Next-generation Neutrino Telescope Research Articles

The impact of heavy nuclei on the cosmogenic neutrino flux

As ultra-high energy cosmic ray protons propagate through the universe, they undergo photo-meson interactions with the cosmic microwave background, generating the ‘cosmogenic’ neutrino flux. If, however, a substantial fraction of the cosmic ray primaries are heavy nuclei rather than protons, they would preferentially lose energy through photo-disintegration so the corresponding neutrino flux may be substantially depleted. We investigate this issue using a Monte Carlo simulation of cosmic ray propagation through intragalactic radiation fields and assess the impact of the altered neutrino fluxes on next-generation neutrino telescopes.

Photocathodes for the Detection of Cerenkov Radiation in Deep-Water Neutrino Telescopes

The results from a comparative assessment of the applicability of various vacuum photodetectors with different types of photocathodes to next-generation neutrino telescopes are presented. It is shown how the spectrum of Cerenkov radiation is altered during its propagation through the waters of Lake Baikal and the Mediterranean Sea. The effect exerted by the dispersion of the medium on the duration of a Cerenkov light pulse is studied.