BAIKAL DEEP-UNDERWATER NEUTRINO TELESCOPE

Institute for Nuclear Research

Date of commissioning (first-stage array): April 1993.

Fields of science

Physics, astronomy, Earth sciences (elementary particle physics, cosmic rays, neutrino astrophysics, and physical limnology).

Fields of research

• Investigation of natural neutrino flux at energies above 10 GeV.

• Search for isotropic flux of extra-terrestrial neutrinos produced inside active objects in the universe.

• Search for directional high-energy neutrino fluxes from supernova bursts, neutrino stars, the centre of our galaxy, and active nuclei of neighbouring galaxies.

• Search for new particles such as heavy magnetic monopoles, neutralinos, quark nuggets, etc., at super-high sensitivity.

• Experimental research in the field of high-energy cosmic-ray physics.

• Investigation of physical processes in Lake Baikal water, modelling of natural and anthropogenic impacts on the Baikal ecology.

Main characteristics

Major advantages

The set-up is the world's only operating full-scale deep-water Cherenkov detector for elementary particles. Its nearest competitor, the US-Japanese DUMAND Project in Hawaii, will not start operation until the end of 1995. A deep-ice Cherenkov array in Antarctica will not begin operating until winter, 1996.

The Baikal detector, even in its present state, is one of the world's largest arrays for the investigation of cosmic-ray muons. Its size and deep-water location give it the best chance for locating superheavy magnetic monopoles and other dark-matter candidates.

The telescope, together with auxiliary acoustic and hydrologic systems, provides scientists with their first opportunity to simultaneously monitor characteristics of several cubic kilometers of the Baikal water.

Layout of the Baikal neutrino telescope: 1, 2, 3 - wire and optical cables to shore; 4, 5, 6 - string stations for shore cables; 7 - string station supporting the mechanical frame of the telescope; 8 - test string for the optical cable; 9, 10, 11 - autonomous string stations with acoustical equipment used for precise positioning; 12 - hydrology string station.

Deployment of the detecting modules

Current research

• Absolute limits of the RATAN-600 parameters.

• Intensity and angle of the deep-underwater distribution flux are being investigated for muons.

• Monopole search experiment is being conducted.

• Data obtained are being analysed to search for neutrino events and events produced by hypothetical dark-matter particles.

• Baikal water luminescence, optical parameters, and temperature, as well as water currents at various horizons are measured continuously.

Possible research

• A large volume of data has been collected with the first-stage array. The data processing can be expanded in all the above directions.

• The devices measuring water temperature, concentration of oxygen, currents, seismic activity, etc., can be attached to the telescope.

Main scientific results

• Intensity and angle distributions of cosmic-ray muons were measured. This allows us to determine muon absorption to a depth of 6 000 m, which agrees quite satisfactorily with theoretical predictions.

• The first limits were obtained for superheavy monopole flux, and are below a theoretical limit for small velocities (v/c = 0.0001).

• Baikal water luminescence was discovered and investigated.

Basic papers

I.A. Belolaptikov et al. (1990), The BAIKAL-experiment. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) Vol. 14, p. 51.

I.A. Belolaptikov et al. (1991), The lake Baikal deep underwater detector. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) Vol. 19. p. 388.

S.D. Alatin et al (1992), Physics capabilities of the second-stage Baikal detector NT-200. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) Vol. 28, p. 491.

L.B. Bezrukov et al. (1993), QUASAR-370. The Optical Sensor of the Lake Baikal Telescope. Proc. 3rd Int. NESTOR Workshop. Pylos, Greece, p. 645.

I.A. Belolaptikov et al. (1994), The Lake Baikal Underwater Telescope NT-36: First Months of Operation. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) Vol. 35. p. 290

I.A. Belolaptikov et al. (1994), Track reconstruction and background rejection in the Baikal neutrino telescope. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.) p. 301

Current financial support and co-operative projects

The Baikal neutrino telescope was created and its investigations are performed in co-operation with the DESY Institute for High-Energy Physics (Zeuthen, Germany). Some stages are supported by grants:

• Russian Foundation for Basic Research Grant 95-02-06446
• International Science Foundation Grants M5M000 and NN6000

Scientific and technical personnel

40 researchers and 30 technicians.

Possibilities for international exchange

Number of foreign scientists working at the installation: 9 man-year (DESY-IfH, Gemany).

Additional possibilities for receiving foreign specialists: 10 man-year.

Vacancies for accommodation of foreign scientists: 5 man-year.

General information

The telescope is located in the Irkutsk region, Sljudjanka district, at km 106 of the Baikal railway.

Russian Research Centre "Institute for Nuclear Research", Russian Academy of Sciences
60th October Anniversary Av. 7a, Moscow 117312
Phone: (095) 135-7760, 133-6585
Fax: (095) 135-2268
E-mail: domogats@hpbai1.ifh.de

Director of the Institute: Victor A. Matveev
Responsible person: Leonid B. Bezrukov

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Last updated December, 1995