Modeling of the tau and muon neutrino-induced optical Cherenkov signals from upward-moving extensive air showers

We present a detailed modeling and computation methodology to determine the optical Cherenkov signals produced by upward-moving extensive air showers (EASs) induced by tau-leptons and muons, sourced from the interaction of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos interacting in the Earth. Following and extending the physics modeling and Cherenkov signal simulations performed in M. H. Reno et al. [Phys. Rev. D 100, 063010 (2019)], this scheme encompasses a new, state-of-the-art computation of the muon neutrino propagation inside the Earth and the contribution to the tau-lepton muon decay channel. The modeling takes into account all possible tau-lepton decay and muon energy loss channels that feed the optical Cherenkov emission, produced by both tau and muon initiated EASs. The EAS modeling uses the electron energy, angular, and lateral distributions in the EAS and their evolution as well as the wavelength dependence of the Cherenkov emission and its atmospheric attenuation. The results presented here arc focused on the detection capabilities of suborbital (balloon-borne) and orbital (satellite) based instruments. The latter case was calculated for POEMMA [The Probe Of Extreme MultiMessenger Astrophysics] to compare to that presented in M. H. Reno et al. [Phys. Rev. D 100, 063010 (2019)], specifically including the muon-decay channel of tau-leptons and the muonic EAS Cherenkov signal from muon neutrino interactions in the Earth. By detailing all these individual contributions to the optical Cherenkov emission and detection, we show how the ensemble that includes muonic channels provides a large detection capability for space-based, high-energy cosmic neutrino detection. Specifically, we show that for neutrino energies less than or similar to 10 PeV, the upward-EAS sensitivity due to muon neutrino interactions in the Earth begin to dominate over that for tau neutrino interactions, effectively extending the neutrino sensitivity to lower energies.

Automated summary

This study presents a detailed modeling and computation methodology for determining optical Cherenkov signals produced by upward-moving extensive air showers induced by high-energy astrophysical neutrinos interacting in the Earth. By considering all possible tau-lepton decay and muon energy loss channels, along with the wavelength dependence of Cherenkov emission and its atmospheric attenuation, the research shows the large detection capability of space-based, high-energy cosmic neutrino detection. Specifically, for neutrino energies less than or similar to 10 PeV, the study finds that the upward-EAS sensitivity due to muon neutrino interactions in the Earth begins to dominate over that for tau neutrino interactions, extending the neutrino sensitivity to lower energies.