195 research outputs found
IceCube's In-Ice Radio Extension: Status and Results
In 2006-2010, several Radio Frequency (RF) detectors and calibration
equipment were deployed as part of the IceCube array at depths between 5 to
1400 meters in preparation for a future large scale GZK neutrino detector.
IceCube's deep holes and well-established data handling system provide a unique
opportunity for deep-ice RF detection studies at the South-Pole. We will
present verification and calibration results as well as a status-review of
ongoing analyses such as ice-properties, RF noise and reconstruction
algorithms.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the Acoustic and
Radio EeV Neutrino detection Activities (ARENA) 2010 conferenc
Constraints on the Ultra-High Energy Neutrino Flux from Gamma-Ray Bursts from a Prototype Station of the Askaryan Radio Array
We report on a search for ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrinos from gamma-ray
bursts (GRBs) in the data set collected by the Testbed station of the Askaryan
Radio Array (ARA) in 2011 and 2012. From 57 selected GRBs, we observed no
events that survive our cuts, which is consistent with 0.12 expected background
events. Using NeuCosmA as a numerical GRB reference emission model, we estimate
upper limits on the prompt UHE GRB neutrino fluence and quasi-diffuse flux from
to GeV. This is the first limit on the prompt UHE GRB
neutrino quasi-diffuse flux above GeV.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, Published in Astroparticle Physics Journa
First Constraints on the Ultra-High Energy Neutrino Flux from a Prototype Station of the Askaryan Radio Array
The Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) is an ultra-high energy ( eV) cosmic
neutrino detector in phased construction near the South Pole. ARA searches for
radio Cherenkov emission from particle cascades induced by neutrino
interactions in the ice using radio frequency antennas ( MHz)
deployed at a design depth of 200 m in the Antarctic ice. A prototype ARA
Testbed station was deployed at m depth in the 2010-2011 season and
the first three full ARA stations were deployed in the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013
seasons. We present the first neutrino search with ARA using data taken in 2011
and 2012 with the ARA Testbed and the resulting constraints on the neutrino
flux from eV.Comment: 26 pages, 15 figures. Since first revision, added section on
systematic uncertainties, updated limits and uncertainty band with
improvements to simulation, added appendix describing ray tracing algorithm.
Final revision includes a section on cosmic ray backgrounds. Published in
Astropart. Phys.
Performance of two Askaryan Radio Array stations and first results in the search for ultra-high energy neutrinos
Ultra-high energy neutrinos are interesting messenger particles since, if
detected, they can transmit exclusive information about ultra-high energy
processes in the Universe. These particles, with energies above
, interact very rarely. Therefore, detectors that
instrument several gigatons of matter are needed to discover them. The ARA
detector is currently being constructed at South Pole. It is designed to use
the Askaryan effect, the emission of radio waves from neutrino-induced cascades
in the South Pole ice, to detect neutrino interactions at very high energies.
With antennas distributed among 37 widely-separated stations in the ice, such
interactions can be observed in a volume of several hundred cubic kilometers.
Currently 3 deep ARA stations are deployed in the ice of which two have been
taking data since the beginning of the year 2013. In this publication, the ARA
detector "as-built" and calibrations are described. Furthermore, the data
reduction methods used to distinguish the rare radio signals from overwhelming
backgrounds of thermal and anthropogenic origin are presented. Using data from
only two stations over a short exposure time of 10 months, a neutrino flux
limit of is
calculated for a particle energy of 10^{18}eV, which offers promise for the
full ARA detector.Comment: 21 pages, 34 figures, 1 table, includes supplementary materia
Calibration and Characterization of the IceCube Photomultiplier Tube
Over 5,000 PMTs are being deployed at the South Pole to compose the IceCube
neutrino observatory. Many are placed deep in the ice to detect Cherenkov light
emitted by the products of high-energy neutrino interactions, and others are
frozen into tanks on the surface to detect particles from atmospheric cosmic
ray showers. IceCube is using the 10-inch diameter R7081-02 made by Hamamatsu
Photonics. This paper describes the laboratory characterization and calibration
of these PMTs before deployment. PMTs were illuminated with pulses ranging from
single photons to saturation level. Parameterizations are given for the single
photoelectron charge spectrum and the saturation behavior. Time resolution,
late pulses and afterpulses are characterized. Because the PMTs are relatively
large, the cathode sensitivity uniformity was measured. The absolute photon
detection efficiency was calibrated using Rayleigh-scattered photons from a
nitrogen laser. Measured characteristics are discussed in the context of their
relevance to IceCube event reconstruction and simulation efforts.Comment: 40 pages, 12 figure
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Instrumentation and Online Systems
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is a cubic-kilometer-scale high-energy
neutrino detector built into the ice at the South Pole. Construction of
IceCube, the largest neutrino detector built to date, was completed in 2011 and
enabled the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. We describe here
the design, production, and calibration of the IceCube digital optical module
(DOM), the cable systems, computing hardware, and our methodology for drilling
and deployment. We also describe the online triggering and data filtering
systems that select candidate neutrino and cosmic ray events for analysis. Due
to a rigorous pre-deployment protocol, 98.4% of the DOMs in the deep ice are
operating and collecting data. IceCube routinely achieves a detector uptime of
99% by emphasizing software stability and monitoring. Detector operations have
been stable since construction was completed, and the detector is expected to
operate at least until the end of the next decade.Comment: 83 pages, 50 figures; updated with minor changes from journal review
and proofin
A Template-based UHE Neutrino Search Strategy for the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA)
The Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) is a gigaton-size neutrino radio telescope located near the geographic South Pole. ARA has five independent stations designed to detect Askaryan emission coming from the interactions between ultra-high energy neutrinos (> 10 PeV) and Antarctic ice. Each station includes of 16 antenna deployed in a matrix shape at up to 200 m deep in the ice. A simulated neutrino template, including the detector response model, was implemented in a new search technique for reducing background noise and improving the vertex reconstruction resolution. The template is used to scan through the data using the matched filter method, inspired by LIGO, looking for a low SNR neutrino signature and ultimately aiming to lower the detector’s energy threshold at the analysis level. I will present the estimated sensitivity improvements to ARA analyses through the application of the template technique with results from simulation
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