The SNO+ experiment at the University of Sussex
The Sussex SNO+ group
From left to right: Miroslav Mlejnek, Dr Lisa Falk, Dr James Waterfield, Mark Stringer, Dr Simon JM Peeters <S.J.M.Peeters AT sussex DOT ac DOT uk> (PI), Dr Martti Nirkko
The SNO+ experiment is a neutrino experiment at SNOLAB located 2 km underground in a Vale nickel mine in Sudbury, Ontaria, Canada. Our group is responsible for the calibration of the experiment (Dr Simon JM Peeters) but, as this is a relatively small particle physics collaboration, we are actively involved in many other aspects of the experiments and the analysis.
The aim of the SNO+ experiment is to understand neutrino particles better. Its focus is on determining the fundamental nature of the neutrino: is the neutrino its own anti-particle, or in technical terms: is it a Majorana particle? It does this by looking for so-called neutrinoless double-beta decay in the isotope 130Te.
The experiment is very versatile: it will study neutrinos from the Sun (and thus the details of the inner workings of our nearest star), Supernovae (if one occurs relatively nearby during the running of the experiment), the Earth and nearby nuclear power plants.
For more information, see our collaboration homepage.
PhD Studentships
Postgraduate opportunites can be found on our postgraduate vacancies page.
Undergraduate Student Projects
Faculty advisors: Dr Simon JM Peeters <S.J.M.Peeters AT sussex DOT ac DOT uk> Dr Lisa Falk <E.Falk AT sussex DOT ac DOT uk>
Your project could be in one of two areas: laboratory based work on a calibration system for the SNO+ experiment; or a software based project determining the best way to measure the properties of the neutrino.
Please contact one of the faculty advisers to discuss a possible project with us. We will always try to match your specific interests and skills to the current work that is ongoing.