Heidelberg 2007 – scientific programme
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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik
T 415: Exp. Methoden der Astroteilchenphysik I
T 415.7: Talk
Thursday, March 8, 2007, 18:20–18:35, INF 306 SR 14
Present Status of the South Pole Acoustic Test Setup (SPATS) — •Delia Tosi1, Sebastian Böser1, Christian Bohm3, Freija Descamps1,5, Jan-Henrik Fischer1, Allan Hallgren4, Reiner Heller1, Stephan Hundertmark3, Kevin Krieger1, Rolf Nahnhauer1, Mario Pohl1, Buford Price2, Karl-Heinz Sulanke1, and Justin Vandenbroucke2 — 1DESY, D-15738 Zeuthen,Germany — 2University of California, Berkeley,CA 94720, USA — 3Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden — 4Uppsala University,SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden — 5Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Acoustic detection in ice is a promising method to investigate the low flux of ultra high energy neutrinos (E>1018 eV).Due to the long predicted attenuation length of acoustic waves generated by neutrino-induced cascades,a volume of several km3, as available in the polar ice cap,may be equipped with sparse sensors.In order to study in-situ the absorption,the refraction of sound and the background noise,the South Pole Acoustic Test Setup (SPATS),consisting of 21 pairs of sensors and transmitters organized in 3 strings,has been developed.Low temperature tests simulating the harsh South Pole environment and long range tests in an ice-covered lake have been undertaken.The results obtained demonstrate the robustness of the setup and allow a first estimate of the expected performance.A simulation showing the capability of the system concerning refraction and absorptivity of the ice will be presented,together with the first results of the installed setup,which is planned to be deployed in the austral summer season 2006-2007.