Dortmund 2021 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 47: Experimental techniques in astroparticle physics II

T 47.3: Talk

Tuesday, March 16, 2021, 16:30–16:45, Tv

The wavelength-shifting optical module (WOM) - first prototype — •Sebastian Böser for the IceCube collaboration — PRISMA+ / Institut für Physik, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Staudinger Weg 7, 55099 Mainz

The sensitivity and energy threshold of neutrino telescopes is mainly driven by the deployed photocathode area. The wavelength-shifting optical module (WOM) uses a novel approach to enhance the photon collection area while keeping the noise rate constant. Combining wavelength-shifting and light-guiding techniques, abundantly generated UV photons in the Cherenkov process are converted in a coated tube and guided to conventional PMTs at the ends. With a conversion efficiency of close to 100%, the efficiency is dominated by absorption and scattering processes in propagation. On quartz tubes with 55mm diameter photon collection efficiencies of 40% can be achieved over length larger than 60cm length.

I will report on the design and performance of a first prototype that was developed in the context of the STRAWb mission to explore the Cascadian basin as a neutrino telescope site. First in-situ results from the prototype deployed at a depth of 2539m will be presented.