IceAct, small Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes for IceCube

TL;DR

IceAct introduces compact SiPM-based Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes as part of a hybrid detector system with IceCube, enabling enhanced cosmic ray measurements and detector calibration at the South Pole.

Contribution

This work presents the development and deployment of small, cost-effective Cherenkov telescopes integrated with IceCube for improved cosmic ray detection and analysis.

Findings

Successful installation of two IceAct telescopes at South Pole

Initial data shows potential for primary particle discrimination

Enhanced calibration and veto capabilities demonstrated

Abstract

IceAct is a proposed surface array of cost effective and compact Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPM) based small-size (50 cm) Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes above the IceCube in-ice detector. In coincidence with the in-ice and surface components of IceCube it forms a hybrid detector that enables new measurements combining the information from the Cherenkov light image, the surface particle footprint and the in-ice muon tracks of extensive air showers. During January 2019, two new versions of the IceAct telescope demonstrators featuring 61 SiPM pixels and improved optics were installed in the center of the IceTop surface detector at the geographic South Pole. Combining information from these two telescopes and IceCube, it is possible to test the performance in primary particle discrimination, detector calibration, and veto capabilities. We present the status of the project and the prospects of the upcoming data taking season during the Antarctic winter.