Design and Validation of a Cosmic Muon-Based Testing Method for IceCube-Gen2 Optical Modules
Le résumé fourni par la source
This record presents a research poster titled “Design and Validation of a Cosmic Muon–Based Testing Method for IceCube-Gen2 Optical Modules.” The work introduces a physics-informed quality-control methodology for next-generation optical modules of the IceCube-Gen2 Neutrino Observatory, which plans to deploy approximately 10,000 modules to extend sensitivity to TeV–PeV astrophysical neutrinos. The proposed approach exploits naturally occurring atmospheric cosmic muons as an intrinsic calibration and validation source during Final Acceptance Testing (FAT). The method integrates waveform inspection, charge distribution profiling, inter-channel (dual-gain) charge correlation, and inter-PMT coincidence analysis to assess micro-base electronics performance and system-level consistency, without reliance on external calibration light sources. The protocol was validated using data from six integrated LOM-16 modules, including the first batch scheduled for deployment at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station. Dedicated muon runs were performed at −40 °C under production-like conditions. In parallel, a detailed GEANT4 simulation implementing the latest LOM-16 geometry was developed, with atmospheric muon flux normalized to Particle Data Group (PDG) references, enabling direct comparison between data and simulation. Results show characteristic muon-induced charge distributions peaking around 130–140 photoelectrons, hemisphere-dependent broadening consistent with detector geometry, and reasonably good agreement between measured and simulated polar-PMT coincidence rates. These findings demonstrate that cosmic-muon-based measurements provide a robust, scalable, and deployment-relevant indicator of correct module and system operation. This work supports the use of cosmic muons as a practical QC tool during mass production of IceCube-Gen2 optical modules and highlights the importance of dual-gain readout for high-dynamic-range detector validation.
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