Status of the LEGEND Experiment — Initial Testing and Outlook

The Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless double-beta Decay (LEGEND) experiment is a next generation $^{76}$Ge-based double-beta decay experiment building off the experiences of the {\sc{Majorana}} and GERDA experiments. LEGEND will be implemented in a phased approach. The first phase, LEGEND-200 so named because it consists of 200 kg of $^{76}$Ge enriched germanium, will be deployed in the existing GERDA infrastructure at LNGS. Assembly and testing has already begun. With a background goal of 0.6 counts/FWHM$\cdot$tonne$\cdot$year LEGEND-200 will have a discovery potential of a half-life around 10$^{27}$ years. The proposed second stage, LEGEND-1000 which consists of one-tonne of enriched geranium, could have a discovery potential beyond 10$^{28}$ years. I will give an overview of the initial testing and current status as well as an update on some research and development efforts.