Performance of the First ANTARES Detector Line

TL;DR

This paper reports on the performance and environmental data of the first ANTARES detector line, including muon measurements, timing, and angular resolution over a year and a half of operation.

Contribution

It provides the first operational performance data and environmental measurements of the initial ANTARES detector line, including muon detection and angular resolution analysis.

Findings

Environmental data over 1.5 years collected

Muon angular distribution analyzed

Depth profile of muon intensity derived

Abstract

In this paper we report on the data recorded with the first Antares detector line. The line was deployed on the 14th of February 2006 and was connected to the readout two weeks later. Environmental data for one and a half years of running are shown. Measurements of atmospheric muons from data taken from selected runs during the first six months of operation are presented. Performance figures in terms of time residuals and angular resolution are given. Finally the angular distribution of atmospheric muons is presented and from this the depth profile of the muon intensity is derived.