Prospects for GeV Neutrino Transient Searches with the IceCube Upgrade
Abstract
The recent detection of TeV neutrino sources by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory demonstrates the detector's advanced capabilities in detecting high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. At lower energies, down to the GeV range, a variety of transient phenomena, such as novae, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts, are expected to emit neutrinos. Observations of these neutrinos can provide unique insights into processes below the photosphere and offer clues to identifying their emission mechanisms. We have searched for these neutrinos intensively with IceCube’s existing infill array, DeepCore. Although no significant detections have been made, strong constraints on astrophysical environments in these transients, such as the baryon loading factor in gamma-ray bursts, have been obtained. A denser infill array, called the IceCube Upgrade, will enhance sub-TeV neutrino searches with its unprecedented sensitivity to GeV neutrinos. The Upgrade, set to be deployed in the 2025-2026 South Pole season, will consist of seven new strings, adding approximately 700 novel optical modules with multiple photomultiplier tubes in the DeepCore volume. The denser arrangement of high-efficiency modules will significantly improve IceCube’s sensitivity between 1 GeV and 1 TeV. We present an initial assessment of the astrophysical capabilities of the IceCube Upgrade, using preliminary simulated data and an event selection similar to that used for DeepCore. We explore the detectability of GeV neutrino transients compared to DeepCore and discuss potential sensitivity enhancements through advanced detector simulations and optimized analysis techniques, including refined triggering conditions and event selection criteria.
Authors 96
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RWTH Aachen University · Chiba University
Affiliation as printed
III. Physikalisches Institut , RWTH Aachen University , D-52056 Aachen , Germany
The International Center for Hadron Astrophysics , Chiba University
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Affiliation as printed
Université Libre de Bruxelles , Science Faculty CP230 , B-1050 Brussels , Belgium
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University of California, Berkeley
Affiliation as printed
Dept. of Physics , University of California , Berkeley , CA 94720 , USA
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Affiliation as printed
Fakultät für Physik & Astronomie , Ruhr-Universität Bochum , D-44780 Bochum , Germany
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RWTH Aachen University · Chiba University
Affiliation as printed
III. Physikalisches Institut , RWTH Aachen University , D-52056 Aachen , Germany
The International Center for Hadron Astrophysics , Chiba University
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Georgia Institute of Technology
Affiliation as printed
School of Physics and Center for Relativistic Astrophysics , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , GA 30332 , USA
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Physics , University of Adelaide , Adelaide , 5005 , Australia
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RWTH Aachen University · Chiba University
Affiliation as printed
III. Physikalisches Institut , RWTH Aachen University , D-52056 Aachen , Germany
The International Center for Hadron Astrophysics , Chiba University
-
Affiliation as printed
Université Libre de Bruxelles , Science Faculty CP230 , B-1050 Brussels , Belgium
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RWTH Aachen University · Chiba University
Affiliation as printed
III. Physikalisches Institut , RWTH Aachen University , D-52056 Aachen , Germany
The International Center for Hadron Astrophysics , Chiba University
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RWTH Aachen University · Chiba University
Affiliation as printed
III. Physikalisches Institut , RWTH Aachen University , D-52056 Aachen , Germany
The International Center for Hadron Astrophysics , Chiba University
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Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
Affiliation as printed
Dept. of Physics , Southern University , Baton Rouge , LA 70813 , USA
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