Tuning into UHE Neutrinos in Antarctica - The ANITA Experiment

/ Authors

P. Miočinović, S. Barwick, J. Beatty, D. Besson, W. Binns, B. Cai, J. Clem, A. Connolly, S. Coutu, D. Cowen

and 21 more authors

P. Dowkontt, M. DuVernois, P. Evenson, D. Goldstein, P. Gorham, C. Hebert, M. Israel, J. Learned, K. Liewer, J. Link, S. Matsuno, J. Nam, C. Naudet, R. Nichol, K. Palladino, M. Rosen, D. Saltzberg, D. Seckel, A. Silvestri, G. Varner, D. Williams

/ Abstract

ice will produce a radio pulse by the means of the Askaryan effect. The large radio transparency of ice allows for such a pulse to be recorded by a cluster of balloon-borne antennas. The details of the ANITA instrument, now in a construction phase, and the science we hope to achieve is discussed. In order to prepare for the main mission, we have flown ANITA-lite during the 2003/04 austral season. ANITA-lite consisted of two quad-ridge horn antennas and a prototype RF (radio frequency) triggering and recording system. Here we present the results of an impulsive RF background survey of Antarctica, as well as proof-of-principle gain, tracking, and timing calibrations conducted by observing solar radio emissions and calibration radio-pulses. A preliminary UHE neutrino flux limit based on ANITA-lite data is also presented.