A large radio detector for neutrinos in the Antarctic Ice

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anna Nelles
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2017 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 389908307

An efficient detector for neutrinos at energies between 10^16 and 10^20 eV will be the ultimate tool to unravel the origin of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). Despite decades of research, the sources of UHECRs remain elusive, mostly due to complex interactions of the charged particles and deflection in magnetic fields. Measuring the neutrino flux related to UHECRs will provide a final say on the sources of UHECRs. Currently operating neutrino detectors are too small for the low flux and cannot be extended to volumes that promise a detection, at least not within a realistic budget. The most promising detection technique is radio detection, which can be used to instrument two orders of magnitude larger volumes than current detectors at moderate costs. Pilot-arrays have proven the suitability of the method, however, the scaling of the current arrays needs additional work with respect to an efficient detector design, analysis methods and sensitivity studies. This proposal will elaborate how the proposer is an excellent position to ensure a successful installation and operation of a large radio detector for neutrinos within the Emmy Noether Program as part of a large international collaboration. Her experience from radio arrays for air showers in hardware, analysis and simulation requirements, will be combined with the knowledge gained from the neutrino pilot-arrays, innovative analysis techniques and Monte Carlo simulations to influence critical design decisions and ensure a leading contribution to the science results. The radio technique has a great potential for future neutrino efforts and is a field of expertise that has currently no strong presence in Germany.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups