1. WP3: R&D on ultra low-level detectors and facilities WP3: R&D on ultra low-level detectors and facilities LNGS: status and outlook

2. Development and strengthening of the ultra low-level background facilities (LNGS)  Extension of the Low Level Laboratory at LNGS  Development of new generation of HP-Ge detectors for ultra low-level applications  Set-up of ultra low-level scintillation counter systems  Ultra low-level gas counting (GNO counting lab) GNO Ultra low-level gas counting Ultra low-level HPGe detector @ LNGS

3.  Application of low background techniques to interdisciplinary fields (  ERMES) -low-level environmental radioactivity measurement and monitoring -Radiodating laboratory -Geophysics  Radiopurity of materials and purification techniques. -Set-up a database containing relevant information on radiopurity of materials commonly used for low background applications. Setting up an efficient database is not a trivial job. -Measurement of poorely known radiopurity of materials with possible applcations within ultra-low background esperiments - Cross-check of measuring methods available at the different labs.

4. Location (present and future) Present: 32 m 2 on one floor in service tunnel Future:  60 m 2 distributed on three floors in hall A

5. LVD GNO GNO/CUORICINO CRESST GERDA Location of new building in hall A: clean room capabilities new LLL

6. Recent developments  two new ultra low-level Germanium detectors developed in the MPI-K of Heidelberg; one will be assembled by the beginning of February, the other one until end of spring 2005;  requests from users of L.N.G.S. for space allocation in the laboratory: –ERMES in existing LLL –M-Cavern in existing LLL and at GNO –ILIAS related equipment at GNO

7. Planned improvements GeMPI II  re-design of sample handling equipment (glove box, air lock, crane)  flushing detector chamber with Rn-pure N2  stringent material selection  incremental improvements –shield for FET made out of Roman lead –low energy calibration source device removed –no end spring on crystal

8. 10 -1 10 0 10 1 10 2 10 3 10 4 10 5 10 6 Normalised counting rate [d -1 kg -1 ] 10 -2 Depth [m w.e.] 0 3000 100020004000 5000 Muon fluence rate [a.u.] 1993 1996 1997 LNGS

9. M-Cavern Gas Proportional Chamber (GPC)  10 counting positions  lead and copper shielding in acrylic box flushed with pure nitrogen  GALLEX/GNO counter design  gas handling system –ultra low-level gas chromatography –essentially "Rn free" gas handling –rare gases (few atom samples) –gaseous metal compounds (e.g. Ho)

11. - coincidence system  new low background project to combine miniaturized gas proportional counters in a well-type HPGe-detector using screened low background material for Ge detector  modified proportional counters custom built to fit into existing well-type Ge detector

12. Research applications pursued in M-Cavern  ultra low-level chemistry (atom counting, metal atoms into gas counters)  Particle Astrophysics (material and techniques applicable to DM search)  Space Science (e.g. micro meteorites, Mars samples, cosmic activation products, comet tail samples)  Atmospheric samples (short lived isotopes, radionuclide composition)  Ocean samples (deep ocean water - Fe-60)