Tuning into UHE Neutrinos in Antarctica - The ANITA Experiment

• Main Authors: Miocinovic, P, Barwick, S W, Beatty, J J, Besson, D Z, Binns, W R, Cai, B, Clem, J M, Connolly, A, Coutu, S, Cowen, D F, Dowkontt, P F, Duvernois, M A, Evenson, P A, Goldstein, D, Gorham, P W, Hebert, C L, Israel, M H, Learned, J G, Liewer, K M, Link, J T, Matsuno, S, Nam, J W, Naudet, C J, Nichol, R, Palladino, K J, Rosen, M, Saltzberg, D, Seckel, D, Silvestri, A, Varner, G S, Williams, D
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: Astrophysics and Astronomy; Antarctic; Austral; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice cap
• Online Access: http://cds.cern.ch/record/827661

The Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment is being developed to search for ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrino interactions ($>3\times10^{18}$ eV) in the Antarctic ice cap. A neutrino interaction in the ice will produce a radio pulse by the means of the Askaryan effect. The large radio transparency of ice allows for such a pulse to be recorded by a cluster of balloon-borne antennas. The details of the ANITA instrument, now in a construction phase, and the science we hope to achieve is discussed. In order to prepare for the main mission, we have flown ANITA-lite during the 2003/04 austral season. ANITA-lite consisted of two quad-ridge horn antennas and a prototype RF (radio frequency) triggering and recording system. Here we present the results of an impulsive RF background survey of Antarctica, as well as proof-of-principle gain, tracking, and timing calibrations conducted by observing solar radio emissions and calibration radio-pulses. A preliminary UHE neutrino flux limit based on ANITA-lite data is also presented.