PINGU: A Vision for Neutrino and Particle Physics at the South Pole

TL;DR

PINGU is a proposed low-energy extension of IceCube aiming to significantly advance neutrino physics, dark matter searches, and Earth's core studies through high-precision measurements and a large atmospheric neutrino sample.

Contribution

It introduces a cost-effective PINGU design that enhances IceCube's capabilities for neutrino oscillation measurements and other physics goals with minimal performance loss.

Findings

Detects over 60,000 atmospheric neutrinos annually.

Determines neutrino mass ordering at 3σ within 4 years.

Improves sensitivity to dark matter and Earth's core composition.

Abstract

The Precision IceCube Next Generation Upgrade (PINGU) is a proposed low-energy in-fill extension to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory. With detection technology modeled closely on the successful IceCube example, PINGU will provide a 6Mton effective mass for neutrino detection with an energy threshold of a few GeV. With an unprecedented sample of over 60,000 atmospheric neutrinos per year in this energy range, PINGU will make highly competitive measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters in an energy range over an order of magnitude higher than long-baseline neutrino beam experiments. PINGU will measure the mixing parameters $\theta_{\rm 23}$ and $\Delta m^2_{\rm 32}$, including the octant of $\theta_{\rm 23}$ for a wide range of values, and determine the neutrino mass ordering at $3\sigma$ median significance within 4 years of operation. PINGU's high precision measurement of the rate of ${\nu_\tau}$ appearance will provide essential tests of the unitarity of the $3\times 3$ PMNS neutrino mixing matrix. PINGU will also improve the sensitivity of searches for low mass dark matter in the Sun, use neutrino tomography to directly probe the composition of the Earth's core, and improve IceCube's sensitivity to neutrinos from Galactic supernovae. Reoptimization of the PINGU design has permitted substantial reduction in both cost and logistical requirements while delivering performance nearly identical to configurations previously studied. This document summarizes the results of detailed studies described in a more comprehensive document to be released soon.