Here is a detailed article about the completion of the excavation of the super-large cavern for the Hyper-Kamiokande project, published by the University of Tokyo.
University of Tokyo Announces Completion of Super-Large Cavern Excavation for Hyper-Kamiokande Experiment
Tokyo, Japan – August 5, 2025 – The University of Tokyo is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the global scientific endeavor of the Hyper-Kamiokande (Hyper-K) experiment: the successful completion of the excavation of its super-large cavern. This monumental achievement marks a crucial step forward in the construction of what will be the world’s largest and most advanced water Cherenkov detector, poised to revolutionize our understanding of fundamental physics.
The Hyper-Kamiokande project, a successor to the highly successful Super-Kamiokande experiment, aims to unlock profound mysteries of the universe, including the nature of neutrinos, the mass hierarchy of these elusive particles, and the possibility of proton decay, a phenomenon that would signal the ultimate fate of matter. Located in the Kamioka mine in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, the new facility boasts a cavern of unprecedented scale, designed to house a colossal detector tank.
The excavation process for this super-large cavern has been a testament to advanced engineering and meticulous planning. Spanning a vast volume, the cavern’s construction required overcoming significant geological and engineering challenges. The successful completion underscores the dedication and expertise of the international collaboration involved in the Hyper-K project, as well as the precision of the construction teams.
This newly excavated space will serve as the foundation for the installation of the hyper-Kamiokande detector, a massive cylindrical tank filled with ultra-pure water and lined with an array of highly sensitive photodetectors. These detectors will capture the faint flashes of light, known as Cherenkov radiation, produced when neutrinos or their associated particles interact with the water molecules. The sheer size of the cavern is essential to accommodate the detector’s immense volume, which will be approximately 10 times larger than that of Super-Kamiokande, allowing for significantly enhanced data collection and improved sensitivity.
The completion of the cavern excavation paves the way for the next critical phases of the Hyper-K construction, including the installation of the detector components, the precise alignment of millions of photomultiplier tubes, and the rigorous calibration of the system. These subsequent steps are equally complex and vital to the experiment’s success.
The Hyper-Kamiokande project is an international collaboration involving researchers from over 20 countries and numerous institutions. This global effort highlights the shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and addresses fundamental questions about the universe that transcend national borders.
The University of Tokyo, as a leading institution in particle physics research, is at the forefront of this ambitious undertaking. The successful completion of the super-large cavern excavation is a proud moment for all involved and a significant step towards realizing the groundbreaking scientific discoveries that Hyper-Kamiokande is expected to deliver in the coming years. This achievement brings us closer to observing phenomena that could reshape our understanding of the fundamental laws of nature.
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東京大学 published ‘ハイパーカミオカンデ計画：超巨大空洞の掘削を完了’ at 2025-08-05 05:00. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.