The Surface Array planned for IceCube-Gen2

Abstract

IceCube-Gen2, the extension of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, will feature three main components: an optical array in the deep ice, a large-scale radio array in the shallow ice and firn, and a surface detector above the optical array. Thus, IceCube-Gen2 will not only be an excellent detector for PeV neutrinos, but also constitutes a unique setup for the measurement of cosmic-ray air showers, where the electromagnetic component and low-energy muons are measured at the surface and high-energy muons are measured in the ice. As for ongoing enhancement of IceCube's current surface array, IceTop, we foresee a combination of elevated scintillation and radio detectors for the Gen2 surface array, aiming at high measurement accuracy for air showers. The science goals are manifold: The in-situ measurement of the cosmic-ray flux and mass composition, as well as more thorough tests of hadronic interaction models, will improve the understanding of muons and atmospheric neutrinos detected in the ice, in particular, regarding prompt muons. Moreover, the surface array provides a cosmic-ray veto for the in-ice detector and contributes to the calibration of the optical and radio arrays. Last but not least, the surface array will make major contributions to cosmic-ray science in the energy range of the transition from Galactic to extragalactic sources. The increased sensitivities for photons and for cosmic-ray anisotropies at multi-PeV energies provide a chance to solve the puzzle of the origin of the most energetic Galactic cosmic rays and will serve IceCube's multimessenger mission.

High-energy and ultra-high-energy neutrinos: A Snowmass white paper

“…The extension of IceCube, the proposed IceCube-Gen2, will be able to enhance the detectability of prompt atmospheric neutrinos with higher statistics [128]. It will additionally provide a unique laboratory to study PeV prompt muons as produced in air showers, which are strongly linked to the production of prompt neutrinos using an approach that is complementary to accelerator studies of prompt neutrinos [559]. In the meantime, upcoming forward experiments at the LHC, FASERν [300] and SND@LHC [301], will measure the prompt neutrinos and reduce the uncertainties in heavy flavor production.…”

Advancing the Landscape of Multimessenger Science in the Next Decade

“…The next-generation neutrino telescope IceCube-Gen2 also envisions an extended surface detector component above the main in-ice optical Cherenkov detector [883,884]. This surface detector would allow to observe cosmic ray air showers by their electromagnetic component and low-energy muons on the surface whereas high-energy muons are measured in the ice.…”

Neutrinos from near and far: Results from the IceCube Neutrino Observatory

“…Two prototypes designs are shown in Figure 8 (right). In addition to the optical array, IceCube-Gen2 will include a surface array [33] for cosmic-ray physics and a sparse radio array covering 500 km 2 for EeV neutrino detection [34]. Much as IceCube transformed the upper bounds measured by its predecessor AMANDA into measured fluxes, the full IceCube-Gen2 configuration will extend sensitivity above 10 PeV and its improved angular resolution for tracks will usher in a new era of precision neutrino astronomy.…”