What is NOvA?

The NOνA experiment is designed to study νμ → νe oscillations in the existing NuMI neutrino beam using a 18 kiloton liquid scintillator detector.

The NOvA Experiment (Fermilab E929) will construct a detector optimized for electron neutrino detection in the existing NuMI neutrino beam. The primary goal of the experiment is to search for evidence of muon to electron neutrino oscillations. This oscillation, if it occurs, holds the key to many of the unanswered questions in neutrino oscillation physics. In addition to providing a measurement of the last unknown mixing angle, θ₁₃, this oscillation channel opens the possibility of seeing matter/anti-matter asymmetries in neutrinos and determination of the ordering of the neutrino mass states.

How does the Mechanical Department plan on supporting NOvA?

PPD Mechanical Department is actively supporting many aspects of the NOvA far and near detector construction including:

1. Stress analysis and stability calculations for the 50 foot tall, plastic detector

2. Design, analysis and assembly of the far detector block assembly and installation tooling (i.e. the block pivoter)

3. Analysis and installation of the Near Detector Support frames

4. Large volume scintillator production methods and commercialization of  these techniques

5. Quality control and production oversight for the PVC extrusions

6. Design, fabrication drawings and documentation for the detector electronics cooling systems for both the near and far detectors

7. Design, fabrication drawings and documentation for the near detector scintillator filling system distribution piping

8. Detector integration for the near and far detectors including solid modeling each detector, building, assembly tooling, utilities, and access platforms.

More Information:   NOvA Experiment Home