江门中微子实验运行，助力破解粒子物理和宇宙学前沿交叉热点难题

Core Insights - The Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) has officially begun data collection after completing the infusion of 20,000 tons of liquid scintillator, marking a significant milestone in neutrino research [1][3] - The initial data from JUNO indicates that its key performance metrics have met or exceeded design expectations, enabling the investigation of a major question in particle physics: the mass ordering of neutrinos [1][2] Group 1: Project Overview - JUNO is the first large-scale, high-precision neutrino detector in the world, designed to address fundamental questions about the nature of matter and the universe [1] - The project was proposed by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2008, with construction starting in 2015 and completion of the detector's installation in December 2021 [3] Group 2: Technical Specifications - The core detector of JUNO has an effective mass of 20,000 tons and is located 700 meters underground, allowing it to detect neutrinos from nearby nuclear power plants with unprecedented precision [2][4] - The detector's design includes a 41.1-meter diameter stainless steel shell supporting a 35.4-meter diameter acrylic sphere filled with liquid scintillator, along with numerous photomultiplier tubes for detecting neutrino interactions [4] Group 3: Future Prospects - JUNO has a designed operational lifespan of 30 years and can be upgraded to become the world's most sensitive experiment for neutrinoless double beta decay, potentially providing insights into the absolute mass of neutrinos and their nature [4] - The successful operation of JUNO is expected to open new avenues for research in particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology, significantly enhancing the understanding of the universe [4]