The mDOM - A multi-PMT digital optical module for the IceCube-Gen2 neutrino telescope

• Main Authors: Kossatz, M., Kretzschmann, A., Lindner, S., Shuklin, D., Classen, L.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron, DESY, Hamburg 2017
• Subjects: 530; South Pole; South pole
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.3204/pubdb-2018-00028; http://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/398637

35th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Bexco, South Korea, 10 Jul 2017 - 20 Jul 2017; Proceedings of Science (ICRC2017), 1047 (2017). : Following the first observation of an astrophysical high-energy neutrino flux with the IceCubeobservatory in 2013, planning for a next-generation neutrino telescope at the South Pole, IceCube-Gen2, is under way, which will significantly expand the sensitivity both towards high and lowneutrino energies. The detector is envisioned to instrument 5 −10 km$^3$ of the deep clear ice withup to 10 000 optical modules to detect the Cherenkov light from charged secondaries created inthe interaction of neutrinos in the ice. Apart from the larger volume, a significant increase in thesensitivity is expected to originate from advanced optical modules with several concepts currentlybeing under development. One such concept is the multi-PMT Digital Optical Module (mDOM)which, in contrast to the “conventional” layout with a single ten-inch photomultiplier tube (PMT),features 24 three-inch PMTs inside a pressure vessel pointing isotropically in all directions. Thislayout provides an almost uniform angular acceptance and an increased effective area by morethan a factor two. Additionally, directional information on the detected photons is obtained andbackground can be suppressed using local coincidences while at the same time the dynamic rangeof the module is increased.The contribution provides an introduction to the design as well as an overview of the currentstatus of mDOM development and prototype construction. It also highlights further optimizationpotential and remaining challenges en route to a fully functional multi-PMT optical module forIceCube-Gen2. : Published by SISSA, Trieste