DUNE: science and status

TL;DR

DUNE is a comprehensive next-generation neutrino experiment aiming to determine neutrino properties, detect astrophysical neutrinos, and explore new physics, with advanced detectors and prototypes operational at CERN and Fermilab.

Contribution

This paper provides an overview of DUNE's scientific goals, detector technologies, and recent progress, including prototype operations and upgrades.

Findings

Successful operation of ProtoDUNE detectors at CERN.

Progress in optimizing detector prototypes for 2024-2025 data collection.

Implementation of a high-power neutrino beam with planned upgrades.

Abstract

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a next-generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. Its primary goal is the determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy and the CP-violating phase. The DUNE physics program also includes the detection of astrophysical neutrinos and the search for beyond the Standard Model phenomena, such as nucleon decays. DUNE will consist of a near detector complex placed at Fermilab, several hundred meters downstream of the neutrino production point, and 17-kton Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) far detector modules to be built in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), approximately 1.5 km underground and 1300 km away. The detectors will be exposed to a wide-band neutrino beam generated by a 1.2 MW proton beam, with a planned upgrade to 2.4 MW. Two prototypes of the FD technology, the ProtoDUNE 700 ton LArTPCs, have been operated at CERN for over 2 years, and have been recently optimized to take new data in 2024-2025. Additionally, the 2x2 Demonstrator, a prototype of the LAr component of the near detector, has recently started operations in the NuMI beam at Fermilab. This talk will present the science programme, as well as recent progress, of DUNE and its different prototyping efforts.