CAREER: Advancing the Search for Ultra-High-Energy Tau Neutrinos with High-Elevation Radio Detectors

超高能中微子是独特的天体物理信使，因为它们与介入物质的相互作用很弱，因此可以用来探测整个宇宙的高能量源和极端条件，并在超出标准模型的能量下测试物理学。 该奖项将支持开发一种新的概念，用于探测最高能量的τ中微子。 加州理工州立大学的研究小组将为山顶望远镜设计和部署一个原型探测器，该望远镜对高能τ中微子在地球上相互作用时产生的无线电发射敏感。 本科生将参与该项目的各个方面，从最初的模拟到探测器设计，部署和操作。 该小组还将致力于通过新的和现有的计划，如加利福尼亚州-亚利桑那州少数民族天文学研究和教育伙伴关系（CAMPARE）和路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（LSAMP），扩大在物理学中代表性不足的群体的参与。海拔山指向地平线。中微子望远镜将瞄准中微子的扩散天体物理通量以及最高能量宇宙射线在宇宙中传播时产生的中微子。模拟和场地特性研究将指导原型望远镜的设计。该原型将被部署，宇宙射线率的测量将用于估计全尺寸中微子望远镜的预期曝光。 该奖项将支持传统上代表性不足的群体的学生，以增加大学物理专业的多样性。 除了参与CAMPARE和LSAMP计划外，该小组还将设计和举办一个新的研讨会，为低年级学生提供实验研究所需的技能，为高年级学生提供教学经验。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

Ultra-high-energy neutrinos are unique astrophysical messengers as they interact only weakly with intervening matter and can therefore be used to probe high energy sources and extreme conditions throughout the universe, and to test physics at energies beyond the standard models. This award will support the development of a novel concept for the detection of the highest energy tau neutrinos. The group at the California Polytechnic State University will design and deploy a prototype detector for a mountaintop telescope sensitive to the radio emission generated when high-energy tau neutrinos interact in the Earth. Undergraduate students will be engaged in all aspects of the project from the initial simulations to detector design, deployment and operation. The group will also engage in efforts to broaden participation among underrepresented groups in physics through both new and existing programs such as the California-Arizona Minority Partnership for Astronomy Research and Education (CAMPARE) and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP).This award will support comprehensive optimization studies of the sensitivity and energy threshold of a radio-frequency tau neutrino telescope located on a high-elevation mountain pointed at the horizon. The neutrino telescope will target both the diffuse astrophysical flux of neutrinos as well as neutrinos generated by the highest energy cosmic rays as they propagate through the universe. Simulations as well as site characterization studies will guide the design of the prototype telescope. The prototype will be deployed and a measurement of cosmic ray rates will be used to estimate the expected exposure of a full-scale neutrino telescope. This award will support students from traditionally underrepresented groups with the goal of increasing the diversity of physics majors at the University. In addition to participating in the CAMPARE and LSAMP programs, the group will design and conduct a new workshop to provide lower division students with the skills needed for experimental research and upper division students with teaching experience.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.