Speaker
Description
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE), hosted by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and with its far detector located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, represents the flagship next-generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. As part of DUNE Phase-II, the third far detector module (FD3) is a critical milestone in expanding the experiment's physics reach, providing additional fiducial mass toward the full target of more than 40 kt of liquid argon equivalent across four modules. FD3, in combination with the other far detector modules and the upgraded near detector, will enable full sensitivity to CP violation and world-leading precision on key oscillation parameters.
FD3 builds upon the Vertical Drift Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber technology successfully validated through the ProtoDUNE programme at CERN. Its reference design retains the central cathode and dual-anode vertical drift architecture, with targeted upgrades to both the charge readout planes (CRPs) and the photon detection system. The collaboration is actively exploring the possibility of pixellated CRPs, which would provide true three-dimensional hit reconstruction without ambiguity, as an alternative or complementary approach. On the photon detection side, the FD3 reference design includes the APEX concept, integrating large-area photon detectors directly into the field cage structure, providing substantially improved photon coverage and enabling a low energy threshold for analysis.
This talk will present the ongoing R&D program for FD3, including activities at CERN's Neutrino Platform, and the projected physics impact of FD3 within the broader DUNE science program.