  The SoLid experiment aims to resolve the reactor neutrino anomaly by
searching for electron-to-sterile anti-neutrino oscillations. The search will
be performed between 5.5 and 10 m from the highly enriched uranium core of the
BR2 reactor at SCK-CEN. The experiment utilises a novel approach to
anti-neutrino detection based on a highly segmented, composite scintillator
detector design. High experimental sensitivity can be achieved using a
combination of high neutron-gamma discrimination using 6 LiF:ZnS(Ag) and
precise localisation of the inverse beta decay products. This compact detector
system requires limited passive shielding as it relies on spacial topology to
determine the different classes of backgrounds. The first full scale, 288 kg,
detector module was deployed at the BR2 reactor in November 2014. A phased
three tonne experimental deployment will begin in the second half of 2016,
allowing a precise search for oscillations that will resolve the reactor
anomaly using a three tonne detector running for three years. In this talk the
novel detector design is explained and initial detector performance results
from the module level deployment are presented along with an estimation of the
physics reach of the next phase.
