POCAM in the IceCube Upgrade

TL;DR

The paper discusses the development and deployment of the POCAM calibration module in the IceCube Upgrade to enhance detector calibration and reduce systematic uncertainties in neutrino detection.

Contribution

Introduction of the POCAM calibration module for large-volume ice detectors, including its design, performance, and calibration methods.

Findings

POCAM provides isotropic, nanosecond light pulses for calibration.

Over 20 POCAMs will be deployed in the IceCube Upgrade.

POCAM reduces detector systematics and improves calibration accuracy.

Abstract

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the geographic South Pole instruments a gigaton of glacial Antarctic ice with over 5000 photosensors. The detector, by now running for over a decade, will be upgraded with seven new densely instrumented strings. The project focuses on the improvement of low-energy and oscillation physics sensitivities as well as re-calibration of the existing detector. Over the last few years we developed a Precision Optical Calibration Module (POCAM) providing self-monitored, isotropic, nanosecond, light pulses for optical calibration of large-volume detectors. Over 20 next-generation POCAMs will be calibrated and deployed in the IceCube Upgrade in order to reduce existing detector systematics. We report a general overview of the POCAM instrument, its performance and calibration procedures.