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Update on SuperK Detector Failure

Posted by chrisd on from the scientists-with-a-mission dept.

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

2 of 187 comments (clear)

  1. Somewhere in the Japan.... by zulux · · Score: 2, Troll


    Mr. Tanaka: You have failed the SuperK - Dr. E.! Our German contacts are not pleased with the latest ramifications of the 'device.'
    Dr. E.: Wah! But the Gaia force was in alignment, this can not be!
    Mr. Tanaka: Your latest failure is being undue attention to our cause.
    Dr. E.: Wah! But Pretty-Girl likes to SCUBA in the detector. Makes fresh-wind in water and boom - becomes divine-wind chain reaction.
    Mr X.: Doctor, your failure is now at hand!
    Dr. E: Wah! I give my body to the Emperor! Pretty-Girl, be saying Goodbye! (Slice) (Slice)

    --

    Moneyed corporations, non-working 'poor' and criminal prisoners are turning productive citizens into tax-slaves.

  2. Why TUBES ?? by green+pizza · · Score: 1, Troll

    I've been pouring over the details of this thing and something just doesn't sit right with me... the photomultiplier tubes. Why on earth would such a sensitive and crucial component be of an oldschool vacuum tube design? Did we learn nothing in the 1960s? I agree that it needs to rebuilt, but golly, use COTS (commercial, off the shelf) CCDs or similar.