Background

SNOLAB is Canada's leading edge astroparticle physics research facility located 2 km underground in the Vale Inco Creighton Mine. The project began in 1990 as the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) designed to solve the Solar Neutrino Problem which was the apparent discrepancy that the number of neutrinos observed emanating from the Sun was between one third and one half of what theory predicted. In a series of measurements published between 2001 and 2006, SNO conclusively proved that the solar neutrino deficit was caused by a property of the neutrino by which it changed "flavour" from the type produced by the Sun (electron neutrinos) to other types (predominantly muon neutrinos). With the successful completion of its experimental program, the SNO experiment ended data taking in 2006 and decommissioned in 2007. The enormous success of the SNO experiment proved the value of deep underground physics laboratories and the SNO measurement has led to more questions about the nature of neutrinos and the composition of the Universe that can only be answered in experiments sited underground. Thus in 2002, Carleton University, Laurentian University, Queen's University, University of British Columbia, University of Guelph and University de Montreal (five of these universities were part of the SNO experiment) put forward a proposal to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for the creation of a new international facility dubbed SNOLAB. As an expansion of the existing SNO underground facility, SNOLAB would be able to house several experiments simultaneously. This is a significant improvement over the existing facility which only had space for the SNO experiment. In June 2002, CFI announced funding for SNOLAB. With additional funds from the province of Ontario, SNOLAB is approximately three times larger than the original SNO facility and is designed to provide space for the next generation of astroparticle physics experiments that require deep underground sites to shield from the backgrounds caused by cosmic rays. These new experiments will explore the properties of neutrinos, expand our understanding of the energy production mechanisms in the Sun and search for Cosmic Dark Matter - the so called "missing mass" in the Universe. The construction for SNOLAB began in 2004 with a new surface facility coming on line in 2005 and the expanded underground laboratory expected to be occupied in mid 2008. Early occupancy of the new laboratory has already begun with two Dark Matter experiments - PICASSO and DEAP-1 housed in the existing SNO facilities. Construction for a larger experiment, DEAP/CLEAN is expected to begin this year. Conversion of the apparatus used in the SNO experiment to a new project called SNO+ which will measure the flux of low energy solar neutrinos and the search for neutrinoless double beta decay will start in 2009.

Media Tours

Media tours of SNOLAB can be arranged. Please contact :

Samantha Kuula
Education Outreach
705-692-7000 x 2222
skuula@snolab.ca
or contact
media@snolab.ca

Film crews should be aware that there are restrictions on filming at the site:

Wireless equipment is in general not permitted underground do to possible interference with mining activities. This includes wireless microphones typically used with video recording equipment and cell phones. Any wireless equipment must be tested prior to its use. Testing must be arranged in advance. It is strongly recommend that wireless microphones not be used.

Filming in the Vale Inco areas must be approved in advance. Please indicate if such filming is desired and SNOLAB will assist with the approval. As well, contact lenses are not permitted underground. If corrective lenses are required, please wear glasses.