Optimization of the optical array geometry for IceCube-Gen2

Abstract

IceCube-Gen2 is a planned extension of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole designed to study the high-energy neutrino sky from TeV to EeV energies with a five times better point source sensitivity than the current IceCube detector. This is achieved by deploying 120 new strings with attached optical sensors in a pattern around IceCube that features considerably larger distances between individual strings than the ∼125 m for the existing detector. Here, we present the results of an optimization study searching for the best point source sensitivity while varying the IceCube-Gen2 string spacing between 150 m and 350 m.

Probing the Dark Matter Capture Rate in a Local Population of Brown Dwarfs with IceCube Gen 2

“…The expanded coverage of IceCube Gen 2 enhances detection capabilities, enabling the detection of even fainter fluxes from individual sources, surpassing current limitations. For IceCube Gen 2, we examine the discovery potential for a single point-like source for a period of 10 years with 300 s of exposure time [80,81]. Our analysis focuses on track events predominantly originating from muon (anti-)neutrinos (ν µ and νµ ), which traverse the detector from all directions, as well as neutrino track events beginning within the instrumented volume.…”

“…Figure 1 provides insight into the 90% confidence level (C.L.) sensitivity of both IceCube [37] and IceCube Gen 2 [81] by adopting a source spectrum with a differential flux dN dE ∝ E −2 as a function of source declination (sin δ). The 'points' denote the individual differential muon neutrino flux obtained from Equation (10) for each BD for DM mass, m χ = 10 GeV, and scattering cross-section, σ χn = 10 −37 cm 2 , from box-like spectra (by assuming annihilation through a long-lived mediator).…”

“…The red and blue dashed lines denote the 90% C.L. sensitivity of IceCube [37] and IceCube Gen 2 [81], respectively.…”

Sensitivity of IceCube-Gen2 to measure flavor composition of Astrophysical neutrinos

“…1iso-pDOM). Chosen Geometry of the detector strings for this study is "sunflower" geometry, with strings 240m apart from eachother, a most optimal geometry for IceCube-Gen2 [8]. Monte Carlo events were produced assuming these so called iso-pDOM for all-flavor neutrinos having energy between 100TeV to 50PeV.…”