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

Homestake提案提出了一份概念设计报告，以响应DUSEL征集3（S3，NSF-06-614），该报告概述了在Homestake矿山（一个不再积极用于采矿活动的金矿，位于南达科他州Lead西北约45英里处）的深部地下科学与工程实验室（DUSEL）的计划。 拟建实验室的占地面积、建筑物和基础设施以及相关地下空间的所有权（约186英亩的地表面积、800英亩的地下面积以及相应7，700英亩的相关采矿权）已转让给南达科他州科学技术管理局（SDSTA），SDSTA是南达科他州成立的一个实体，永久拥有该财产。 SDSTA是由国家创建的，以重新开放霍姆斯特克矿，并将其转换为一个专门的科学，工程和教育中心。 该提案要求在未来三年内为该设施的技术设计提供资金，与S3中所述的指导方针保持一致。该提案提出了DUSEL将解决的全面而丰富的科学和工程问题，构成了一个具有强大智力价值的计划。 该提案提出的物理学和天体物理学问题是暗物质的性质;中微子可以继续教我们什么;相对于早期宇宙，今天明显的物质-反物质不对称性以及解决这个问题的CP破坏实验的可能性;通过研究质子衰变探索物质的基本稳定性;通过研究太阳中微子通量调查宇宙如何演变;以及其他一些重要的话题。 还讨论了在极端条件下发展的地下黑暗生命的研究，通过地质微生物学，地球化学和生物学的合作努力;岩石孔隙度，强度，应力，内部热流和其他特性的基础地球科学研究;耦合热，水文，化学，机械和生物过程的大尺度的原位研究;水文和水的纯度;核废物和其他地下废物处置;大规模测试地下成像和地面探测器或钻孔绘图，包括地震研究，以阐明地震的原因;以及为跨学科的重要的新的知识协同作用创造机会。 教育和推广计划在提案中被描述为有“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，工程和数学方面有据可查的管道问题，特别是在代表性不足的少数民族中。它列举了一系列广泛的问题和实现这一目标的方法，部分原因是确定了通过技术领域（科学，技术，工程和数学）教育加强和保持“美国竞争力和全球管理”的必要性。 重点是制定一种与该设施的发展和目标密切结合的办法，以产生更广泛的影响。 介绍了在地下环境中方便地获得亲身体验的游客体验，以及努力将历史上代表性不足的群体纳入科学和技术领域;面向公众的科学教育;为学生开展与DUSEL相关的研究;支持K-12教师和招聘未来的教师;与区域机构建立伙伴关系;通过“增强与科学有关的创业精神的区域气候和加强地方经济”来发展经济机会;发展虚拟环境，以促进更广泛的、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;和其他想法和战略。该矿山由一系列（约370英里）的现有巷道和竖井组成，约60个水平，延伸到地下8，150英尺;该提案包括利用现有空间和基础设施升级和扩建，以建造最深层次的科学和工程工作空间。 主要的研究空间计划为300，4850，7,400和8,000级。 设计要求在300、4,850和7400层分别有10,000、65,000和50,000平方英尺的实验室空间。 通过两个竖井（Ross和Yates）进入4，850层，每个竖井能够承载大约标称（最大）12，000磅（13，400磅）的有效载荷，并且具有类似的最大笼尺寸（约1.4X3.7X2.2m高）;具有类似容量的6号Winze提供这些层以下的通道。 现有的坡道系统之间的4,850和8000水平提供了一个路径的二次出口，以及一个替代的运输路径的设备和建筑材料。 4，850层的主要开挖位于Yates和Poorman岩层中，施工穿越该边界。该提案要求在未来三年内提供约1500万美元的资金，以制定技术基线设计和相关的地下空间和现场基础设施项目计划，以支持设想的实验计划。 该团队实现的设计预计将允许考虑Homestake DUSEL的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.