Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


clark_thesis.pdf (13.18 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Optimization of a Search for Ultra-High Energy Neutrinos in Four Years of Data of ARA Station 2

Clark, Brian A
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563461175725125

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Physics.
Ultra-high energy neutrinos are key messengers to the distant, high energy universe, as other particles typically used in high energy astronomy---such as cosmic rays and gamma rays---are either deflected or destroyed en-route to earth from distant cosmic accelerators. Detection of these rare neutrinos requires enormous detectors, and the focus of this thesis is on analysis and hardware work completed for a next-generation pathfinder experiment, the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA). First, we present a study of radio emission observed during an X-class solar flare in the ARA prototype instrument. This radiation is the first in ARA to be reconstructed to an extraterrestrial source on an event by event basis, and is a key demonstration of ARA's ability to locate astrophysical objects in the coordinate system of the celestial sphere. Second, we present the design, characterization, and performance of a new signal conditioning module designed for ARA. The module has a small spatial and power footprint, and features a bank of eight digital, tunable step attenuators which increase the dynamic range of the instrument. Finally, we present the optimization of an analysis of four years of data of station A2, as well as lay the groundwork for the extension of that study to A3. We present the design and performance of a new event-level thermal noise rejection algorithm, and for the first time in an ARA analysis, filter events of contaminating man-made noise. Finally, we present a procedure for optimizing cuts to achieve a best expected limit taking into account separate periods of data taking livetime. Looking forward, as ARA further accumulates livetime, and our analysis efficiency improves, we anticipate being able to set world-leading limits above approximately 10 EeV by 2022. With next generation neutrino telescopes coming online---e.g., RNO, IceCube-Gen2, PUEO, etc.---along with other observatories like aLIGO, LSST, and HAWC, we anticipate an exciting next decade for the field of multimessenger astronomy.
Amy Connolly (Advisor)
John Beacom (Committee Member)
James Beatty (Committee Member)
Ezekiel Johnston-Halperin (Committee Member)
188 p.
Astrophysics; Physics
ultra-high energy neutrinos; radio-cherenkov effect; Askaryan Radio Array

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Clark, B. A. (2019). Optimization of a Search for Ultra-High Energy Neutrinos in Four Years of Data of ARA Station 2 [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563461175725125

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Clark, Brian. Optimization of a Search for Ultra-High Energy Neutrinos in Four Years of Data of ARA Station 2. 2019. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563461175725125.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Clark, Brian. "Optimization of a Search for Ultra-High Energy Neutrinos in Four Years of Data of ARA Station 2." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1563461175725125

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1563461175725125
678
© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.