The next-generation liquid-scintillator neutrino observatory LENA

TL;DR

LENA is a proposed 50 kt liquid-scintillator neutrino detector designed for multi-purpose neutrino observations, including astrophysical, terrestrial, and oscillation studies, with a mature design ready for construction.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design and scientific goals of LENA, a next-generation neutrino observatory expanding capabilities beyond existing detectors.

Findings

Demonstrates LENA's potential for low-energy neutrino physics

Outlines LENA's technical design and readiness for construction

Highlights LENA's role in proton decay and long-baseline experiments

Abstract

We propose the liquid-scintillator detector LENA (Low Energy Neutrino Astronomy) as a next-generation neutrino observatory on the scale of 50 kt. The outstanding successes of the Borexino and KamLAND experiments demonstrate the large potential of liquid-scintillator detectors in low-energy neutrino physics. LENA's physics objectives comprise the observation of astrophysical and terrestrial neutrino sources as well as the investigation of neutrino oscillations. In the GeV energy range, the search for proton decay and long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiments complement the low-energy program. Based on the considerable expertise present in European and international research groups, the technical design is sufficiently mature to allow for an early start of detector realization.