Sensitivity of the KM3NeT/ARCA neutrino telescope to point-like neutrino sources (1810.08499v2)

Abstract: KM3NeT will be a network of deep-sea neutrino telescopes in the Mediterranean Sea. The KM3NeT/ARCA detector, to be installed at the Capo Passero site (Italy), is optimised for the detection of high-energy neutrinos of cosmic origin. Thanks to its geographical location on the Northern hemisphere, KM3NeT/ARCA can observe upgoing neutrinos from most of the Galactic Plane, including the Galactic Centre. Given its effective area and excellent pointing resolution, KM3NeT/ARCA will measure or significantly constrain the neutrino flux from potential astrophysical neutrino sources. At the same time, it will test flux predictions based on gamma-ray measurements and the assumption that the gamma-ray flux is of hadronic origin. Assuming this scenario, discovery potentials and sensitivities for a selected list of Galactic sources and to generic point sources with an $E^{-2}$ spectrum are presented. These spectra are assumed to be time independent. The results indicate that an observation with $3\sigma$ significance is possible in about six years of operation for the most intense sources, such as Supernovae Remnants RX\,J1713.7-3946 and Vela Jr. If no signal will be found during this time, the fraction of the gamma-ray flux coming from hadronic processes can be constrained to be below 50\% for these two objects.

Overview of the Sensitivity of the KM3NeT/ARCA Neutrino Telescope to Point-Like Neutrino Sources

The paper presents a comprehensive paper on the KM3NeT/ARCA neutrino telescope, focusing on its sensitivity to point-like astrophysical neutrino sources. KM3NeT/ARCA is a key component of a larger infrastructure aimed at neutrino detection in the Mediterranean Sea, optimized for high-energy neutrinos of cosmic origin. The discussion centers around the telescope's potential to significantly constrain or evaluate the neutrino flux from known astrophysical sources within the Galactic Plane and beyond.

Technical Components and Methodology

KM3NeT/ARCA utilizes the Cherenkov radiation detection technique, with the installation site being Capo Passero, Italy. The setup includes two cubic-kilometer scale detectors with digital optical modules. The telescope is designed to complement the IceCube neutrino observatory by targeting a broader field of view and focusing on different sections of the sky, particularly those less visible to IceCube.

The methodology involves the use of extensive simulations to predict the sensitivity of the device toward various Galactic sources. The analysis includes recent improvements in event reconstruction and statistical methods, highlighting neutrino observations at 3σ significance within a six-year operational period for certain sources. Simulation inputs include atmospheric neutrinos, cosmic backgrounds, and potential point-source signals.

Strong Numerical Results

The research puts forward a rigorous quantitative assessment revealing that KM3NeT/ARCA can detect or tightly constrain the neutrino flux from several considered Galactic sources:

• RX J1713.7-3946: A significant 3σ observation is achievable within 5.5 years if the source is entirely of hadronic origin.
• Vela Jr: Potential detection within 6 years at a similar confidence level.

For a more generic analysis, the potential detection parameters were also set to determine sensitivity to a standard $E^{-2}$ neutrino source flux across different declinations after 6 years of data collection.

Implications and Future Developments

The implications of this paper are far-reaching, suggesting KM3NeT/ARCA's capability to provide critical insights into high-energy astrophysical processes, offering a distinct advantage due to its geographical and technological setup. The potential to constrain the hadronic component of γ-ray sources to below fifty percent highlights its contributions to multi-messenger astrophysics, especially when combined with γ-ray telescope data.

The paper’s advancements in statistical analysis and simulation techniques present a robust framework that future developments in neutrino detection hardware and software can build upon. As the capabilities of telescopes like KM3NeT/ARCA expand, they promise to enhance our understanding of sources such as supernova remnants and perhaps even identify new classes of high-energy neutrino emitters.

Conclusion

This assessment builds on the already established foundation of neutrino astronomy, aligning KM3NeT/ARCA as a crucial tool in the arsenal for astrophysical exploration. The technical rigor and strategic improvements outlined in the paper underscore the significance of continued enhancements in detector technology and analytical techniques necessary to unmask the cosmic landscape in the high-energy regime.