Abstract
We report on the development status of a single-photon sensor that employs wavelength-shifting and light-guiding techniques to maximize the collection area while minimizing the dark noise rate. The sensor is tailored towards application in ice-Cherenkov neutrino detectors embedded in inert and cold, low-radioactivity and UV transparent ice as a detection medium, such as IceCube-Gen2 or MICA. The goal is to decrease the energy threshold as well as to increase the energy resolution and the vetoing capability of the neutrino telescope, when compared to a setup with optical sensors similar to those used in IceCube. The proposed sensor captures photons with wavelengths between 250 nm and 400 nm. These photons are re-emitted with wavelengths above 400 nm by a wavelength shifting coating applied to a 90 mm diameter polymer tube. The tube guides the light towards a small-diameter PMT via total internal reflection. By scaling the results from smaller laboratory prototypes, the total efficiency of the proposed detector for a Cherenkov spectrum is estimated to exceed that of a standard IceCube optical module. The status of the prototype development and the performance of its main components will be discussed.
Highlights
The sensor is tailored towards application in ice-Cherenkov neutrino detectors embedded in inert and cold, low-radioactivity and UV transparent ice as a detection medium, such as IceCube-Gen2 or MICA
By scaling the results from smaller laboratory prototypes, the total efficiency of the proposed detector for a Cherenkov spectrum is estimated to exceed that of a standard IceCube optical module
It is mainly developed to be used in IceCube-Gen2 and similar large volume neutrino Cherenkov detectors
Summary
IceCube has seen its first astrophysical neutrinos [1]. Building on this success the planned IceCubeGen facility [2] will allow for collecting higher statistics of high energy astrophysical neutrinos and a determination of the neutrino mass hierarchy. We have developed a concept that achieves this by a wavelength-shifter (WLS) coated light guiding tube connected to small PMTs. The WLS absorbs UV light (250–400 nm) and re-emits photons isotropically in the blue (> 400 nm). The shifted photons are detected by small and less noisy PMTs at the ends of the tube. This concept, the Wavelength-shifting Optical Module (WOM), provides a low cost single-photon detector, with an increased photosensitive area and reduced overall noise.
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