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Kamiokande II

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Kamiokande II was a large underground water Cherenkov detector located in the Kamioka mine in Japan, designed to detect neutrinos and study various astrophysical phenomena, including supernovae. It was an important instrument in the field of neutrino astronomy and played a crucial role in the observation and study of supernova events.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Kamiokande II was a large-scale water Cherenkov detector, with a volume of approximately 3,000 metric tons of pure water, designed to detect neutrinos and other subatomic particles.
  2. The detector was located deep underground in the Kamioka mine in Japan, which provided shielding from cosmic radiation and allowed for the detection of low-energy neutrinos.
  3. Kamiokande II played a crucial role in the detection of neutrinos from the 1987 supernova event, known as Supernova 1987A, which was the first observed supernova explosion in modern times.
  4. The detection of neutrinos from Supernova 1987A provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of supernova explosions and the structure of the collapsed star.
  5. Kamiokande II's observations of supernova neutrinos also helped to confirm the standard model of particle physics and the properties of neutrinos, such as their oscillation between different flavors.

Review Questions

  • Explain the purpose and design of the Kamiokande II detector.
    • The Kamiokande II detector was a large-scale water Cherenkov detector designed to detect neutrinos and study various astrophysical phenomena, including supernova events. It was located deep underground in the Kamioka mine in Japan, which provided shielding from cosmic radiation and allowed for the detection of low-energy neutrinos. The detector's large volume of pure water was used to detect the Cherenkov radiation emitted by charged particles, such as neutrinos, as they passed through the water at a speed greater than the speed of light in that medium.
  • Describe the significance of Kamiokande II's observations of neutrinos from Supernova 1987A.
    • Kamiokande II played a crucial role in the detection of neutrinos from the 1987 supernova event, known as Supernova 1987A, which was the first observed supernova explosion in modern times. The detection of these neutrinos provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of supernova explosions and the structure of the collapsed star. Kamiokande II's observations of supernova neutrinos also helped to confirm the standard model of particle physics and the properties of neutrinos, such as their oscillation between different flavors.
  • Analyze how the design and location of the Kamiokande II detector contributed to its ability to study neutrinos and supernovae.
    • The Kamiokande II detector's location deep underground in the Kamioka mine in Japan provided crucial shielding from cosmic radiation, allowing it to detect low-energy neutrinos that would have been otherwise obscured. The large volume of pure water in the detector was essential for detecting the Cherenkov radiation emitted by neutrinos and other charged particles, enabling the study of various astrophysical phenomena, including the detection of neutrinos from Supernova 1987A. The combination of the detector's design and its strategic underground location were key factors that contributed to its success in neutrino astronomy and the observation of supernovae.