Development of a Photon Detection Module for the Detection of Cosmogenic Neutrinos

The measurement of ultra-high-energy neutrinos is a long-standing quest in astroparticle physics. Neutrinos of these extreme energies are produced inside the sources of cosmic rays (CRs) and when CRs of the highest energies collide with cosmic microwave background photons. They help us identify the origin of CRs and tell us about the CR composition. The elusive nature of neutrinos and their low fluxes require large detector volumes, for example, by observing the atmosphere from balloons and space. We prototype and test the photosensor and signal chain of a camera for a wide-angle Schmidt optics that can be deployed on a balloon or a satellite to detect neutrinos. Such an instrument detects flashes of Cherenkov light in the Atmosphere, which are the remnants of tau neutrinos interacting in the Earth. The signal chain uses siliconphotomultipliers as photosensors and AGET ASICs as readout chips. The siliconphotomultiplier is a relatively new detector concept but, nevertheless, widely used in a vast number of applications. It has features, which are of interest not only for the detection of neutrinos but other space missions as well. It is low mass, compact, and robust. Objectives of this project include a thorough investigation of the signal chain in the lab and in the field. The results of this work help to advance the space readiness of siliconphotomultipliers, which is of interest for several proposed missions beyond the detection of neutrinos.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

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