World's deepest, largest underground lab operational in China

This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2023 shows the first phase of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

CHENGDU, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation.

The Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF) is located beneath Jinping Mountain in Sichuan's Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

The DURF, with a total room capacity of 330,000 cubic meters, is the second phase of China Jinping Underground Laboratory. It started construction in December 2020 and was jointly built by Tsinghua University and Yalong River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd.

The DURF will become a world-class interdisciplinary deep underground scientific research center integrating multiple disciplines including particle physics, nuclear astrophysics and life sciences, to facilitate the development of China's research in relevant frontier fields, said Yue Qian, a professor at Tsinghua University. ■

This photo taken on Nov. 8, 2023 shows the tunnel entrance of China Jinping Underground Laboratory in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

This aerial photo taken on Nov. 8, 2023 shows the tunnel entrance of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2023 shows an interior view of the China Jinping Underground Laboratory in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie)

This aerial photo taken on Sept. 15, 2023 shows a view of the Jinping Mountain beneath which the China Jinping Underground Laboratory is located, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province. A 2,400-meter-deep physics laboratory in southwest China's Sichuan Province became operational on Thursday, making it the deepest and largest underground lab in the world.

Scientists believe the laboratory provides a "clean" space for them to pursue the invisible substance known as dark matter. They said the extreme depth helps block most cosmic rays that mess with the observation. (Yalong River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)