Center for Precision Neutrino Research(CPNR) conducts precision measurements of neutrinos, a key element in the weak interaction involved in nuclear decay, a fundamental interaction in nature. Through this, CPNR will establish a domestic base for particle physics research exploring new physical phenomena beyond the Standard Model and lay the foundation for developing into a world-leading research group. Furthermore, the center will cultivate future young leaders in this field with creative and convergent thinking. The previous RENO experiment, conducted domestically and led by CPNR researchers, demonstrated world-class competitiveness. In addition, we are participating in international collaborations (SK, HK and JSNS2) to conduct data analysis and detector development. Building on this capability, CPNR plans to conduct various R&D and perform the Reactor Experiment for Neutrinos and Exotics(RENE). Ultimately, we aim to lay the foundation for a next-generation massive neutrino experiment led by domestic researchers.
This article presents the recent R&D activities of the Korean BIC group. The Group plays important roles in development and preparation for the mass production of the Barrel Imaging Calorimeter(BIC). This includes automated equipment for AstroPix sensor testing, the development of the End-of-Sector Box readout system, the production of Pb/SciFi calorimeter prototypes, and beam tests for performance verification.
The Reactor Antineutrino Anomaly(RAA) and the 5 MeV excess have presented persistent challenges in modern particle and nuclear physics, potentially indicating the existence of sterile neutrinos beyond the Standard Model. To address this anomaly through a model-independent search, the Reactor Experiment for Neutrinos and Exotics (RENE) project has been launched. This paper provides a concise overview of the physical, chemical, and engineering innovations driving the RENE detector. To overcome the gamma-ray energy leakage inherent in conventional short-baseline detectors, a 150-mm-thick 3D gamma-catcher layer was introduced, achieving an unprecedented energy resolution of approximately 4% at 5 MeV. Furthermore, large-area 20-inch photomultiplier tubes(PMTs) were optimized, and a novel quality assurance framework using Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy and density functional theory(DFT) was established to control trace impurities in the liquid scintillator. A detachable 3D-printed support structure was developed to optimize optical coupling in the active cosmic-ray veto system. For reliable unmanned operation in an extreme, power-constrained environment, an asynchronous multi-threaded monitoring system and the advanced RAT-PAC Monte Carlo framework were successfully deployed. Building upon the legacy of the RENO and NEOS experiments, the RENE project is poised to conclusively verify the sterile neutrino anomaly while demonstrating a groundbreaking multidisciplinary expansion into 3D precision medical dosimetry.
Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), scheduled for construction at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) starting in 2026, is a next-generation hadron and nuclear physics facility. It functions as a high-precision microscope to investigate the internal structure of nucleons using high-energy electrons. This column reviews the EIC’s primary scientific goals, including the resolution of the proton spin puzzle, the origin of hadron mass, and the construction of 3D nucleon tomography. By utilizing high luminosity and polarized beams, the EIC will enable the extraction of Generalized Parton Distributions (GPDs) and Gravitational Form Factors (GFFs). These measurements are essential for understanding the dynamics of quarks and gluons and the non-linear regime of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD).
Altermagnetism has recently emerged as a new class of magnetic order combining features of ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. This article reviews the theoretical background behind the emergence of altermagnetism and discusses early symmetry-based descriptions. The characteristic properties of altermagnets are then introduced, followed by a discussion of a recent multipolar perspective in which altermagnets are understood as systems with ferroically ordered higher-order magnetic multipoles. This viewpoint provides deeper microscopic insight into phenomena such as the anomalous Hall effect and suggests a new route for electrical control of the Néel vector through magnetic multipole currents, opening new possibilities for altermagnetic spintronics.
