IRMM operates an underground laboratory at the premises of the Belgian Nuclear
Research Centre in Mol, 233 m below the ground (HADES).
In HADES the muon flux is a factor of 1000 lower compared to above ground and
the flux of protons, neutrons and electrons is reduced to an insignificant
level. This reduction of the cosmic ray flux makes the background
significantly lower compared to above ground. The detectors and the shields
are constructed using specially selected materials and have special design to
minimise the background contribution from environmental radioactivity.
