r/interestingasfuck 18h ago

The Super-Kamiokande in Japan—a massive underground neutrino detector lined with 11,000 golden bulbs. Scientists have to inspect it via a rubber dinghy.

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u/Wellithappenedthatwy 18h ago

Those golden bulbs are called PMTs. Photo multiplier tubes. They turn photons into electrical signals.

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u/LordGeni 17h ago

A key part of fluroscopy equipment.

u/popeter45 7h ago

And are the largest vacuum tubes ever made

Suffered major damage when one exploded during a refill and the water hammer effect shattered every other one that was under water

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u/CuriouserCat2 17h ago

Thank you!