Prospects for detecting generic fast-time features in the neutrino lightcurve of nearby supernovae in neutrino telescopes

TL;DR

This study assesses the ability of large neutrino telescopes to detect rapid variations in supernova neutrino signals, revealing insights into supernova dynamics and improving detection methods with enhanced light collection techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a Fourier-based analysis of supernova neutrino signals and evaluates detection prospects with current and future neutrino observatories, including wavelength shifters.

Findings

IceCube can detect strong modulations (>50%) in the Milky Way.

Future detectors like IceCube-Gen2 can sense weaker modulations (>20%) with wavelength shifters.

Fast-time feature properties can be measured with 7.0 Hz frequency and 17 ms time resolution.

Abstract

Neutrino emission offers a direct probe into the hydrodynamics and energy transport processes within a supernova. Fast-time variations in the neutrino luminosity and mean energy can provide insights into phenomena like turbulence, convection, and shock revival. In this paper, we explore the detection capabilities of large-volume neutrino telescopes such as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the planned IceCube-Gen2 detector in identifying generic fast-time features in the neutrino light curve. We also investigate the potential enhancement in detection sensitivity using wavelength shifters, which can improve light collection efficiency. By employing a Short-Time Fourier Transform analysis, we quantify the excess power in the frequency spectrum arising from fast-time modulations and compute the detection horizon for a range of generic models. We find that with IceCube we can already see the strongest modulation models (>50% amplitude) for progenitors located anywhere in the Milky Way. Sensitivity to weaker modulations (>20% amplitude) is possible in future detectors like IceCube-Gen2, in particular with the use of wavelength shifters. For all detector configurations, the frequency and central time of the fast-time feature at the 5$\sigma$ detection horizon can be measured with a resolution of 7.0 Hz and 17 ms respectively.