NEMO: A Project for a km$^3$ Underwater Detector for Astrophysical Neutrinos in the Mediterranean Sea

TL;DR

The NEMO project aims to develop a km$^3$ underwater neutrino detector in the Mediterranean, involving site characterization, feasibility, technology testing, and infrastructure deployment to detect astrophysical neutrinos.

Contribution

This paper reports on the comprehensive development and testing of underwater technology, site characterization, and infrastructure for the km$^3$ neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea.

Findings

Water optical and oceanographic parameters characterized at the site

Successful deployment of NEMO Phase 1 demonstrator at 2000 m depth

Progress in infrastructure development at 3500 m depth

Abstract

The status of the project is described: the activity on long term characterization of water optical and oceanographic parameters at the Capo Passero site candidate for the Mediterranean km$^3$ neutrino telescope; the feasibility study; the physics performances and underwater technology for the km$^3$; the activity on NEMO Phase 1, a technological demonstrator that has been deployed at 2000 m depth 25 km offshore Catania; the realization of an underwater infrastructure at 3500 m depth at the candidate site (NEMO Phase 2).