An in situ measurement of the radio-frequency attenuation in ice at Summit Station, Greenland

We report an in situ measurement of the electric field attenuation length Lα at radio frequencies for the bulk ice at Summit Station, Greenland, made by broadcasting radio-frequency signals vertically through the ice and measuring the relative power in the return ground bounce signal. We find the de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Avva, Jessica, Kovac, John M., Miki, Christian, Saltzberg, David, Vieregg, Abigail G.
Language:unknown
Published: 2023
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1905691
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1905691
https://doi.org/10.3189/2015jog15j057
Description
Summary:We report an in situ measurement of the electric field attenuation length Lα at radio frequencies for the bulk ice at Summit Station, Greenland, made by broadcasting radio-frequency signals vertically through the ice and measuring the relative power in the return ground bounce signal. We find the depth-averaged field attenuation length to be < L α > = 947$^{+92}_{–85}$ m at 75 MHz. Here, while this measurement has clear radioglaciological applications, the radio clarity of the ice also has implications for the detection of ultra-high energy (UHE) astrophysical particles via their radio emission in dielectric media such as ice. Assuming a reliable extrapolation to higher frequencies, the measured attenuation length at Summit Station is comparable to previously measured radio-frequency attenuation lengths at candidate particle detector sites around the world, and strengthens the case for Summit Station as a promising northern site for UHE neutrino detection.