measurements in gases.
Tracker Construction:
The SuperNEMO tracker is constructed in 4 quarter sections each in the shape of a C and are hence known as c-sections. All c-sections are assembled at MSSL where they are tested for radio-purity and commissioned before being transported to the LSM, see figure \ref{fig:sn_tracker}.
Tracker cell insertion (left) and fully instrumented c-section (right).