An overview of the KamLAND experiment

Abstract

KamLAND, a nuclear reactor ν̄ detector, is uniquely situated and designed to be maximally sensitive to the large mixing angle parameters of the MSW theory of ν oscillations. The KamLAND detector began to acquire data on 22 January 2002. This paper presents an overview of the detector, of the very low backgrounds and of the status of the detector performance as of September 2002. A discussion of the plan for a solar neutrino experiment is included.