A prototype device for acoustic neutrino detection in Lake Baikal

TL;DR

This paper presents a prototype acoustic detector installed in Lake Baikal for potential neutrino detection, detailing its design and initial data analysis results to advance underwater neutrino telescope development.

Contribution

It introduces a novel underwater acoustic detector prototype for neutrino detection and reports initial operational results from Lake Baikal.

Findings

Successful long-term operation of the acoustic antenna at 100m depth

Initial data analysis demonstrates detector's capability to collect relevant signals

Prototype design lays groundwork for future underwater neutrino telescopes

Abstract

In April 2006, a 4-channel acoustic antenna has been put in long-term operation on Lake Baikal. The detector was installed at a depth of about 100 m on the instrumentation string of Baikal Neutrino Telescope NT200+. This detector may be regarded as a prototype of a subunit for a future underwater acoustic neutrino telescope. We describe the design of acoustic detector and present first results obtained from data analysis.