Description of contents of photos
Acronyms:
DOM – Digital Optical Module
DU – Detection Unit
LOM – Launcher vehicle module
PMT – Photomultiplier tube
ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle
VEOC – Vertical Electro-Optical Cable
01_KM3NeT. DOMs in testing phase in the lab. Each module consists of two glass half spheres filled with all needed electronics, power, and the photomultiplier tubes. They are being tested first (in the front) before closing the module. When the modules are closed, more tests are performed. Two DOMs (in the back) are ready for the next set of tests. (Credit_Marco_Kraan_Nikhef)
02_KM3NeT. Technician integrating the lower hemisphere of the DOM. Specifically connecting the PMT to the electronics in charge of the readout and the digitisation of the signal acquired. (Credit_Marco_Kraan_Nikhef)
03_KM3NeT. An assembled DOM. Lower and upper half spheres coupled together to form a complete DOM with 31 light-sensitive PMTs. A titanium collar is placed around the glass sphere allowing to attach the DOM to the ropes which hold the DU vertically. (Credit_N_Busser_CNRS)
04_KM3NeT. Tests being performed on DOMs after they have been integrated into a full DU. (Vincent_Moncorge_CNRS)
05_KM3NeT. Two DUs during integration. Each DU contains 18 spherical optical modules. (Credit_Marco_Kraan_Nikhef)
06_KM3NeT. One DU, equipped with 18 DOMs, is rolled up around a spherical structure called the LOM in preparation for installation in the sea. This picture is taken from inside the LOM, capturing the inserted DOMs.(Patrick Dumas_CNRS)
07_KM3NeT. Five DUs, rolled up over LOMs, ready to be deployed, stored on the vessel deck. (Simone_Biagi_INFN)
08_KM3NeT. Four DUs, rolled up over the LOMs, are ready for deployment to the deep sea. They are covered with reflective sheets to shade the light-sensitive PMTs inside the DOMs. (Chiara_Lastoria_CNRS)
09_KM3NeT. Final inspections and connection of a DU, rolled up over the LOM, to the deployment winch. (Paschal_Coyle_CNRS)
10_KM3NeT. A DU, rolled up over the LOM and secured to the DU base anchor, is prepared for deployment. The image also shows the orange cable which connects the DU to the seafloor infrastructure, coiled on a dedicated structure integrated into the DU base anchor. Once deployed, the ROV will unroll the cable and complete the connection to the submarine infrastructure. (Credit_Simonelli_Andrea_INFN)
11_KM3NeT. A DU, rolled up over a LOM which is installed on the DU base anchor, is prepared for deployment on the seafloor. In the background is the vessel from which the ROV is operated. (Patrick_Dumas_CNRS)
12_KM3NeT. A DU, rolled up over a LOM which is installed on the DU base anchor, is prepared for deployment on the seafloor. Positioned on the ship's deck, the DU is lifted by a crane and moved overboard for deployment. (Paschal_Coyle_CNRS)
13_KM3NeT. A DU, rolled up over the LOM sphere, is set for deployment as its base anchor (yellow frame) splashes into the sea, ready to be positioned on the sea floor. (Paschal_Coyle_CNRS)
14_KM3NeT. A KM3NeT DU, as captured by the ROV camera, after reaching the seafloor. (14_KM3NeT_Credit_KM3NeT)
15_KM3NeT. A KM3NeT DOM is inspected by the ROV camera after the newly deployed DU has reached the seabed and fully unrolled. The black rope along the side of the DOM is part of the vertical structure that connects and secures the 18 DOMs forming the DU. The yellow circles are PMTs, each surrounded by a reflector ring.(15_KM3NeT_Credit_KM3NeT)
16_KM3NeT. The KM3NeT DOM during a recovery operation. The two black ropes secure the 18 DOMs that form a single DU. The cable attached to the DOM is the VEOC, which supplies power and enables data transmission via fiber connection.(16_KM3NeT_Credit_Paschal_Coyle_CNRS)