KM3NeT4RR
Kilometer Cube Neutrino Telescope for Recovery and Resilience
About
KM3NeT4RR is a project based on the Kilometre Cube Neutrino Telescope (KM3NeT), which is a large European research infrastructure comprising a deep-sea neutrino detector in the Mediterranean Sea, located off the coast of Portopalo di Capo Passero (Sicily, Italy).
The mission of KM3NeT is to implement and operate a world leading open observatory for the study of cosmic neutrino and multidisciplinary research.
Selected as a high-priority research infrastructure for European science and included in the 2016 and 2020 ESFRI roadmaps, KM3NeT will generate breakthroughs in:
– neutrino astronomy: with its superior angular resolution, it will allow to identify the sources of cosmic neutrinos, as well as to measure the energy spectra and flavour composition of the fluxes;
– marine sciences: it will offer large opportunities for sensor connection providing long-term, high-bandwidth, continuous data collection.
Moreover, these data can be correlated with the data from the neutrino detector itself, which can also monitor bioluminescent and bioacoustics activities and sea currents.
Besides the high potential for new discoveries, KM3NeT is strongly integrated with the regional and national territory. From the first stages of its preparation, its potential to generate positive socio-economic and environmental impacts has emerged.
Taking advantage of the gathered experience, the KM3NeT4RR project includes a set of activities to extend the seafloor network and the onshore infrastructures, and for preparation and operation of the components of the underwater detector, providing a significant boost toward final completion of the infrastructure. Education, Training and outreach will complete the picture and enhance the impact of the infrastructure on the territory.
In the next decade, KM3NeT will be the only site in Europe providing a unique opportunity to the scientific community of physicists, astronomers and marine scientists to push further their research frontiers
Objectives and ambition
The main objective of this project is the reinforcement of the present infrastructure doubling the available detector size, completing of the needed seafloor network and upgrading of the shore station and integration infrastructures. The deep-sea site, identified for the installation of the underwater research infrastructure, is located at a depth of 3500 m in the Ionian Sea. The site is already equipped with an underwater communication network comprising two electro-optical cables, connected to the shore, and a network of underwater junction boxes. The pre-project subsea research infrastructure also includes a first core of detection units and a system of acoustic emitters for acoustic triangulation positioning measurements. As a part of the development of this infrastructure, innovative technical solutions, already partially studied, will be implemented:
– the development of a high reliability broadband data communication system based on the most advanced DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology;
– a novel multi-PMT optical module with an integrated piezoelectric acoustic sensor;
– a system of tuning and nanosecond synchronization for large scale devices, based on the latest generation WhiteRabbit technology;
– a reliable and cost-effective technique of installation in deep-sea of underwater detection structures, even of high height, with a recoverable
– launcher vehicle;
– connection and release mechanisms of deep-sea structures operable by Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV); ad hoc solutions for mechanics of the base module and backbone cable.
With the aim to reinforce the existing infrastructure to reach the goal of having competitive scientific results in the field of astroparticle
physics and multi-messenger astronomy the project has been organized in working packages (WPs)
2+
Number of operating MEOC cables
10+
Number of operating Junction Boxes
131+
Number of operating Detection Units
2358+
Number of operating DOMs
Working packages
WP1 In this WP the coordination and management of all project activities (technical, administrative, and financial) will be addressed.
The main objectives of this WP are the Project Management, the Administrative Monitoring and financial reporting, Legal and ethical complianceand the monitoring and measuring scientific, economic and social outputs and impacts. Moreover, WP1 will manage the relations with MUR and will assure periodical reports on the project progress. WP1 is connected with all the other WPs.
Leader INFN – Veronica Valsecchi
OU(s) participating: INFN – LNS
WP2 To assure the reinforcement of the underwater infrastructure an adequate upgrade of all onshore laboratories is needed. The upgrade of the Capo Passero shore station, that hosts the Data Acquisition System and the control system of the subsea equipment is needed. Upgrades of the existing laboratories that are integration sites are also requested. This is needed to face the integration rate required by the project. Moreover, inside this WP an Environmental Monitoring Service will be set up for the long-term observation of the sea environmental parameters that can impact the performance of the detector. This WP is connected with WP6.
Leader INFN – Paolo Piattelli
OU(s) participating: INFN ( LNS, BA, BO, CT, GE, NA, RM1), Bari Polytechnic
WP3 Selected INFN laboratories are devoted to the Detection Unit integration process. This activity requires a large laboratory wit special equipment (overhead crane, customs made big instruments, …). To increment the DU rate integration, the extension of the already existing laboratory located in S. Nicola La Strada (Caserta) is needed. This WP is devoted to the design and realization of this extension.This WP is connected with WP6.
Leader University of Campania – Lucio Gialanella
OU(s) participating: Uni-Vanvit
WP4 To increment the production rate of the Digital Optical Module the construction of a dedicated infrastructure at the University of Salerno for DOM integration is requested. Strengthening of the Database and test/reporting software is also requested. This WP is connected with WP6.
Leader University of Salerno – Cristiano Bozza
OU(s) participating: UNI-SA
WP5 An important part of the offshore IR is the seafloor network that connects the Detection Units to the shore station and assure the inter-DU connection. The power/data are transferred to/from the infrastructure via main electro-optic cables connected to junction boxes. The extension of the existing seafloor network is the main activity of this WP. WP5 is connected with WP6
Leader INFN – Simone Biagi
OU(s) participating: INFN ( LNS, CT, RM1)
WP6 The Procurement and construction of all the components of the Detection Unit of the ARCA detector is the aim of this WP.
The increased size of the detector will allow an improvement of the detector sensitivity to cosmic neutrino fluxes, thus also increasing the importance of the detector in the multimessenger scenario.WP6 is connected with WP5.
Leader INFN – Pasquale Migliozzi
OU(s) participating: INFN ( NA, BA, LNS, CT, BO, GE), Uni-Vanvit, Uni-SA
WP7 This WP addresses items that are strictly related to the multimessenger activities. The upgrade to higher frequencies of an INAF radio telescope located near Noto (Sicily) is requested. Recent studies and some experimental evidence point out that high frequency radio emitting sources are good neutrino candidates thus making this upgrade and collaboration even more important. Follow-ups of sources in the radio and gamma emission band are also foreseen. Modelization of neutrino emission from other sources of cosmic neutrinos and activities for training of Phd students are also comprises in this WG.
Leader INFN – Rosa Coniglione
OU(s) participating: INAF ( OACT, OAPA), UniCT-DFA, Uni-GE, Uni-NA, Uni-Roma
WP8 – Education, Training and Outreach This WP addresses education, training and outreach activities paying particular attention to the development of the enterprise culture related to opportunities offered by the research infrastructure in the creation of added economical value and for the growth of our country and in particular of the southern regions.This will be achieved by means of innovative education and training rooms devoted to STEM valorization and to the multimessenger astrophysics and related technologies
Leader INFN – Marco Circella
OU(s) participating: INFN (LNS-BA), UniCT-DEI