Physics Capabilities of the IceCube DeepCore Detector

TL;DR

IceCube-DeepCore significantly enhances neutrino detection sensitivity at low energies, enabling new physics measurements like dark matter probing and neutrino oscillations, with successful initial deployment and full commissioning planned.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, deployment, and capabilities of IceCube-DeepCore, a detector extension that lowers energy thresholds and broadens IceCube's scientific reach.

Findings

Successful installation of the first string in January 2009

Enhanced sensitivity to neutrinos below 10 GeV

Potential to probe dark matter models and neutrino oscillations

Abstract

IceCube-DeepCore is a compact Cherenkov detector located in the clear ice of the bottom center of the IceCube Neutrino Telescope. Its purpose is to enhance the sensitivity of IceCube for low neutrino energies (< 1 TeV) and to lower the detection threshold of IceCube by about an order of magnitude to below 10 GeV. The detector is formed by 6 additional strings of 360 high quantum efficiency phototubes together with the 7 central IceCube strings. The improved sensitivity will provide an enhanced sensitivity to probe a range of parameters of dark matter models not covered by direct experiments. It opens a new window for atmospheric neutrino oscillation measurements of muon neutrino disappearance or tau neutrino appearance in an energy region not well tested by previous experiments, and enlarges the field of view of IceCube to a full sky observation when searching for potential neutrino sources. The first string was succesfully installed in January 2009, commissioning of the full detector is planned early 2010.