Why a new neutrino telescope? Because we can.

Project Information

NEUTRINOSHOT

Grant agreement ID: 101053168

DOI

10.3030/101053168

EC signature date 8 July 2022

Start date 1 September 2022

End date 31 August 2027

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 3 169 384,00

EU contribution

€ 3 169 384,00

Coordinated by

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NEUTRINOSHOT (Why a new neutrino telescope? Because we can.)

Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2025-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The NEUTRINOSHOT project is pioneering the next frontier in neutrino astronomy by laying the groundwork for a novel neutrino telescope in the Pacific Ocean. High-energy neutrinos, elusive cosmic messengers, provide unique insights into some of the most energetic and puzzling phenomena in the universe, including supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and black hole activity. However, detecting these neutrinos requires state-of-the-art instrumentation capable of operating in extreme environments.

The project has in the first two years focused on the design, construction, and testing of Line 1, the first kilometer-high instrumented mooring line optimized for deep-sea deployment. The Cascadia Basin in the Pacific Ocean, at a depth of 2,660 meters, was selected as the installation site after extensive environmental studies confirmed its suitability. These studies included bioluminescence observations, water transparency measurements and natural radioactivity analyses. Line 1 is scheduled for deployment in 2025, marking a critical milestone on the path to an operational neutrino telescope.

Technological innovation is at the heart of NEUTRINOSHOT. The design of Line 1 incorporates advanced optical modules to detect faint neutrino signals, a high-precision timing system to synchronize observations, and a robust deep-sea infrastructure to ensure longevity and reliability. In collaboration with Ocean Networks Canada, European industrial partners and academic institutions in Europe, Canada and the USA, the project sets new standards in interdisciplinary research. In particular, the integration of environmental monitoring systems into the telescope's design bridges the fields of oceanography and particle physics, paving the way for pioneering climate and ocean studies.

By developing scalable, cost-effective solutions for neutrino detection, NEUTRINOSHOT aims to transform our understanding of the cosmos. This effort is part of a broader vision to build a next-generation neutrino telescope called the Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment (P-ONE), which will act as a catalyzer for a global network of neutrino observatories, providing all-sky coverage and unprecedented sensitivity to high-energy neutrino sources.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The NEUTRINOSHOT project has made significant progress:

1. Environmental Site Assessment
A comprehensive assessment of the Cascadia Basin, the selected site for the NEUTRINOSHOT telescope, was successfully completed. This included detailed studies of bioluminescence activity, biofouling, water transparency, and natural radioactivity, particularly potassium-40 levels in deep-sea water. The results confirmed that the basin provides an optimal dark and stable environment, which is critical for high sensitivity neutrino detection. These studies were conducted using advanced photomultiplier tubes and underwater cameras, with successful deployment and recovery of test mooring lines in collaboration with Ocean Networks Canada.

2. Design, engineering and testing of Line 1
The project achieved key milestones in the design and engineering of Line 1, a kilometer-long instrumented mooring line. The line includes:
- Optical modules: Equipped with photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to detect faint neutrino signals and advanced calibration systems for precision measurements.
- Timing and Data Systems: High-precision timing infrastructure capable of sub-nanosecond synchronization, ensuring accurate signal reconstruction.
- Structural Design: A robust hybrid cable system and titanium-encapsulated terminations for long-term reliability in harsh deep-sea environments.

3. Data Processing Framework
The team has developed a comprehensive data processing framework:
- Online data processing: Real-time data acquisition, triggering, and initial reduction for immediate analysis and alert generation.
- Offline Data Processing: Scalable solutions for in-depth analysis and storage, leveraging state-of-the-art technologies such as Apache Kafka and Apache Spark.


4. Optimization for the P-ONE telescope
To improve the long-term prospects of the P-ONE project, the team has developed machine learning-based surrogate models to optimize the telescope's array geometry and detector response.

Key Achievements
- Completed the environmental assessment of the Cascadia Basin, establishing it as a prime site for neutrino astronomy.
- Completed the baseline design for Line 1, incorporating innovative technologies to ensure operability in deep-sea environments.
- Develop a robust data processing system to handle the high volume of data expected from the telescope.
- Create AI-driven optimization tools to refine detector designs to ensure scalability and cost effectiveness.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The NEUTRINOSHOT project has produced several milestones towards the installation of three completely instrumented mooring lines that represent significant advances in neutrino astronomy, deep-sea instrumentation, and interdisciplinary research. These achievements push the boundaries of current scientific and technological capabilities and lay the groundwork for transformative impacts in multiple fields.

1. Novel instrument design

The development of Line 1 introduces a novel kilometer-high instrumented mooring line that sets a new standard for scalability, robustness, and operational reliability in extreme environments.
The use of titanium-encapsulated optical modules, hybrid cable systems, and innovative termination designs eliminates traditional failure points, significantly improving the longevity and efficiency of deep-sea instrumentation.
Impact: This robust design ensures long-term data acquisition in harsh oceanic conditions, enabling a new era of high-energy neutrino detection with greater sensitivity and coverage.

2. Integration of Advanced Technologies
The project has achieved sub-nanosecond timing synchronization and implemented advanced data processing frameworks that enable real-time analysis and alert generation.
The machine learning-based surrogate models for detector optimization have dramatically reduced the computational effort required to evaluate and refine detector configurations.
Impact: These advances improve the precision, efficiency, and adaptability of neutrino telescopes and set the stage for global collaborative networks of next-generation detectors.

3. Interdisciplinary contributions
The integration of environmental monitoring systems into the instrumented lines bridges oceanography and particle physics, allowing the simultaneous study of oceanic processes and cosmic phenomena.
Impact: This interdisciplinary approach opens new avenues for research in climate science, ocean monitoring, and global environmental studies, while fostering collaboration across scientific disciplines.

4. Global Collaboration and Vision
The project has catalyzed the formation of the P-ONE international collaboration, which promotes international efforts towards a next generation neutrino telescope. Moreover, we also established PLEnuM, an effort to assess the potentialities of a distributed global neutrino telescope network. Collaborative partnerships with Ocean Networks Canada, European industry leaders, and academic institutions worldwide have strengthened the project's global footprint.
Impact: The establishment of P-ONE an an all-sky neutrino observatory promises unprecedented scientific opportunities, including insights into the origins of high-energy neutrinos and the most energetic processes in the universe.

Assembled first line of P-ONE