An in situ measurement of the radio-frequency attenuation in ice at Summit Station, Greenland

TL;DR

This study provides an in situ measurement of radio-frequency attenuation in Greenland ice, revealing its potential for ultra-high energy neutrino detection due to its radio clarity.

Contribution

First direct in situ measurement of ice radio-frequency attenuation length at Summit Station, Greenland, with implications for neutrino detection.

Findings

Attenuation length at 75 MHz is approximately 947 meters.

Ice radio clarity at Summit Station is comparable to other neutrino detection sites.

Results support Summit Station as a promising site for UHE neutrino detection.

Abstract

We report an in situ measurement of the electric field attenuation length at radio frequencies for the bulk ice at Summit Station, Greenland, made by broadcasting radio-frequency signals vertically through the ice and measuring the relative power in the return ground bounce signal. We find the depth-averaged field attenuation length to be 947 +92/-85 meters at 75 MHz. While this measurement has clear radioglaciological applications, the radio clarity of the ice also has implications for the detection of ultra-high energy (UHE) astrophysical particles via their radio emission in dielectric media such as ice. Assuming a reliable extrapolation to higher frequencies, the measured attenuation length at Summit Station is comparable to previously measured radio-frequency attenuation lengths at candidate particle detector sites around the world, and strengthens the case for Summit Station as a promising northern site for UHE neutrino detection.