| Abstract: | In this paper we describe the first results of a compact imaging
air-Cherenkov telescope, IceAct, operating in coincidence with the IceCube
Neutrino Observatory (IceCube) at the geographic South Pole. An array of IceAct
telescopes (referred to as the IceAct project) is under consideration as part
of the IceCube-Gen2 extension to IceCube. Surface detectors in general will be
a powerful tool in IceCube-Gen2 for distinguishing astrophysical neutrinos from
the dominant backgrounds of cosmic-ray induced atmospheric muons and neutrinos:
the IceTop array is already in place as part of IceCube, but has a high energy
threshold. Although the duty cycle will be lower for the IceAct telescopes than
the present IceTop tanks, the IceAct telescopes may prove to be more effective
at lowering the detection threshold for air showers. Additionally, small
imaging air-Cherenkov telescopes in combination with IceTop, the deep IceCube
detector or other future detector systems might improve measurements of the
composition of the cosmic ray energy spectrum. In this paper we present
measurements of a first 7-pixel imaging air Cherenkov telescope demonstrator,
proving the capability of this technology to measure air showers at the South
Pole in coincidence with IceTop and the deep IceCube detector. |
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