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CNNC develops experimental device for world’s deepest underground lab

Updated: 2019-05-28
2019-05-28

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A high-current, high-voltage accelerator independently developed by CNNC’s China Institute of Atomic Energy passed acceptance checks on May 26. The accelerator will be installed at China Jinping Underground Laboratory in Sichuan province and will be an underground experimental facility with the world's highest beam intensity when put into operation. 

The performance of the accelerator is now at an advanced level when compared with similar devices around the world, indicating that CNNC has mastered the manufacturing process for high-current, high-voltage accelerators.

The device can be applied in many fields, including ion implantation, material modification and neutron generation. It also plays a significant role in promoting the application of CNNC’s nuclear technologies and other tech-related industries.

The Jinping lab, which sits at a depth of 2400 meters, is the deepest underground lab in the world. The extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with observations. The lab provides a "clean" space for scientists to pursue dark matter and it is expected to develop into a national basic research platform that will open up to the world.

At present, the proton and helium-ion beams generated by the accelerator are used for nuclear astrophysics experiments in Jinping lab, with around 400 hours completed so far.