US lab’s 60-ton ‘giant cage’ detector filters ‘fake’ cosmic noise with 99.99% accuracy

The research team with the fully installed CRV detector in the Mu2e building at Fermilab.Argonne National Laboratory Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have successfully commissioned a “giant cage” detector at Fermilab. The device is capable of filtering out 99.99% of cosmic background noise, and its commissioning marks the completion of a critical technical milestone. This development clears the path for the Mu2e (muon-to-electron conversion) experiment, which is scheduled to begin its search for “new physics” in 2027. The “99.99%” necessity The Mu2e experiment is hunting for a needle in a haystack of cosmic proportions. It seeks to observe a muon—a heavier cousin of the electron—transforming directly into an electron without emitting any other particles. Current theories (the Standard Model) predict this is nearly impossible. But observing even a few of these events would prove the existence of unknown particles or forces. However, in this quest, cosmic rays present a massive challenge. High-energy particles from space constantly bombard Earth, creating “fake” signals that mimic the rare muon-to-electron transition. To solve this, the Argonne team engineered the CRV, which is a 60-ton subsystem consisting of 83 modules. During a rigorous two-year performance evaluation recently concluded, the team confirmed the CRV meets its strict design requirement, which has been detecting and rejecting 99.99% of cosmic-ray muons. “The CRV is essential because it screens out background noise that could mimic this event,” said Yuri Oksuzian, an Argonne physicist. “Observing even a few cases of the event would be compelling evidence of new physics.” A high efficiency The CRV operates as a massive shield surrounding the Mu2e apparatus. The CRV’s construction required precision engineering, as it features thousands of plastic strips that produce light photons when a muon passes through. “It consists of 83 modules, which together weigh about 60 tons,” ANL highlighted. Specialized fibers then carry that light to sensors called silicon photomultipliers, which record the exact nanosecond of a muon’s arrival. If the CRV detects a cosmic muon just before an electron appears in the main experiment, the system automatically rejects that data as “noise.” Without this 99.99% efficiency, thousands of “fake” events would flood the data over the experiment’s five-year run, making it impossible to distinguish a true discovery from background interference. Global effort for new discovery The commissioning of the CRV is the result of a massive collaborative effort involving over 200 scientists from 30 institutions. This collaboration includes Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, Northern Illinois University, Kansas State University, and the University of South Alabama. As the CRV begins its role in collecting background data, other Mu2e subsystems will undergo testing over the next year. If the experiment succeeds in its 2027 run, it could answer some of the deepest mysteries in science, including the nature of dark matter and the limitations of the Standard Model. “The discovery would fundamentally change our understanding of how the universe works,” Oksuzian concluded. Thanks to a 99.99% success rate in screening the stars, that discovery is now closer than ever. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByAman TripathiAn active and versatile journalist and news editor. He has covered regular and breaking news for several leading publications and news media, including The Hindu, Economic Times, Tomorrow Makers, and many more. Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech.TRENDINGLATEST1'World's first' humanoid robot for real household chores launched with 16-hour battery2Video: US Army's next-gen combat vehicle adds autonomy, 50 mm cannon power3Korean scientists develop eco-friendly thermoelectric material to turn heat into electricity4Watch: US firm's semicircular wings maximize VTOL's upward lift, could change aviation5'Snap like glass': First real-time view shows weakness in brittle lithium dendritesCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsSubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsMore from ScienceSee AllSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorWEAR YOUR GENIUSShop NowJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsSubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsMore from ScienceSee AllSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobThe research team with the fully installed CRV detector in the Mu2e building at Fermilab.Argonne National Laboratory Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have successfully commissioned a “giant cage” detector at Fermilab. The device is capable of filtering out 99.99% of cosmic background noise, and its commissioning marks the completion of a critical technical milestone. This development clears the path for the Mu2e (muon-to-electron conversion) experiment, which is scheduled to begin its search for “new physics” in 2027. The “99.99%” necessity The Mu2e experiment is hunting for a needle in a haystack of cosmic proportions. It seeks to observe a muon—a heavier cousin of the electron—transforming directly into an electron without emitting any other particles. Current theories (the Standard Model) predict this is nearly impossible. But observing even a few of these events would prove the existence of unknown particles or forces. However, in this quest, cosmic rays present a massive challenge. High-energy particles from space constantly bombard Earth, creating “fake” signals that mimic the rare muon-to-electron transition. To solve this, the Argonne team engineered the CRV, which is a 60-ton subsystem consisting of 83 modules. During a rigorous two-year performance evaluation recently concluded, the team confirmed the CRV meets its strict design requirement, which has been detecting and rejecting 99.99% of cosmic-ray muons. “The CRV is essential because it screens out background noise that could mimic this event,” said Yuri Oksuzian, an Argonne physicist. “Observing even a few cases of the event would be compelling evidence of new physics.” A high efficiency The CRV operates as a massive shield surrounding the Mu2e apparatus. The CRV’s construction required precision engineering, as it features thousands of plastic strips that produce light photons when a muon passes through. “It consists of 83 modules, which together weigh about 60 tons,” ANL highlighted. Specialized fibers then carry that light to sensors called silicon photomultipliers, which record the exact nanosecond of a muon’s arrival. If the CRV detects a cosmic muon just before an electron appears in the main experiment, the system automatically rejects that data as “noise.” Without this 99.99% efficiency, thousands of “fake” events would flood the data over the experiment’s five-year run, making it impossible to distinguish a true discovery from background interference. Global effort for new discovery The commissioning of the CRV is the result of a massive collaborative effort involving over 200 scientists from 30 institutions. This collaboration includes Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the University of Virginia, the University of Michigan, Northern Illinois University, Kansas State University, and the University of South Alabama. As the CRV begins its role in collecting background data, other Mu2e subsystems will undergo testing over the next year. If the experiment succeeds in its 2027 run, it could answer some of the deepest mysteries in science, including the nature of dark matter and the limitations of the Standard Model. “The discovery would fundamentally change our understanding of how the universe works,” Oksuzian concluded. Thanks to a 99.99% success rate in screening the stars, that discovery is now closer than ever. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByAman TripathiAn active and versatile journalist and news editor. He has covered regular and breaking news for several leading publications and news media, including The Hindu, Economic Times, Tomorrow Makers, and many more. Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech.TRENDINGLATEST1'World's first' humanoid robot for real household chores launched with 16-hour battery2Video: US Army's next-gen combat vehicle adds autonomy, 50 mm cannon power3Korean scientists develop eco-friendly thermoelectric material to turn heat into electricity4Watch: US firm's semicircular wings maximize VTOL's upward lift, could change aviation5'Snap like glass': First real-time view shows weakness in brittle lithium dendritesCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsSubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsMore from ScienceSee AllSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorWEAR YOUR GENIUSShop NowJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsSubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesThe optical engineering behind Star Catcher's 1.1 kW testSpaceNASA chief Jared Isaacman on 'lessons learned' from Starliner, the future of ArtemisCase StudiesEngineers are teaching concrete to heal itself, and it’s workingScienceWhy airplanes stay safe even during violent airflow changesInnovationInside the Arctic outpost powering Europe’s laser communication ambitionsMore from ScienceSee AllSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorSciencePaleontologists identify 250-million-year-old fossil egg of mammal ancestorScienceSwiss scientists crack quantum noise problem with 99.9% accurate swap gateScienceWorld-first: Scientists observe particles emerging from nothing in colliderScience289-million-year-old mummy fossil presents earliest evidence of rib-based breathingScienceWorld-first: Quantum ground state of rotation achieved in silica nanorotorJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee Job