Developments by BelSU Physicists to Support Major Mega-Science Experiments

Alexander Chepurnov and Andrey Oleynik, senior researchers from the Laboratory of Advanced Radiation Research and Technology at Belgorod National Research University, recently participated in the First Open Meeting of the PandaX International Experiment held at the Li Zhengdao Institute in Shanghai, China.

During this meeting, approximately 80 researchers from China, Russia, the USA, Japan, Italy, Canada, Great Britain, Sweden, and Slovakia gathered to discuss the expansion of participation in the dark matter search project.

Andrey Oleynik highlighted that the PandaX-4T experiment, conducted in the underground Jinping National Laboratory in Sichuan, is one of the largest global initiatives aimed at detecting dark matter particles. The experiment’s detector currently holds 4 tons of liquid xenon, which is utilized to identify rare processes and capture weakly interacting particles. The collaboration’s expansion is linked to plans for constructing the world’s largest detector with a liquid xenon target, specifically designed for dark matter searches.

“The collaboration aims to develop a more sensitive detector with a volume of 20 tons, and eventually 43 tons of xenon. This will necessitate new technologies and system upgrades. As we enhance the detector's sensitivity, the physics research program will also broaden: in addition to searching for dark matter, PandaX will investigate neutrinoless double beta decay and detect solar and high-energy neutrinos from various sources,” Oleynik explained.

At the meeting, scientists from Belgorod State University presented two reports detailing their research findings, which are applicable to the development and measurement of future unique detectors. Alexander Chepurnov delivered a presentation titled “Ultra Low Radioactive construction Ti alloys, current status and perspectives.” In his report, he outlined the achievements of the Belgorod State University team in collaboration with colleagues from Lomonosov Moscow State University, Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology of Russia, and the Institute of Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The team has developed industrial technology for producing radiation- and chemically pure structural titanium alloys, aimed at supporting the technological needs of low-background detectors currently under construction and in future global projects.

The report by Alexander Chepurnov generated significant interest among the participants at the international meeting. Following an engaging discussion, the specialists agreed to establish a cooperation agreement between Belgorod National Research University and the Li Zhengdao Institute in Shanghai. This agreement will focus on the development of an ultra-low-background cryostat, which serves as the central mechanical structure of the detector.

It is noteworthy that the alloy to be used for the cryostat has been developed by BelSU scientists in collaboration with PJSC VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the world’s largest titanium producer based in Verkhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk Region, Russia. Manufacturing of the cryostat itself will also take place in partnership with this industrial leader and BelSU partner.

Andrey Oleynik presented his report titled “The development of compact DD neutron generator forcalibration,” introducing attendees to the latest advancements in creating an innovative neutron source designed for calibrating low-background detectors. The audience engaged with his findings, leading to an agreement to conduct joint experiments and to formally include this scientific topic in the cooperation documents between BelSU and both Shanghai University and the Li Zhengdao Institute.

In addition to the meeting, the hosts organized a tour for the scientists to the Jinping National Laboratory, the world’s deepest underground facility dedicated to low-background research, where the PandaX-4T detector is actively collecting data. This visit provided guests with a first-hand look at the structure of the largest underground laboratory globally and offered insights into the operation of the dark matter detector.

Looking ahead, the physicists at Belgorod National Research University are eager to actively participate in the design and operation of the rare processes detector, aiming to enhance our understanding of the fundamental structure of the physical world.

For the record. The PandaX-4T experiment is one of the largest global initiatives searching for dark matter particles, conducted at the underground low-background Jinping National Laboratory, located 50 km from Xichang in Sichuan Province, China.