Concept for a Space-based Near-Solar Neutrino Detector

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel space-based neutrino detector in close solar orbit to improve solar interior studies, demonstrating promising background rejection and potential for superior measurements compared to Earth-based experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a new concept for a solar-orbiting neutrino detector with innovative background suppression techniques, enabling enhanced solar interior observations.

Findings

Background rejection of over 75% for gamma rays

Near 100% rejection of other interactions

Potential to outperform Earth-based neutrino experiments

Abstract

The concept of putting a neutrino detector in close orbit of the sun has been unexplored until very recently. The primary scientific return is to vastly enhance our understanding of the solar interior, which is a major NASA goal. Preliminary calculations show that such a spacecraft, if properly shielded, can operate in space environments while taking data from neutrino interactions. These interactions can be distinguished from random background rates of solar electromagnetic emissions, galactic charged cosmic-rays, and gamma-rays by using a double pulsed signature. Early simulations of this project have shown this veto schema to be successful in eliminating background and identifying the neutrino interaction signal in upwards of 75% of gamma ray interactions and nearly 100% of other interactions. Hence, we propose a new instrument to explore and study our sun. Due to inverse square scaling, this instrument has the potential to outperform earth-based experiments in several domains such as making measurements not accessible from the earth's orbit.