MADURAI
A prototype of the Iron Calorimeter (ICAL) detector for studying neutrinos, which is being set up at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project’s facility at Vadapalanji here, will become functional by April, according to scientists involved in the project.
The prototype, which is being built, will be roughly 600 times smaller than the actual ICAL to be built with 50,000 tonnes of magnetised iron plates arranged in stacks at the underground laboratory proposed at Pottipuram in Theni district, said B. Satyanarayana, Scientific Officer (H) with the Department of High Energy Physics of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and one of the key collaborators in the INO project.
Speaking to The Hindu during the two-day collaborative meeting of scientists and research scholars from various institutes involved in the INO project, which ended here on Friday, he said that iron plates had already been set up and the remaining work was likely to be over by mid-April.
Stating that the prototype would not detect atmospheric neutrinos since it was not located underground beneath the rock, which would serve as a filter to remove unwanted portion of cosmic rays, Dr. Satyanarayana said that the prototype would, however, serve two main purposes.
“First, it will provide a hands-on experience for us scientists to experiment and figure out in advance any challenges we may face while setting up the actual ICAL at Pottipuram. Second, it can clear the misconceptions about the project since people can see the prototype and understand how it works and why it is not dangerous,” he added.
Naba K. Mondal, former Director of INO Project and a main collaborator, said that there were plans to bring people of Pottipuram, who have raised concerns about the project, to see the prototype.
Stephen Inbanathan, Head, Department of Applied Science at The American College, and a collaborator, said that once the prototype became functional, visits would be arranged for students.
