Author:
Pyras L.,Glaser C.,Hallmann S.,Nelles A.
Abstract
Abstract
Experiments seeking to detect radio emission stemming from neutrino interactions will soon
reach sensitivities that bring a detection within reach. Since experiments like RNO-G or
the future IceCube-Gen2 target more than an order of magnitude more effective volume than existing
experiments, the renewed and detailed study of rare backgrounds is needed. In this paper, we study
the potential background from energy losses of highly energetic atmospheric muons. Due to both
limited experimental measurements and limited modeling in hadronic interaction models, the
expected event rate is subject to large uncertainties. Here, we estimate rate predictions and
their uncertainties for different models and instrumental parameters. We also study possible
routes towards mitigation of the muon background, such as parent air shower detection, and
illustrate what is needed to make the first measurement of the prompt muon flux at energies above
10 PeV.
Subject
Astronomy and Astrophysics