We propose the RES-NOVA project which will hunt neutrinos from core-collapse
supernovae (SN) via coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CEνNS)
using an array of archaeological lead (Pb) based cryogenic detectors. The high
CEνNS cross-section on Pb and the ultra-high radiopurity of archaeological
Pb enable the operation of a high statistics experiment equally sensitive to
all neutrino flavors with reduced detector dimensions in comparison with
existing Neutrino Observatories, and easy scalability to larger detector
volumes. RES-NOVA is planned to operate according to three phases with
increasing detector volumes: (60 cm)3, (140 cm)3, and ultimately
15×(140 cm)3. It will be sensitive to SN bursts up to Andromeda with
5σ sensitivity with already existing technologies and will have
excellent energy resolution with 1 keV threshold. Within our Galaxy, it will
be possible to discriminate core-collapse SNe from black hole forming collapses
with no ambiguity even in the first phase of RES-NOVA. The average neutrino
energy of all flavors, the SN neutrino light curve, and the total energy
emitted in neutrinos can potentially be constrained with a precision of few
% in the final detector phase. RES-NOVA will be sensitive to flavor-blind
neutrinos from the diffuse SN neutrino background with an exposure of 620 ton
â‹… y. The proposed RES-NOVA project has the potential to lay down the
foundations for a new generation of neutrino telescopes, while relying on a
very simple technological setu