Simulation of a hybrid optical-radio-acoustic neutrino detector at the South Pole

TL;DR

This paper presents simulation results for a proposed hybrid neutrino detector at the South Pole that combines optical, radio, and acoustic sensors to enhance high-energy neutrino detection capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid detection array combining optical, radio, and acoustic sensors in IceCube holes, aiming to improve high-energy neutrino detection and serve as a pathfinder for larger arrays.

Findings

Hybrid array improves high-energy neutrino detection sensitivity.

Simulation demonstrates feasibility of combined optical-radio-acoustic detection.

Potential for larger hybrid neutrino observatories.

Abstract

With construction halfway complete, IceCube is already the most sensitive neutrino telescope ever built. A rearrangement of the final holes of IceCube with increased spacing has been discussed recently to optimize the high energy sensitivity of the detector. Extending this baseline with radio and acoustic instrumentation in the same holes could further improve the high energy response. The goal would be both to detect events and to act as a pathfinder for hybrid detection, towards a possible larger hybrid array. Simulation results for such an array are presented here.