Cosmic ray noise threatens next-generation neutrino detectors
Scientists have identified a major source of interference that could swamp signals in upcoming neutrino observatories—atmospheric muons created by cosmic rays. As experiments like IceCube-Gen2 prepare to scan vastly larger volumes of space, understanding and filtering out this background noise is now critical to achieving their scientific goals and justifying multi-hundred-million-dollar investments.
Originaltitel: Atmospheric muons at PeV energies in radio neutrino detectors
<p>Experiments seeking to detect radio emission stemming from neutrino interactions will soon reach sensitivities that bring a detection within reach. Since experiments like RNO-G or the future IceCube-Gen2 target more than an order of magnitude more effective volume than existing experiments, the renewed and detailed study of rare backgrounds is needed. In this paper, we study the potential background from energy losses of highly energetic atmospheric muons. Due to both limited experimental measurements and limited modeling in hadronic interaction models, the expected event rate is subject to large uncertainties. Here, we estimate rate predictions and their uncertainties for different models and instrumental parameters. We also study possible routes towards mitigation of the muon background, such as parent air shower detection, and illustrate what is needed to make the first measurement of the prompt muon flux at energies above 10PeV.</p>