Sanford Underground Research Facility News

The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), located in Lead, South Dakota, is one of the deepest underground research facilities in the United States. It is housed in the former Homestake Gold Mine, which was the largest and deepest gold mine in North America before it was converted into a dedicated science facility. This facility is particularly renowned for its cutting-edge research in physics, particularly in the fields of dark matter and neutrino research, where the deep underground setting provides a shield against cosmic radiation, thus creating an ideal environment for sensitive experiments.

SURF hosts a variety of experiments conducted by researchers from around the globe, including major projects like the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) experiment and its successor, the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, both aimed at detecting dark matter. Additionally, the facility supports studies in other scientific disciplines such as biology, geology, and engineering, particularly those that can benefit from its unique underground environment. The facility is not only a hub for advanced scientific research but also a center for education and outreach, offering programs that educate the public and inspire the next generation of scientists.