Probing ultra-high-energy neutrinos with the IceCube-Gen2 in-ice radio array

TL;DR

The paper discusses the design and expected scientific impact of the IceCube-Gen2 radio array, which aims to significantly improve detection of ultra-high-energy neutrinos and enhance understanding of their sources and properties.

Contribution

It introduces the design and implementation plan for the IceCube-Gen2 radio array, increasing sensitivity to neutrinos beyond 100PeV and outlining its scientific potential.

Findings

Expected sensitivity increase by at least an order of magnitude.

Forecasted measurements for diffuse flux and point sources.

Enhanced capabilities for cross-section and flavor measurements.

Abstract

The next generation neutrino telescope, IceCube-Gen2, will be sensitive to the astrophysical and cosmogenic flux of neutrinos across a broad energy range, from the TeV to the EeV scale. The planned design includes 8 cubic kilometers of ice instrumented with approximately 10,000 optical sensors, a surface array, and a radio array of antennas embedded in the ice laid out sparsely over 500 km^2. The radio array provides sensitivity to ultra-high energy neutrinos using independent radio stations that can trigger on Askaryan emission from neutrino interactions in the ice. In this contribution, we present the design for the radio array along with its planned implementation, which is expected to increase sensitivity to neutrinos with energies beyond 100PeV by at least an order of magnitude over existing arrays. Furthermore, we will quantify the expected science output by presenting measurement forecasts for the main science cases of diffuse flux and point source discovery, as well as cross-section and flavor measurements.