Neutrino Physics and Astrophysics with IceCube DeepCore Data

埋藏在南极冰盖中的冰立方中微子天文台是世界上最大、最灵敏的高能中微子望远镜。最近添加的DeepCore低能量扩展使IceCube能够通过观测能量从10 GeV到100 GeV的大气中微子来解决粒子物理中的基本问题。有了这个奖项，宾夕法尼亚州立大学的小组将继续使用DeepCore数据来解决中微子物理的基本问题，包括测试观察到的Muon中微子振荡是否导致了tau中微子的出现，或者额外的、无菌的中微子是否参与了中微子振荡。宾夕法尼亚州立大学的小组还将使用IceCube和DeepCore来促进从宇宙线加速器搜索天体物理中微子。DeepCore将增强IceCube识别能量约为1PeV的tau中微子事件的能力。对这类事件的实时搜索可以用来识别与宇宙线加速有关的天体物理瞬变事件。此外，该小组正在研究在南极冰盖平谷安装更强大的大气中微子探测器的可行性，该探测器可能有能力探测中微子质量等级。这可能为超越标准模型的粒子物理学的基本理论提供极其宝贵的意见。广泛的影响：宾夕法尼亚州立大学小组为中学教师提供夏季专业发展研讨会，使他们接触到粒子天体物理学的前沿研究。他们开发了一个版本的研讨会，重点是让教育工作者亲身体验操作最先进的粒子探测器，以及更简单的活动和可以在高中课堂上轻松使用的材料。此外，该小组还为各级青年物理学家提供参与粒子天体物理学的机会，特别强调鼓励妇女和代表性不足的群体参与。

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, embedded in the ice cap at the South Pole, is the world's largest and most sensitive high energy neutrino telescope. The recent addition of the DeepCore low energy extension allows IceCube to address fundamental questions in particle physics through the observation of atmospheric neutrinos at energies from 10 to 100 GeV. With this award the Penn State group will continue to use DeepCore data to address fundamental questions of neutrino physics, including testing whether the observed muon neutrino oscillations lead to tau neutrino appearance, or whether extra, sterile neutrino flavors are involved in neutrino oscillations. The Penn State group will also use IceCube and DeepCore to facilitate searches for astrophysical neutrinos from accelerators of cosmic rays. DeepCore will enhance IceCube's ability to identify tau neutrino events at energies of around 1 PeV. Real-time searches for such events can be used to identify astrophysical transient events associated with cosmic ray acceleration. In addition, the group is studying the feasibility of implementing an even more powerful atmospheric neutrino detector in the Antarctic ice cap, known as PINGU, which might have the ability to probe the neutrino mass hierarchy. This could provide extremely valuable input to fundamental theories of particle physics beyond the Standard Model.Broader Impact: The Penn State group offers a summer professional development workshop for secondary school teachers, which exposes them to forefront research in particle astrophysics. They have developed a version of the workshop focused on giving the educators a hands-on experience in operating state-of-the-art particle detectors, as well as on simpler activities and materials which can be easily used in the high school classroom. In addition, the group provides opportunities for young physicists at all levels to become involved in particle astrophysics, with a particular emphasis on encouraging participation among women and underrepresented groups.