The University of South Dakota

Experimental Nuclear and Astroparticle Physics Group

• The Experimental Nuclear and Astroparticle Physics group at the University of South Dakota conducts research in deep underground, low background experiments. We are actively involved in several major International experiments as well as leading several local R&D experiments and activities. Our group practices experimental nuclear physics experiments, background measurements, simulations, material science, and more. Several of our projects are conducted underground at the Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake in Lead, SD.

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The Center for Ultra-low Background Experiments at DUSEL (CUBED)

• The Center for Ultra-low Background Experiments at DUSEL (CUBED) is also a designated  South Dakota Governor's Research Center. CUBED allows USD and collaborators to more fully participate in experiments planned for the Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) under development at the former Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD. The Center's Director is Dr. Dongming Mei.
• Research objectives include developing a critical mass of expertise in the state to contribute to large-scale collaborations planned for DUSEL; increase the number of research faculty members and other research personnel in nuclear physics and materials sciences; compete effectively for external funding by maintaining a focus on areas of interest congruent with planned DUSEL experiments, in such areas as underground crystal growth, counting facility, purification/depletion facility for noble liquids, and underground electroforming of copper; and train and educate graduate and undergraduate students as a way to develop the scientific workforce for the state of South Dakota.