[Paper Review] IceCube-Gen2 - The Next Generation Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole: Contributions to ICRC 2015

The IceCube-Gen Collaboration, M. G. Aartsen+338 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Oct 18, 2015

Astrophysics and Cosmic PhenomenaPhysics and Astronomy7 references17 citations

TL;DR

IceCube-Gen2 proposes a next-generation neutrino observatory at the South Pole, significantly expanding the IceCube detector's volume and sensitivity to detect high-energy neutrinos. By deploying a larger, more densely instrumented array in deep ice, the project aims to enhance the detection of cosmic neutrinos, enabling breakthroughs in astrophysics, particle physics, and cosmology, including the potential to resolve the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.

ABSTRACT

Papers submitted to the 34th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2015, The Hague) by the IceCube-Gen2 Collaboration.

Motivation & Objective

• To design and propose a next-generation neutrino observatory, IceCube-Gen2, to succeed the current IceCube detector at the South Pole.
• To significantly increase the instrumented volume and sensitivity to high-energy neutrinos compared to IceCube.
• To enable the detection of cosmic neutrinos from astrophysical sources, including transient and steady sources.
• To address fundamental questions in particle physics and cosmology by measuring neutrino properties and fluxes.
• To provide a scalable, modular infrastructure for long-term operation and future upgrades in neutrino astronomy.

Proposed method

• Deploying a denser array of optical sensors in deep Antarctic ice to increase detection efficiency and angular resolution.
• Expanding the instrumented volume to approximately 10 km³, compared to IceCube's 1 km³, through phased construction.
• Using advanced photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and improved data acquisition systems for higher dynamic range and lower threshold.
• Implementing a hybrid detection strategy combining in-ice and surface sensors to optimize sensitivity to different neutrino energies.
• Leveraging existing infrastructure and experience from IceCube to ensure cost-effective and reliable deployment.
• Integrating advanced data processing and machine learning techniques for real-time event reconstruction and background suppression.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What is the optimal design for a next-generation neutrino telescope to maximize sensitivity to high-energy astrophysical neutrinos?
• RQ2 How can the instrumented volume and sensor density be scaled to improve angular and energy resolution?
• RQ3 What are the key technical and logistical challenges in deploying a km³-scale neutrino detector in deep ice?
• RQ4 How will IceCube-Gen2 improve the detection of cosmic neutrinos and constrain their sources?
• RQ5 What are the expected contributions of IceCube-Gen2 to the study of neutrino properties and cosmic ray origins?

Key findings

• IceCube-Gen2 is designed to achieve a 10-fold increase in instrumented volume compared to IceCube, enabling detection of rare high-energy neutrino events.
• The proposed design achieves a sensitivity to diffuse astrophysical neutrino fluxes that exceeds IceCube by a factor of 10 over a 10-year operation.
• The detector is expected to resolve the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays by identifying their high-energy neutrino counterparts.
• The project demonstrates feasibility through detailed simulations and engineering studies, including sensor deployment and data acquisition systems.
• IceCube-Gen2 is projected to detect hundreds of high-energy neutrino events per year, enabling precision measurements of neutrino flavor ratios.
• The observatory will support multi-messenger astronomy by enabling coincident detection with gravitational wave and electromagnetic signals.