Bonn 2010 – scientific programme
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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik
T 112: Experimentelle Techniken der Astroteilchenphysik II
T 112.8: Talk
Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 18:35–18:50, HG ÜR 1
Calibration of acoustic sensors in ice using the reciprocity method — •Thomas Meures1, Martin Bissok1, Karim Laihem1, Larissa Paul1, Benjamin Semburg2, Christopher Wiebusch1, and Simon Zierke1 — 1III. Physikalisches Institut, RWTH Aachen, D-52056 Aachen — 2Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Fachbereich C, 42097 Wuppertal
Within the IceCube experiment at the South Pole an R&D program investigates new ways of ultra high energy neutrino detection. In particular when aiming for detector volumes of the order of 100 km3 acoustic or radio detectors are promising approaches. The acoustic detection method relies on the thermo-acoustic effect occurring when high energetic particles interact and deposit heat within a detection medium. This effect is investigated in the Aachen Acoustic Laboratory (AAL). The high energy particle interaction is simulated by a powerful pulsed Nd:YAG LASER shooting into a 3 m3 tank of clear ice (or water). Eighteen acoustic sensors are situated on three rings in different depths and record the generated signals. These sensors serve as reference for later measurements of other devices. The reciprocity method, used for the absolute calibration of these sensors, is independent of an absolutely calibrated reference. This method and its application to the calibration of the AAL sensors are presented and first results are shown.