Neutrino probe goes under the ground

时间：2007-10-15 07:56:07

（单词翻译:单击）

SHENZHEN， Oct.15 - A China-US collaborated1 neutrino experiment expected to hopefully unravel2 one of the mysteries of the universe was launched at the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Shenzhen, in South China's Guangdong Province, on Saturday.

 

The Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is leading the experiment on neutrinos, which are elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.

 

More than 190 physicists4 from 34 research institutes of China, the US, Russia and the Czech Republic will work together for the experiment, including the Department of Energy (DOE) of the United States.

 

The experiment costs 250 million yuan ($32 million), one-third of which is foreign investment.

 

In order to shield the experiment from unwanted cosmic radiation, scientists have started to excavate5 a long tunnel in a mountain that is close to the reactors7.

 

When construction finishes, they will install the experiment facilities inside.

 

Construction is expected to be completed in 2009, and data collection will begin by the end of 2010.

 

The experiment is expected to reach its designed scientific goal by 2013.

 

The neutrino's properties have been known to researchers for years, yet still there are many unsolved puzzles.

 

Some unknowns include the actual mass of a neutrino, and whether a neutrino has any magnetic properties.

 

Research on neutrinos could give scientists an insight into the mass of the whole universe but also help them discover the secrets of the structure of matter and of planets in deep space.

 

Experts believe the final result of the experiment will unveil the mystery of anti-matter disappearance8 in the universe.

 

Robin9 Staffin, deputy director of Office of Science, DOE of the United States, said the experiment was a great human adventure and the US was proud to be a part of it.

 

Daya Bay is the best place in the world for this kind of experiment, prestigious10 international physicist3 Tsung Dao Lee said in a congratulatory letter for the experiment.

 

"Daya Bay has plenty of mountains and the high power of Daya Bay reactor6 provides a great amount of neutrinos for the experiment," Wang Yifang, the project leader, explained.

 

There are another two similar experiments located in France and Republic of Korea.

 

However, the Daya Bay experiment will provide the precise results physicists require.

 

Experts said the project was presently one of the most important physics experiments in the world.

 
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1 collaborated c49a4f9c170cb7c268fccb474f5f0d4f     
合作( collaborate的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾结叛国
参考例句：
  • We have collaborated on many projects over the years. 这些年来我们合作搞了许多项目。
  • We have collaborated closely with the university on this project. 我们与大学在这个专案上紧密合作。
2 unravel Ajzwo     
v.弄清楚（秘密）；拆开，解开，松开
参考例句：
  • He was good with his hands and could unravel a knot or untangle yarn that others wouldn't even attempt.他的手很灵巧，其他人甚至都不敢尝试的一些难解的绳结或缠在一起的纱线，他都能解开。
  • This is the attitude that led him to unravel a mystery that long puzzled Chinese historians.正是这种态度使他解决了长期以来使中国历史学家们大惑不解的谜。
3 physicist oNqx4     
n.物理学家，研究物理学的人
参考例句：
  • He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
  • The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。
4 physicists 18316b43c980524885c1a898ed1528b1     
物理学家( physicist的名词复数 )
参考例句：
  • For many particle physicists, however, it was a year of frustration. 对于许多粒子物理学家来说，这是受挫折的一年。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技
  • Physicists seek rules or patterns to provide a framework. 物理学家寻求用法则或图式来构成一个框架。
5 excavate eiBzY     
vt.挖掘，挖出
参考例句：
  • They plan to excavate a large hole.他们计划挖个大洞。
  • A new Danish expedition is again excavating the site in annual summer digs.一支新的丹麦探险队又在那个遗址上进行一年一度的夏季挖掘。
6 reactor jTnxL     
n.反应器；反应堆
参考例句：
  • The atomic reactor generates enormous amounts of thermal energy.原子反应堆发出大量的热能。
  • Inside the reactor the large molecules are cracked into smaller molecules.在反应堆里，大分子裂变为小分子。
7 reactors 774794d45796c1ac60b7fda5e55a878b     
起反应的人( reactor的名词复数 )； 反应装置； 原子炉； 核反应堆
参考例句：
  • The TMI nuclear facility has two reactors. 三哩岛核设施有两个反应堆。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法
  • The earliest production reactors necessarily used normal uranium as fuel. 最早为生产用的反应堆，必须使用普通铀作为燃料。
8 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失，消散，失踪
参考例句：
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
9 robin Oj7zme     
n.知更鸟，红襟鸟
参考例句：
  • The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
  • We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。
10 prestigious nQ2xn     
adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的
参考例句：
  • The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
  • You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

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