Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array to emission from the gamma-ray counterparts of neutrino events

TL;DR

This paper assesses the Cherenkov Telescope Array's ability to detect gamma-ray counterparts to neutrino sources, considering various observational and environmental factors, to enhance multi-messenger astrophysics.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of CTA's sensitivity to neutrino-associated gamma-ray sources using simulated populations and explores environmental impacts on detection probability.

Findings

Detection probability varies with zenith angle and geomagnetic field.

No significant difference in detectability between CTA-North and CTA-South.

Higher night-sky background reduces detection likelihood.

Abstract

We investigate the possibility of detection of the VHE gamma-ray counterparts to the neutrino astrophysical sources within the Neutrino Target of Opportunity (NToO) program of CTA using the populations simulated by the FIRESONG software to resemble the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux measured by IceCube. We derive the detection probability for different zenith angles and geomagnetic field configurations. The difference in detectability of sources between CTA-North and CTA-South for the average geomagnetic field is not substantial. We investigate the effect of a higher night-sky background and the preliminary CTA Alpha layout on the detection probability.