Detector Optimization Figures-of-merit for IceCube's High-energy Extension

TL;DR

This paper develops model-independent scaling relations to compare high-energy neutrino detector designs, aiding optimization for source discovery despite uncertainties in source models.

Contribution

It introduces scaling relations for detector performance that are independent of source strengths, enabling objective design comparisons.

Findings

Derived source-specific scaling relations

Provided a framework for model-independent detector comparison

Facilitated optimization of detector designs for various sources

Abstract

With the design and development of next-generation high-energy neutrino detectors, it is important to compare different detector designs to optimize detection probability and science reach. These comparisons are nevertheless difficult due to large uncertainties in current neutrino source model parameters. We examine the role of the most important characteristics of high-energy neutrino searches in the probability of discovering different sources types. We derive scaling relations for each considered source and search scenario, which can be used to compare different detector designs with respect to their utility in discovering different source populations. The recovered scaling relations are independent of source strengths, providing a model-independent comparison.