The Development of Deep Underground Science Facilities

Abstract

Deep underground science facilities provide access to the low radiation environment required to undertake several strands of particle physics and astro-particle physics experiments, such as Galactic dark matter searches, man-made, terrestrial, solar and supernova neutrino studies and 0νββ-decay studies. In addition, new threads of research focused on deep sub-surface biology, chemistry, geology and engineering have been developed at several sites. Several of these deep underground facilities are going through a period of expansion, with several new facilities planned or in early stages of construction. This will provide significant additional capability to this field of study. This paper summarises the developments at these facilities, focused on those laboratories where expansion is underway or planned.