| ABSTRACT: |
The CERN neutrinos to Gran Sasso (CNGS) project, presently under
construction, is a collaboration between CERN and the Gran Sasso
Laboratory in Italy, with the aim to study neutrino oscillations in a long
base-line experiment.
An intense proton beam is extracted from the SPS accelerator at
400 GeV, transported through a 727 m long proton transfer line, before
impinging on a graphite target. Secondary particles created in the target
are directed towards Gran Sasso and will, in turn, decay in flight,
producing muon-type neutrinos. These neutrinos will travel 730 km
through the earth towards the Gran Sasso laboratory, where the
appearance of tau-type neutrinos will be studied.
The progress of the CNGS project is presented and the design and
main characteristics of the proton beam line are discussed.
In parallel with the installation of the general services, equipment
procurement, assembly and tests in the lab have been progressing. The
installation of equipment in the proton beam tunnel and the target
chamber is now starting. This installation work should be completed
early 2006 and will be followed by hardware commissioning and "dry runs".
CNGS commissioning with beam is scheduled to start end of May 2006.
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