Ross Ice Shelf in situ radio-frequency ice attenuation

• Main Authors: Barrella, Taylor, Barwick, Steven, Saltzberg, David
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: arXiv 2010
• Subjects: Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics astro-ph.IM; High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena astro-ph.HE; High Energy Physics - Experiment hep-ex; FOS Physical sciences; Minna Bluff; Moore Embayment; Ross Ice Shelf; Ice Shelf
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1011.0477; https://arxiv.org/abs/1011.0477

We have measured the in situ average electric field attenuation length for radio-frequency signals broadcast vertically through the Ross Ice Shelf. We chose a location, Moore Embayment, south of Minna Bluff, known for its high reflectivity at the ice-sea interface. We confirmed specular reflection and used the return pulses to measure the average attenuation length from 75-1250 MHz over the round-trip distance of 1155 m. We find the average electric field attenuation length to vary from 500 m at 75 MHz to 300 m at 1250 MHz, with an experimental uncertainty of 55 to 15 m. We discuss the implications for neutrino telescopes that use the radio technique and include the Ross Ice Shelf as part of their sensitive volume. : 6 pages, 7 figures, Fig. 7 updated and minor text changes made since the published version