Concept Study of a Radio Array Embedded in a Deep Gen2-like Optical Array

TL;DR

This study explores embedding radio antennas within the IceCube-Gen2 optical array to enhance neutrino detection by combining radio and optical signals, potentially improving directional accuracy for ultra-high-energy neutrinos.

Contribution

It presents the first simulation results of a hybrid radio-optical neutrino detector embedded in IceCube-Gen2, demonstrating the feasibility and potential benefits of such an integrated array.

Findings

Simulated neutrino interactions with 9760 radio antennas across 122 strings.

Hybrid detection could significantly improve neutrino cascade directional resolution.

Embedded radio array offers a cost-effective way to enhance ultra-high-energy neutrino observations.

Abstract

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has discovered a diffuse astrophysical flux up to 10 PeV and is now planning a large extension with IceCube-Gen2, including an optical array and a large radio array at shallow depth [1]. Neutrino searches for energies >100 PeV are best done with such shallow radio detectors like the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) or similar (buried as deep as 200 meters below the surface) as they are cheaper to deploy. This poster explores the potential of opportunistically burying radio antennas within the planned IceCube-Gen2 detector volume (between 1350 meters and 2600 meters below the surface). A hybrid detection of events in optical and radio could substantially improve the uncertainty of neutrino cascade direction as radio signals do not scatter in ice. We show the first results of simulating neutrinos from an astrophysical and a cosmogenic flux interacting with 9760 ARA-style vertically polarized radio antennas distributed evenly across 122 strings.