The Baksan gallium solar neutrino experiment

A radiochemical 71Ga-71Ge experiment to determine the integral flux of neutrinos from the sun has been constructed at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory in the USSR. Measurements have begun with 30 tonnes of gallium. An additional 30 tonnes of gallium are being installed so as to perform the full experiment with a 60-tonne target. The motivation, experiment procedures, and present status of this experiment are described. © 1990

The Soviet American Gallium Experiment (SAGE)

A radiochemical experiment using the reaction v/sub e/ = /sup 71/Ga + e/sup e/ to determine the integral flux of low-energy neutrinos from the sun is currently under preparation at the Baksan Neutrino Observatory in the USSR. Measurements are scheduled to commence by late 1988 using /approximately/30 tonnes of metallic gallium. With this amount of gallium it should be possible to obtain a fractional statistical accuracy of 12 to 15% after one year (assuming the standard solar model neutrino flux). While initial measurements are in progress, installation of the remaining 30 tonnes of gallium will proceed in order to perform the full 60 tonne experiment