Photomultiplier tube used in the MiniBooNE neutrino experiment at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Image Courtesy Fermilab

The MiniBooNE experiment, located at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, investigates the question of neutrino mass by searching for neutrino oscillations. Muon neutrinos are created using the beam from FermilabÂ’s particle accelerator and directed into the MiniBooNE detector. Physicists use the signals recorded by photomultipliers like the one shown here to search for electron neutrinos. The MiniBooNE detector contains 1,280 of these photomultiplier tubes, which record tiny flashes of light when a charge particle travels through the detectorÂ’s 800 tons of mineral oil. MiniBooNE computing jobs are now running on several Fermilab computer farms via the Open Science Grid.