NEUTRINO CATCHER — The 5,400-ton MINOS detector is now complete. Its 486 planes of steel are each eight meters wide and one inch thick, in an octagonal shape with a hole in the middle.

Underground neutrino ‘catcher’ completed

By Catherine Foster

Twenty years ago, Argonne scientists began tinkering around in a historic iron mine in Minnesota, looking for the theoretically predicted phenomenon of proton decay. They didn’t find it, but they did find something only a very few other physicists had seen -- atmospheric neutrino oscillations, the shifting of the tiny neutral particles from one type to another as they travel.

Atmospheric neutrinos are created when cosmic rays collide with air molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and have been observed only in deep underground particle detectors. The observation of neutrino oscillations proved that these elusive particles actually have tiny masses, instead of being massless as previously thought.

Over the years, the experiments at the Soudan mine have added knowledge to the fields of particle physics and cosmology, but the site is now on the threshold of a highly ambitious project to “catch” neutrinos fired from a new facility, the NuMI neutrino beamline, 450 miles away from the mine -- at Argonne’s neighbor, Fermilab, in Batavia.

Argonne scientists, in collaboration with colleagues from institutions in the U.S., Great Britain, Greece and Russia, designed and built the 5,400-ton “MINOS” detector at Soudan, which is now complete.

The detector stands a half-mile below ground, with 486 planes of steel, each eight meters wide and one inch thick, in an octagonal shape with a small hole in the middle. The 486 planes are perfectly aligned, so that magnet coils can be threaded through the planes to magnetize the device. The last plane was mounted in June of this year and the magnet coil was installed and turned on in July.

The detector’s job at Soudan, once the beam line at Fermilab is completed next year, will be to catch the muon neutrinos that have traveled from Fermilab, to see if the caught neutrinos have become electron or tau neutrinos -- proof of neutrino oscillation, said physicist David Ayres (HEP), who has been heavily involved with the construction of the device for the past five years. The MINOS experiment will make precise measurements to reveal just how oscillations take place and also to search for the hitherto unseen muon- to electron neutrino mode.

The giant project, called MINOS, is a testament to engineering, Ayres said. “Because of the curvature of the Earth, the path of the beam from Fermilab to Soudan goes through rock 10 kilometers deep at its deepest point, traveling 735 kilometers to Minnesota, where it will be centered on the target (the new MINOS detector) within a few meters.”

Neutrinos don’t interact much with other particles -- in fact, a couple of billion neutrinos just passed through your body while you were reading this sentence -- so the beam is very difficult to detect above normal background radioactivity and cosmic rays. This is why the MINOS detector is located deep underground and why it needs to be so massive.

Until that beam line at Fermilab is commissioned in early 2005, the detector will be put to use examining CPT symmetry. This fundamental prediction says most properties of matter and antimatter -- for example, particle and antiparticle masses -- are expected to very similar.

The researchers have now begun studying atmospheric neutrinos, looking for differences in the oscillations of neutrinos and antineutrinos using the magnetized steel planes of the detector to tell the difference between the two types of particles. Other experimental devices for studying atmospheric neutrinos do not have that capability.

“Everyone expects that CPT symmetry will be preserved by neutrinos, as it has been for other elementary particles -- but will it be?” Ayres said. “If neutrinos do violate CPT this could be an important step toward understanding how the world we live in came to be made of matter instead of equal amounts of matter and antimatter. It would be very exciting to answer that question.”

ASK THE DIRECTORATE

Q: I believe it would benefit the laboratory to open the west gate at 6 a.m. instead of the current time of 6:15. I feel it is losing too many man-minutes that add up to a lot of man-hours wasted waiting for the gate to open. Many a day, I have waited in a long line of cars. I am an early bird and travel a long distance to get to the lab, and the two extra miles it would take to enter the main gate adds just that much more mileage I put on my car each year. Can something be done about this matter?

A: The posted, published and contractual scope of work for the protective force subcontractor calls for manning and operating Westgate from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

However, when the laboratory assumed responsibility for the protective force contractor 2¹/₂ years ago, we informally adjusted the opening time to approximately 6:15 a.m. to accommodate early arrivers.

In response to your request for a 6 a.m. opening of the West Gate, we have determined that this change in the scope of work can be accommodated without modification of the contract and at minimal additional cost to the laboratory.

The PROFORCE contractor has adjusted schedules and guidance and implemented a 6 a.m. weekday opening of Westgate.

This administrative change is being implemented on a temporary basis subject to review in six months to validate the cost-effectiveness of the change.

In six months, if the volume substantiates continuation of this change, the protective force contract and posted hours of Westgate will be formally amended or revised to make this change permanent.

“Ask the Directorate” lets employees ask senior Argonne management direct questions about the laboratory’s operations, policy, strategy, mission, budget and goals. Employees should continue to refer job- or workplace-specific questions to their immediate supervisors.

Employees may submit questions to askthedirectorate@anl.gov or fax them to 2-5274. Only questions that include the name of the questioner and contact information, such as e-mail address, office extension or fax number, will be answered.

An appropriate member of the Argonne Directorate will answer each question, and the answer will be sent directly to the employee. In addition, the Argonne News will print selected responses. Those answers will be posted on the Web at www.anl. gov/OPA/ local/askthedirectorate/.

Questioners will remain anonymous in the Argonne News and on the Web.

Employees receive ‘02 Director’s Awards

Thirteen employees will be honored with 2002 Director’s Awards for outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions to the laboratory.

Recipients of the award are selected from among all of the Pacesetter Award winners from the previous year. Individuals and team members whose accomplishments are judged most significant are chosen for the award. Award recipients will receive a plaque and $1,000 for their contributions.

The Pacesetter Award recognizes employees who make an extraordinary effort to meet or exceed difficult deadlines or demands of a technical, administrative or sponsor-related nature. The award also honors employees for innovations, discoveries, program development and cost-cutting suggestions.

The winners of the 2002 Director’s Awards are:

John H. Vacca, Jon M. Lilge, Mike O’Connor, Brad Stacy, Eric Peterson, and Paul F. Niquette (all AOD) for outstanding contributions to the radiation safety program at the Advanced Photon Source by creating a complete shielding configuration database for all of the APS accelerators. The Health Physics Technician’s database monitors nearly 500 pieces of shielding of the APS accelerators through digital photography while they are removed, modified or redesigned.

David A. Haugen (EST-PA), Madonna M. Pence (IPD-MED), Kerri Schroeder (IPD) and Tom Barkalow (EQO) for their exemplary performance in revising the entire laboratory Environment, Safety and Health Manual in less than six months to reassign responsibilities as a result of the decentralization of the ESH functions at the laboratory. Their contribution included completing the radiological portion of the manual in addition to the revisions.

Stephen G. Johnson and Paul B. Snyder (both ENT) for their extraordinary effort in completing the project for transferring the radioisotope heat and power sources from Mound, Ohio to Argonne-West. The scientists prepared a proposal to move the materials, including a NASA-owned generator that required exceptional care and maintenance. Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, vulnerability assessments were performed and this project was found to be urgent because of the need to move the material to a higher security location.

Kimberly A. Martens (HR) for her extraordinary effort in drafting and facilitating the certification of the compensation system. Her efforts included ceaseless communication with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Board of Governors Compensation Committee. By certifying the system, DOE indicated that the laboratory had a system that demonstrated continuous improvement, creativity and effectiveness.

Charlie Catlett (MCS) for his extraordinary efforts in bringing the I-WIRE project from concept to reality. I-Wire will provide Illinois and Argonne with a computer research network that is unequaled anywhere in the world in terms of its capacity and capabilities. I-WIRE is an optical “dark fiber” network linking some of Illinois’ major research institutions and universities. Catlett worked with vendors, industry, federal agencies and the university partners to complete the project, for which Governor Ryan provided funds in 2002.

MCS to host theory institute on optimization

Argonne’s Mathematics and Computer Science Division will host a Theory Institute on Global Optimization Sept. 8-11 at Argonne-East.

The aim of the Global Optimization Institute is to review, evaluate and chart future directions in deterministic global optimization algorithms and software. These problems arise in major applications, but their solution is intractable except in special cases.

The Global Optimization Institute is being organized by Sven Leyffer and Jorge Moré (both MCS). The institute will consist of invited presentations from prominent researchers in theoretical and computational global optimization with significant scientific applications. Ample time has been allotted for questions and discussions among participants.

Invited speakers include

Claire S. Adjiman (Imperial College London, UK)

Paul I. Barton (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

R. Stephen Berry (University of Chicago)

Richard Byrd (University of Colorado, Boulder)

Steven Dirkse (GAMS Corporation)

Chris Floudas (Princeton University)

R. Baker Kearfott (University of Louisiana at Lafayette)

Jeffrey T. Linderoth (Lehigh University)

Laurent D. Michel (University of Connecticut)

Arnold Neumaier (Universität Wien, Austria)

Panos M. Pardalos (University of Florida)

Nikolaos V. Sahinids (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Harold A. Scheraga (Cornell University)

Linus E.Schrage (University of Chicago)

The Global Optimization Institute is open to Argonne researchers, but attendance is limited to 50 participants. Interested researchers should register with Judy Beumer (MCS) at beumer@mcs.anl.gov by Monday, Sept. 1.

For more information, visit the Global Optimization institute Web site, or contact Leyffer at leyffer@mcs.anl.gov Moré at more@mcs.anl.gov.

Pre-retirement planning talks to be offered

Human Resources will offer a pre-retirement planning program at Argonne-East this fall for employees age 55 and above who plan on retiring within the next few years.

The one-day program encourages employees to begin positive planning for retirement and to begin action on those plans prior to retirement. The program will cover Argonne retirement benefits, distribution options and related tax issues, financial planning, estate planning, Social Security and Medicare.

The next program will be held in the fall and spouses are welcome. Space will be limited.

To reserve a seat, or for more information, contact Julie Losinski (HR) at jlosinski@anl.gov or ext. 2-2992.

Club plans fun run, walk

The Argonne Running Club will hold its monthly Fun Run and Walk at Argonne-East Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The 3.1-mile run and two-mile walk will begin and end at the pool pavilion, just to the east of the pool, at noon. After the event, refreshments will be served and a raffle will be held, with prizes furnished by Human Race Sports in Orland Park.

The fun run and walk is free to all employees, spouses, families, visitors, and students. For more information, visit the running club’s Web site.

ANL-E Badging Office moves to visitor center

The employee Badging Office at Argonne-East, now located in Building 302, will relocate to Building 224, the Argonne Information Center, on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

The office will be closed Aug. 28-29 to accommodate the relocation.

Normal badging operations are expected to resume Sept. 2.

Coupon book sales to fund scholarships

Coupon books offering savings at local restaurants and stores will be sold to help raise funds for the Argonne-East chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

“Entertainment 2004” coupon books will be available beginning in September for the north-northwest, west-central and south-southwest areas of Chicago and its suburbs. Books are $20 each and will be available from Pat Frankovich (EQO) at ext. 2-5700 or frankovich@anl.gov through the month of September.

Proceeds will benefit the IAAP’s high school scholarship program.

Holiday to change deadlines

Due to the Labor Day Holiday, news items, seminar listings and classified ads for the Sept. 8 issue of Argonne News must be submitted by noon on Friday, Aug. 29.

Guest House closes for Labor Day; grill open

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Guest House Restaurant will be closed Saturday, Aug. 30, Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 1.

The 402 Grill will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1.

Employee opinion survey ends Aug. 29

The employee opinion survey ends Aug. 29.

The results of the survey will enable the laboratory to better assess its strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement.

The survey is being administered by International Survey Research (ISR) and is available online at www.isrsurveys.net/argonne. The password is “Argonne.”

The survey can be completed in less than 20 minutes, and each employee’s input will be kept confidential.

Employees who do not have access to a computer can obtain a paper copy of the survey from their division offices. Paper copies should be completed and deposited in the “ISR Survey Return Box” located in the Human Resources lobby in Argonne-East’s Building 201, or the box in the Human Resources office at Argonne-West’s Building 710.