Update on SuperK Detector Failure

This note came in from Director Totsuka to the press and other scientists. Hemos and I felt it deserved more than just a regular SlashBack reference, as we feel that this is an important project. (I belive this comes form a translation from japanese, so forgive the errors) this is an update to the original post on the Super-K malfunction.

As a director of the Kamioka Observatory, which owns and is responsible to operate and maintain the Super-Kamiokande detector, it is really sad that I have to announce the severe accident that occurred on November 12 and damaged the significant part of the detector. The cause and how to deal with the lo ss in future will be discussed by newly found committees. However, even before discussing with my colleagues of the Super-K and K2K collaborations, I have decided to express my intension on behalf of the staff of the Kamioka Observatory.

We will rebuild the detector. There is no question. The strategy may be the following two steps, which will be proposed and discussed by my colleagues.

• 1. Quick restart of the K2K experiment.
  • (1) We will clear the safety measures which may be suggested by the committees.
  • (2) reduce the number density of the photomultiplier tubes by about a half.
  • (3) use the existing resources.
  • (4) resume the K2K experiment as soon as possible; the goal may be within one year.
  2. Preparation for the JHF-Kamioka experiment.
  • (1) Restore the full Super-Kamiokande detector armed with the state-of-the-art techniques.
  • (2) The detector will be ready by the time of the commissioning of the JHF machine.

To achieve our objective is formidable but we are determined to do so. But we certainly need your encouragement, advice and help. I should appreciate it very much if you could support our effort as you have kindly done so before.

Best regards,
Yoji Totsuka
director, Kamioka Observatory
On behalf of the Kamioka Observatory staff

Comments

Repair estimates top $30M

[Camel Pilot]

It has been estimated that the US will spend $100 Billion in a year pursuing justice in the hinterlands of Afghanistan. That comes out to approximately $300 million per day! Or we will spend what is required to fix the SuperK in 12 hours. Kind of puts things in perspective.

I know it felt funny when you wrote this....

[Cplus]

...but my major love of /. back in the day was that people who knew a little bit about the topic would chip in and we'd all learn more. My problem with /. today is that every jerkass with a wisecrack speaks up. Please Taco, we need a dumbass filter, now more than ever.

I expect that my comment will be modded down, as it is entirely offtopic, but I pray, with /. in mind that the parent gets modded down first and that others cry out against the idiocy that is running rampant on our beloved site.

Perhaps we should have two sections to every story, a 'for play' section and a 'for real' section where those that are informed can spread the knowledge.

Thank You