Borexino experiment
Definition
Borexino is a particle physics experiment designed to detect low-energy solar neutrinos. It is located deep underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory in Italy to shield it from cosmic radiation.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Borexino primarily detects neutrinos emitted from the proton-proton chain reaction in the Sun's core.
- The detector uses ultra-pure liquid scintillator to observe neutrino interactions.
- It has provided critical data on solar neutrino fluxes, confirming predictions of the Standard Solar Model.
- Borexino's findings have helped improve our understanding of neutrino oscillations and their properties.
- The experiment operates under extreme radiopurity conditions to minimize background noise.
Review Questions
- What type of particles does the Borexino experiment detect?
- How does Borexino minimize interference from cosmic radiation?
- Which key reaction in the Sun’s core does Borexino primarily study?
"Borexino experiment" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Related terms
Neutrino: A nearly massless subatomic particle that interacts very weakly with matter and is produced in nuclear reactions, such as those in the Sun's core.
Proton-Proton Chain Reaction: The dominant fusion process occurring in the Sun’s core, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium and release energy.
Neutrino Oscillation: A quantum phenomenon where a neutrino changes its type (flavor) as it travels through space.
