Korea-Italy Join Forces to Unveil Universe's Mysteries... IBS-INFN International Joint Research Center Launched

Joining Forces for Dark Matter and Neutrino Research
Leveraging World-Class Underground Experimental Infrastructure Together

The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) have launched an international joint research project to uncover the mysteries of the universe. On October 30, the two institutions held the opening ceremony for the ‘IBS-INFN Center for Neutrino and Dark Matter’ at the IBS headquarters, marking the official start of their collaborative research.

This center will serve as a hub for cooperation in the study of ‘dark matter’ and ‘neutrinos,’ two of the universe’s most enigmatic areas. The center is co-directed by Kim Youngdeok, Director of the IBS Underground Laboratory, and Ezio Previtali, Director of the Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy. Both institutions will each contribute 500 million won annually over five years to support the research, with the possibility of extending the collaboration up to ten years depending on the outcomes.

A view of the IBS Yemi Lab located beneath the mountainous area of Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. It is the only deep underground laboratory in Korea where research on dark matter and neutrino detection is conducted. IBS Yemi Lab website.

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Dark matter does not emit or reflect light, making it invisible, but its existence is confirmed by its gravitational effects. It accounts for about 27% of the total mass-energy of the universe, yet its true nature remains a mystery. Neutrinos, often called ‘ghost particles,’ have no electric charge and almost no mass, and interact very little with matter, but are considered key clues to understanding the formation and evolution of the universe. These two particles are known as ‘the two great puzzles of the universe’ in modern physics.

The Gran Sasso Laboratory in Italy is the world’s largest underground particle physics facility and has led the fields of neutrino oscillation and dark matter detection. IBS, for its part, operates the IBS Yemi Lab in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province, Korea’s only deep underground experimental facility, and recently gained international attention by refuting the results of Gran Sasso’s flagship experiment, DAMA/LIBRA.

The center will jointly develop core detection technologies and materials for dark matter searches and neutrinoless double-beta decay research. The ‘COSINE-100U’ group at IBS Yemi Lab will focus on crystal purification, while the ‘SABRE’ group at Gran Sasso will handle crystal growth and radioactivity measurements, aiming to secure next-generation low-radioactivity detection technologies.

President Noh Doyoung stated, “This collaboration, which explores the origins of the universe deep underground, is a symbolic example that the essence of basic science lies in cooperation, not competition. It will also serve as an opportunity for IBS to establish itself as an equal partner on the global scientific stage.” Director Kim Youngdeok added, “By combining the strengths of Korea and Italy, we will enhance experimental precision and work together to nurture the next generation of scientists.”