Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) Site Selection and Technical Design Development

Homestake提案提交了一份概念设计报告，以回应DUSEL招标3 (S3, nsf -6 -614)，该招标概述了在Homestake矿山建立深部地下科学与工程实验室（DUSEL）的计划。Homestake矿山是一座金矿，位于南达科他州Lead西北约45英里处，不再用于采矿活动。该项目占地面积、建筑和基础设施的所有权以及拟建实验室的相关地下空间（约186英亩地表面积、800英亩地下面积以及相应的7700英亩相关矿业权）已转让给南达科他州科学技术管理局（SDSTA），该机构是由南达科他州成立的一个实体，永久拥有该物业。SDSTA是由州政府创建的，目的是重新开放霍姆斯特克矿山，并将其转变为一个专门的科学、工程和教育中心。该提案要求提供资金，以便在今后三年内按照第3部分所述的指导方针开发该设施的技术设计。该提案提出了一系列将由DUSEL解决的科学和工程问题，构成了一个具有强大智力价值的项目。该提案提出的物理学和天体物理学问题是暗物质的性质；中微子可以继续教给我们什么；与早期宇宙相比，今天明显的物质-反物质不对称，以及解决这一问题的CP违背实验的可能性；通过质子衰变研究物质的基本稳定性通过研究太阳中微子通量来研究宇宙是如何演化的；以及其他一些重要的话题。还讨论了通过地球微生物学、地球化学和生物学的合作，在极端条件下进化的地下黑暗生命的研究；岩石孔隙度、强度、应力、内部热流等特征的基础地学研究；大尺度上热、水文、化学、机械和生物耦合过程的原位研究；水文和水的纯度；核废物和其他地下废物处置；对地面探测器或钻孔进行的大规模地下成像和测绘试验，包括为阐明地震原因而进行的地震研究；为跨学科的重要的新的智力协同创造机会。在提案中，教育和推广计划被描述为“两个总体目标：1)提高公众对科学研究的理解和欣赏；2)利用实验室的资源来解决科学、技术、工程和数学领域有充分记录的管道问题，特别是在代表性不足的少数群体中。”为了实现这一目标，报告列举了一系列问题和方法，部分原因是需要通过技术领域（科学、技术、工程和数学）的教育来增强和保持“美国的竞争力和全球管理地位”。重点是制定一种与该设施的发展和目标密切结合的更广泛影响的办法。解决了在地下环境中方便访问的动手游客体验，以及在科学和技术领域中历史上代表性不足的群体的努力；对公众进行科学教育；为学生提供与dusel相关的研究；支持K-12教师和招聘未来教师；与区域机构合作；通过“改善与科学有关的企业的区域环境和加强本地经济”来发展经济机会；发展虚拟环境，促进更广泛的与非本地的知识和教育联系；创造一个支持性的整体气候和基础设施，鼓励与DUSEL研究社区的互动；还有其他的想法和策略。该矿由一系列广泛的（约370英里）现有的巷道和竖井组成，大约有60层，延伸到地下8,150英尺；该方案包括利用现有空间和基础设施升级和扩建，以最深层次构建科学和工程工作空间。主要研究空间规划在300层、4850层、7400层和8000层。该设计要求在300层、4850层和7400层分别有10,000、65,000和50,000平方英尺的实验室空间。进入4850层是通过两个竖井（Ross和Yates），每个竖井能够携带大约标称（最大）12,000（13,400）磅有效载荷，并且具有相似的最大笼尺寸（~ 1.4 × 3.7 x2.2米高）；6号窗，同样的容量，提供以下的通道。4850层和8000层之间的现有坡道系统为二次出口提供了一条路径，也为设备和建筑材料提供了另一条运输路径。在4850层的主要挖掘是在耶茨和普尔曼岩层中，建筑穿过该边界。该提案要求在未来三年内提供大约1500万美元的资金，用于开发地下空间和场地基础设施的技术基线设计和相关项目计划，以支持设想的实验计划。该团队实现的设计预计将考虑Homestake DUSEL用于主要研究设备和设施建设（MREFC）的实施。

The Homestake proposal presents a Conceptual Design Report in response to DUSEL Solicitation 3 (S3, NSF-06-614) that outlines plans for a Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the Homestake Mine, a gold mine no longer in active use for mining activities, located approximately 45 miles northwest of Lead, South Dakota. Title to the property footprint, buildings and infrastructure, and associated underground spaces for the proposed Laboratory approximately 186 surface acres, 800 underground acres, and associated mineral rights for the corresponding 7,700 acres - was transferred to the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority (SDSTA), an entity established by the State of South Dakota, which owns the property outright and in perpetuity. The SDSTA was created by the State to re-open the Homestake Mine and convert it to a dedicated center for science, engineering and education. The proposal requests funds to develop a technical design of the facility over the next three years, consistent the guidelines stated in S3.The proposal presents full and rich array of scientific and engineering questions that would be addressed by DUSEL, constituting a program of strong intellectual merit. The physics and astrophysical questions the proposal puts forward are the nature of dark matter; what neutrinos can continue to teach us; the matter-antimatter asymmetry evident today relative to the early universe and the possibility of CP violation experiments to address this issue; probing the fundamental stability of matter through study of proton decay; investigations of how the universe evolved through studies of the solar neutrino flux; and other topics of fundamental interest. Also discussed are studies of dark life underground that evolves in extreme conditions, through collaborative efforts in geomicrobiology, geochemistry, and biology; basic geoscience studies of rock porosity, strength, stresses, internal heat flow and other characteristics; in situ studies of coupled thermal, hydrological, chemical, mechanical, and biological processes on a large dimensional scale; hydrology and water purity; nuclear and other underground waste disposal; large-scale tests of subsurface imaging and mapping from surface detectors or boreholes, including seismic studies for elucidation of causes of earthquakes; and the creation of opportunities for important new intellectual synergies across disciplines. The education and outreach program is described in the proposal as having "two overarching goals: 1) to enhance understanding of, and appreciation for, scientific research among the general public; and 2) to leverage the resources of the laboratory to address well documented pipeline issues in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, especially among under-represented minorities." It cites a broad list of issues and approaches to accomplish this, motivated in part by the identified need to enhance and maintain "American competitiveness and global stewardship" through education in technical fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics.) Emphasis is placed on developing an approach to broader impacts that is intimately integrated with the development and aims of the facility. Accommodating easily accessed hands-on visitor experience in the underground environment is addressed, as are efforts to include historically underrepresented groups in areas of science and technology; science education for the general public; enabling DUSEL-related research for students; supporting K-12 teachers and recruitment for future teachers; partnering with regional institutions; developing economic opportunities by "enhancing the regional climate for science-related entrepreneurship and strengthening the local economy;" developing virtual environments to facilitate broader, non-local intellectual and educational connections; creating a supportive overall climate and infrastructure that encourages interaction with the DUSEL research community; and other ideas and strategies. The mine consists of an extensive series (~ 370 miles) of existing drifts and shafts, at approximately 60 levels, extending to 8,150 feet below ground; the proposal consists of using existing spaces and infrastructure upgrades and expansions to construct scientific and engineering work spaces to the deepest level. Principal research spaces are planned for the 300, 4850, 7,400 and 8,000 levels. The design calls for 10,000, 65,000 and 50,000 square feet of laboratory space at the 300, 4,850 and 7400 levels, respectively. Access to the 4,850 level is via two shafts (Ross and Yates), each capable of carrying an approximate nominal (maximum) 12,000 (13,400) pound payload and with similar maximum cage dimensions (~ 1.4X3.7X2.2m high); the No. 6 Winze, of similar capacity, provides access below these levels. An existing ramp system between the 4,850 and 8000 levels provides a path for secondary egress as well as an alternate transport path for equipment and construction materials. Primary excavations at the 4,850 level are in the Yates and Poorman rock formations, with construction traversing that boundary.The proposal requests approximately $15M in total funds over the next three years to develop a technical baseline design and associated project plan of the underground spaces and site infrastructure that would be needed to support the envisioned experimental program. The design realized by the team is expected to allow consideration of Homestake DUSEL for Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) implementation.