Integration of acoustical sensors into the KM3NeT Optical Modules

TL;DR

The paper presents a compact opto-acoustical module integrating optical and acoustic sensors for KM3NeT, enabling precise positioning and potential scientific applications like marine science and acoustic particle detection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel integrated sensor module design that simplifies deployment and enhances functionality for the KM3NeT neutrino telescope.

Findings

Successful performance of the integrated modules demonstrated

Design facilitates easy deployment of detection units

Potential for additional scientific applications

Abstract

The next generation multi-cubic-kilometre water Cherenkov neutrino telescope will be build in the Mediterranean Sea. This telescope, called KM3NeT, is currently entering a first construction phase. The KM3NeT research infrastructure will comprise 690 so-called Detection Units in its final design which will be anchored to the sea bed and held upright by submerged floats. The positions of these Detection Units, several hundred metres in length, and their attached Optical Modules for the detection of Cherenkov light have to be monitored continously to provide the telescope with its desired pointing precision. A standard way to do this is the utilisation of an acoustic positioning system using emitters at fixed positions and receivers distributed along the Detection Units. The KM3NeT neutrino telescope comprises a custom-made acoustic positioning system with newly designed emitters attached to the anchors of the Detection Units and custom-designed receivers attached to the Detection Units. This article describes an approach for a receiver and its performance. The proposed Opto-Acoustical Modules combine the optical sensors for the telescope with the acoustical sensors necessary for the positioning of the module itself. This combination leads to a compact design suited for an easy deployment of the numerous Detection Units. Furthermore, the instrumented volume can be used for scientific analyses such as marine science and acoustic particle detection.