Development of the New Optical Sensor for IceCube-Gen2

TL;DR

A new digital optical module (DOM) for IceCube-Gen2 with quadrupled photon sensitivity and optimized design for cost-effective deployment has been developed, with prototypes undergoing initial testing.

Contribution

Development of a high-sensitivity, cost-efficient digital optical module for IceCube-Gen2, featuring multiple PMTs and advanced readout and triggering capabilities.

Findings

Gen2-DOM has 4 times the photon sensitivity of current DOMs.

Prototype modules are undergoing initial performance testing.

Design optimizations reduce deployment costs.

Abstract

A new digital optical module (DOM) has been developed for the proposed expansion to the IceCube detector at the South Pole, IceCube-Gen2. The "Gen2-DOM" has 4 times the integrated photon sensitivity of the current IceCube DOMs and has built off the design features of the IceCube Upgrade modules. The Gen2-DOM has up to 18 4" photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in a borosilicate glass pressure vessel, arranged in a uniform 4$\pi$ angular distribution. The mechanical design has been optimized to fit into a reduced borehole diameter which, in turn, will reduce drilling costs during installation. Each PMT has a dedicated readout board, designed to increase sensitivity to high-energy events aligned with the science goals of IceCube-Gen2. Internal storage enables multi-level triggering schemes with reduced overall flow of data on the long cables. Twelve prototypes of the Gen2-DOM will be deployed in the IceCube Upgrade in the 2025-2026 austral summer. This article will focus on the current status of design development and initial performance testing results.