About CURIE
CURIE Overview and Purpose
The Colorado Underground Research Institute (CURIE), located in the Edgar Experimental Mine (EEM) in Idaho Springs, Colorado, is designed as a versatile, shallow underground laboratory to facilitate low-background physics research. It benefits from approximately 200-meters of rock overburden, significantly reducing cosmic radiation—crucial for sensitive experiments requiring minimal interference.
The CURIE lab is housed in stable, gneiss rock formations that provide inherent safety and flexibility for locating experimental sites. The lab utilizes the EEM’s horizontal tunnels and infrastructure, including power, ventilation and compressed air and water systems.
Key Developments & Research Sites
CURIE operates within the EEM and consists of three primary research sites, each at different stages of development and tailored for specific experimental needs.
The infrastructure at CURIE includes robust ventilation, power systems and high-speed internet, making it not only a unique environment for physics research, but also highly accessible and versatile for different experimental setups.
Each site within CURIE is strategically developed to provide varying levels of environmental control and infrastructure, catering to a diverse range of research requirements. The phased development approach ensures that CURIE can progressively expand its capabilities to support cutting-edge scientific investigations.
Site 0 – Bureau of Mines Stope
- Site 0 is an existing area within the EEM, known as the Bureau of Mines Stope
- The site is actively utilized for testing and research activities. Preliminary experimental results have been obtained here, including muon background measurements
- Site 0 serves as the initial testing ground for experiments requiring minimal modifications to the existing mine infrastructure
Site 1
- Site 1 is a newly excavated area within the EEM, designed to provide a controlled environment for specialized research
- Site 1 is under construction. The site features a concrete floor, shotcrete walls and a cinder block entrance wall
- Once completed, Site 1 will accommodate experiments that require enhanced environmental controls and infrastructure beyond what Site 0 offers
Site 2
- Site 2 is planned as an additional research area within the EEM, intended to further expand CURIE’s experimental capabilities
- Site 2 is in the preparation phase, with development expected to take six to eight months from May 2024. It is slated to undergo similar renovations to Site 1, including the installation of a concrete floor, shotcrete walls and a secure entrance
- Site 2 is intended to support advanced research projects that necessitate a highly controlled environment, potentially including cryogenic low-background experiments
Future Directions & Capabilities
With a unique capability for shallow-depth physics, CURIE is positioned to support a range of research areas, including quantum technology testing, detector development and studies of cosmic-ray-induced secondary particles.
Future work at CURIE will focus on studying muon-induced neutron backgrounds and refining rock density data for enhanced accuracy in simulation. Plans for additional shielding and advanced measurement techniques aim to further support low-background research. Visit our proposed projects page for information about the publications in progress and future projects.
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