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Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Garcia Soto, A.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lazo, A.; Lessing, N.; Manczak, J.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pastor Gomez, E.J.; Rahaman, U.; Real, D.; Saina, A.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sanchez Losa, A.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Embedded software of the KM3NeT central logic board Type Journal Article
Year 2024 Publication Computer Physics Communications Abbreviated Journal Comput. Phys. Commun.
Volume 296 Issue Pages 109036 - 15pp
Keywords Embedded software; Neutrino detectors; Synchronization networks
Abstract The KM3NeT Collaboration is building and operating two deep sea neutrino telescopes at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The telescopes consist of latices of photomultiplier tubes housed in pressure-resistant glass spheres, called digital optical modules and arranged in vertical detection units. The two main scientific goals are the determination of the neutrino mass ordering and the discovery and observation of high-energy neutrino sources in the Universe. Neutrinos are detected via the Cherenkov light, which is induced by charged particles originated in neutrino interactions. The photomultiplier tubes convert the Cherenkov light into electrical signals that are acquired and timestamped by the acquisition electronics. Each optical module houses the acquisition electronics for collecting and timestamping the photomultiplier signals with one nanosecond accuracy. Once finished, the two telescopes will have installed more than six thousand optical acquisition nodes, completing one of the more complex networks in the world in terms of operation and synchronization. The embedded software running in the acquisition nodes has been designed to provide a framework that will operate with different hardware versions and functionalities. The hardware will not be accessible once in operation, which complicates the embedded software architecture. The embedded software provides a set of tools to facilitate remote manageability of the deployed hardware, including safe reconfiguration of the firmware. This paper presents the architecture and the techniques, methods and implementation of the embedded software running in the acquisition nodes of the KM3NeT neutrino telescopes. Program summary Program title: Embedded software for the KM3NeT CLB CPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/s847hpsns4.1 Licensing provisions: GNU General Public License 3 Programming language: C Nature of problem: The challenge for the embedded software in the KM3NeT neutrino telescope lies in orchestrating the Digital Optical Modules (DOMs) to achieve the synchronized data acquisition of the incoming optical signals. The DOMs are the crucial component responsible for capturing neutrino interactions deep underwater. The embedded software must configure and precisely time the operation of each DOM. Any deviation or timing mismatch could compromise data integrity, undermining the scientific value of the experiment. Therefore, the embedded software plays a critical role in coordinating, synchronizing, and operating these modules, ensuring they work in unison to capture and process neutrino signals accurately, ultimately advancing our understanding of fundamental particles in the Universe. Solution method: The embedded software on the DOMs provides a solution based on a C-based bare-metal application, operating without a real-time embedded OS. It is loaded into the RAM during FPGA configuration, consuming less than 256 kB of RAM. The software architecture comprises two layers: system software and application. The former offers OS-like features, including a multitasking scheduler, firmware updates, peripheral drivers, a UDP-based network stack, and error handling utilities. The application layer contains a state machine ensuring consistent program states. It is navigated via slow control events, including external inputs and autonomous responses. Subsystems within the application code control specific acquisition electronics components via the associated driver abstractions. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: Due to the operation conditions of the neutrino telescope, where access is restricted, the embedded software implements a fail-safe procedure to reconfigure the firmware where the embedded software runs.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.; Sinopoulou, A.; Tosta e Melo, I] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: km3net-pc@km3net.de;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0010-4655 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:001162587500001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5961
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Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aitllo, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Garcia Soto, A.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lazo, A.; Lessing, N.; Manczak, J.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pastor Gomez, E.J.; Rahaman, U.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sanchez Losa, A.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Probing invisible neutrino decay with KM3NeT/ORCA Type Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 04 Issue 4 Pages 090 - 30pp
Keywords Beyond Standard Model; Neutrino Detectors and Telescopes (experiments); Oscillation
Abstract In the era of precision measurements of the neutrino oscillation parameters, upcoming neutrino experiments will also be sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model. KM3NeT/ORCA is a neutrino detector optimised for measuring atmospheric neutrinos from a few GeV to around 100 GeV. In this paper, the sensitivity of the KM3NeT/ORCA detector to neutrino decay has been explored. A three-flavour neutrino oscillation scenario, where the third neutrino mass state v3 decays into an invisible state, e.g. a sterile neutrino, is considered. We find that KM3NeT/ORCA would be sensitive to invisible neutrino decays with 1/alpha 3 = T3/m3 < 180 ps/eV at 90% confidence level, assuming true normal ordering. Finally, the impact of neutrino decay on the precision of KM3NeT/ORCA measurements for theta(23), Delta m(31)(2) and mass ordering have been studied. No significant effect of neutrino decay on the sensitivity to these measurements has been found.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] INFN, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: victor.carretero@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000992450100002 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5564
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Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Illuminati, G.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Manczak, J.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Sensitivity to light sterile neutrino mixing parameters with KM3NeT/ORCA Type Journal Article
Year 2021 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 10 Issue 10 Pages 180 - 26pp
Keywords Neutrino Detectors and Telescopes (experiments); Oscillation
Abstract KM3NeT/ORCA is a next-generation neutrino telescope optimised for atmospheric neutrino oscillations studies. In this paper, the sensitivity of ORCA to the presence of a light sterile neutrino in a 3+1 model is presented. After three years of data taking, ORCA will be able to probe the active-sterile mixing angles theta(14), theta(24), theta(34) and the effective angle theta(mu e), over a broad range of mass squared difference Delta m(41)(2) similar to [10(-5), 10] eV(2), allowing to test the eV-mass sterile neutrino hypothesis as the origin of short baseline anomalies, as well as probing the hypothesis of a very light sterile neutrino, not yet constrained by cosmology. ORCA will be able to explore a relevant fraction of the parameter space not yet reached by present measurements.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: jcoelho@apc.in2p3.fr;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000710339200001 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5010
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lazo, A.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sanchez Losa, A.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Nanobeacon: A time calibration device for the KM3NeT neutrino telescope Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research A Abbreviated Journal Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A
Volume 1040 Issue Pages 167132 - 13pp
Keywords Time calibration; Instrumentation; Neutrino telescopes
Abstract The KM3NeT Collaboration is currently constructing a multi-site high-energy neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea consisting of matrices of pressure-resistant glass spheres, each holding a set of 31 small-area photomultipliers. The main goals of the telescope are the observation of neutrino sources in the Universe and the measurement of the neutrino oscillation parameters with atmospheric neutrinos. A relative time synchronisation between photomultipliers of the nanosecond order needed to guarantee the required angular resolution of the detector. Due to the large detector volumes to be instrumented by KM3NeT, a cost reduction of the different systems is a priority. To this end, the inexpensive Nanobeacon has been designed and developed by the KM3NeT Collaboration to be used for detector time-calibration studies. At present, more than 600 & nbsp;Nanobeacons have been already produced. The characterisation of the optical pulse and the wavelength emission profile of the devices is critical for the time calibration. The optical pulse rise time has been quantified as less than 3 ns, while the Full Width Half Maximum is less than 6 ns. The wavelength drift, due to a variation of the supply voltage, has also been qualified as lower than 10 nm for the full range of the Nanobeacon. In this paper, more details about the main features of the Nanobeacon design, production and operation, together with the main properties of the light pulse generated are described.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: sagreus@ific.uv.es;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-9002 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000841467100009 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5342
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Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Garcia Soto, A.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lazo, A.; Manczak, J.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sanchez Losa, A.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title The KM3NeT multi-PMT optical module Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 17 Issue 7 Pages P07038 - 28pp
Keywords Cherenkov detectors; Large detector systems for particle and astroparticle physics; Neutrino detectors
Abstract The optical module of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope is an innovative multi-faceted large area photodetection module. It contains 31 three-inch photomultiplier tubes in a single 0.44 m diameter pressure-resistant glass sphere. The module is a sensory device also comprising calibration instruments and electronics for power, readout and data acquisition. It is capped with a breakout-box with electronics for connection to an electro-optical cable for power and long-distance communication to the onshore control station. The design of the module was qualified for the first time in the deep sea in 2013. Since then, the technology has been further improved to meet requirements of scalability, cost-effectiveness and high reliability. The module features a sub-nanosecond timing accuracy and a dynamic range allowing the measurement of a single photon up to a cascade of thousands of photons, suited for the measurement of the Cherenkov radiation induced in water by secondary particles from interactions of neutrinos with energies in the range of GeV to PeV. A distributed production model has been implemented for the delivery of more than 6000 modules in the coming few years with an average production rate of more than 100 modules per month. In this paper a review is presented of the design of the multi-PMT KM3NeT optical module with a proven effective background suppression and signal recognition and sensitivity to the incoming direction of photons.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Italy, Italy, Email: km3net-pc@km3net.de
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher IOP Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1748-0221 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000898568200003 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5449
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Garcia Soto, A.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lazo, A.; Manczak, J.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Sanchez Losa, A.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Combined sensitivity of JUNO and KM3NeT/ORCA to the neutrino mass ordering Type Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Journal of High Energy Physics Abbreviated Journal J. High Energy Phys.
Volume 03 Issue 3 Pages 055 - 31pp
Keywords Neutrino Detectors and Telescopes (experiments); Oscillation
Abstract This article presents the potential of a combined analysis of the JUNO and KM3NeT/ORCA experiments to determine the neutrino mass ordering. This combination is particularly interesting as it significantly boosts the potential of either detector, beyond simply adding their neutrino mass ordering sensitivities, by removing a degeneracy in the determination of Delta M-31(2) between the two experiments when assuming the wrong ordering. The study is based on the latest projected performances for JUNO, and on simulation tools using a full Monte Carlo approach to the KM3NeT/ORCA response with a careful assessment of its energy systematics. From this analysis, a 5 sigma determination of the neutrino mass ordering is expected after 6 years of joint data taking for any value of the oscillation parameters. This sensitivity would be achieved after only 2 years of joint data taking assuming the current global best-fit values for those parameters for normal ordering.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Bruno, R.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Italy, Italy, Email: nchau@apc.in2p3.fr;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Springer Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1029-8479 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000767221800005 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 5181
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Barrios-Marti, J.; Calvo, D.; Coleiro, A.; Colomer, M.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Illuminati, G.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Lotze, M.; Real, D.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Sensitivity of the KM3NeT/ARCA neutrino telescope to point-like neutrino sources Type Journal Article
Year 2019 Publication Astroparticle Physics Abbreviated Journal Astropart Phys.
Volume 111 Issue Pages 100-110
Keywords Astrophysical neutrino sources; Cherenkov underwater neutrino telescope; KM3NeT
Abstract KM3NeT will be a network of deep-sea neutrino telescopes in the Mediterranean Sea. The KM3NeT/ARCA detector, to be installed at the Capo Passero site (Italy), is optimised for the detection of high-energy neutrinos of cosmic origin. Thanks to its geographical location on the Northern hemisphere, KM3NeT/ARCA can observe upgoing neutrinos from most of the Galactic Plane, including the Galactic Centre. Given its effective area and excellent pointing resolution, KM3NeT/ARCA will measure or significantly constrain the neutrino flux from potential astrophysical neutrino sources. At the same time, it will test flux predictions based on gamma-ray measurements and the assumption that the gamma-ray flux is of hadronic origin. Assuming this scenario, discovery potentials and sensitivities for a selected list of Galactic sources and to generic point sources with an E(-2 )spectrum are presented. These spectra are assumed to be time independent. The results indicate that an observation with 3 sigma significance is possible in about six years of operation for the most intense sources, such as Supernovae Remnants RX J1713.7-3946 and Vela Jr. If no signal will be found during this time, the fraction of the gamma-ray flux coming from hadronic processes can be constrained to be below 50% for these two objects.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.; Tatone, F.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: sapienza@lns.infn.it;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Science Bv Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0927-6505 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000470047300008 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4047
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Calvo, D.; Coleiro, A.; Colomer, M.; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Illuminati, G.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Manczak, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title The Control Unit of the KM3NeT Data Acquisition System Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Computer Physics Communications Abbreviated Journal Comput. Phys. Commun.
Volume 256 Issue Pages 107433 - 16pp
Keywords KM3NeT; Data acquisition control; Neutrino detector; Astroparticle detector; 07.05.Hd; 29.85.Ca
Abstract The KM3NeT Collaboration runs a multi-site neutrino observatory in the Mediterranean Sea. Water Cherenkov particle detectors, deep in the sea and far off the coasts of France and Italy, are already taking data while incremental construction progresses. Data Acquisition Control software is operating off-shore detectors as well as testing and qualification stations for their components. The software, named Control Unit, is highly modular. It can undergo upgrades and reconfiguration with the acquisition running. Interplay with the central database of the Collaboration is obtained in a way that allows for data taking even if Internet links fail. In order to simplify the management of computing resources in the long term, and to cope with possible hardware failures of one or more computers, the KM3NeT Control Unit software features a custom dynamic resource provisioning and failover technology, which is especially important for ensuring continuity in case of rare transient events in multi-messenger astronomy. The software architecture relies on ubiquitous tools and broadly adopted technologies and has been successfully tested on several operating systems.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: cbozza@unisa.it;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0010-4655 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000590251400011 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4616
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Corredoira, I; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Illuminati, G.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Manczak, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title gSeaGen: The KM3NeT GENIE-based code for neutrino telescopes Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Computer Physics Communications Abbreviated Journal Comput. Phys. Commun.
Volume 256 Issue Pages 107477 - 15pp
Keywords Astroparticle physics; High energy neutrinos; Monte Carlo event generator; Neutrino telescopes; Neutrino oscillations; KM3NeT; GENIE
Abstract The gSeaGen code is a GENIE-based application developed to efficiently generate high statistics samples of events, induced by neutrino interactions, detectable in a neutrino telescope. The gSeaGen code is able to generate events induced by all neutrino flavours, considering topological differences between tracktype and shower-like events. Neutrino interactions are simulated taking into account the density and the composition of the media surrounding the detector. The main features of gSeaGen are presented together with some examples of its application within the KM3NeT project. Program summary Program Title: gSeaGen CPC Library link to program files: http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/ymgxvy2br4.1 Licensing provisions: GPLv3 Programming language: C++ External routines/libraries: GENIE [1] and its external dependencies. Linkable to MUSIC [2] and PROPOSAL [3]. Nature of problem: Development of a code to generate detectable events in neutrino telescopes, using modern and maintained neutrino interaction simulation libraries which include the state-of-the-art physics models. The default application is the simulation of neutrino interactions within KM3NeT [4]. Solution method: Neutrino interactions are simulated using GENIE, a modern framework for Monte Carlo event generators. The GENIE framework, used by nearly all modern neutrino experiments, is considered as a reference code within the neutrino community. Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The code was tested with GENIE version 2.12.10 and it is linkable with release series 3. Presently valid up to 5 TeV. This limitation is not intrinsic to the code but due to the present GENIE valid energy range. References: [1] C. Andreopoulos at al., Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A614 (2010) 87. [2] P. Antonioli et al., Astropart. Phys. 7 (1997) 357. [3] J. H. Koehne et al., Comput. Phys. Commun. 184 (2013) 2070. [4] S. Adrian-Martinez et al., J. Phys. G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 43 (2016) 084001.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: distefano_c@lns.infn.it
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Elsevier Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0010-4655 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000564482200008 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4520
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author KM3NeT Collaboration (Aiello, S. et al); Alves Garre, S.; Calvo, D.; Carretero, V.; Colomer, M.; Corredoira, I; Gozzini, S.R.; Hernandez-Rey, J.J.; Illuminati, G.; Khan Chowdhury, N.R.; Manczak, J.; Muñoz Perez, D.; Palacios Gonzalez, J.; Pieterse, C.; Real, D.; Salesa Greus, F.; Thakore, T.; Zornoza, J.D.; Zuñiga, J.
Title Deep-sea deployment of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope detection units by self-unrolling Type Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Journal of Instrumentation Abbreviated Journal J. Instrum.
Volume 15 Issue 11 Pages P11027 - 18pp
Keywords Cherenkov detectors; Manufacturing; Overall mechanics design (support structures and materials, vibration analysis etc); Special cables
Abstract KM3NeT is a research infrastructure being installed in the deep Mediterranean Sea. It will house a neutrino telescope comprising hundreds of networked moorings – detection units or strings – equipped with optical instrumentation to detect the Cherenkov radiation generated by charged particles from neutrino-induced collisions in its vicinity. In comparison to moorings typically used for oceanography, several key features of the KM3NeT string are different: the instrumentation is contained in transparent and thus unprotected glass spheres; two thin Dyneema (R) ropes are used as strength members; and a thin delicate backbone tube with fibre-optics and copper wires for data and power transmission, respectively, runs along the full length of the mooring. Also, compared to other neutrino telescopes such as ANTARES in the Mediterranean Sea and GVD in Lake Baikal, the KM3NeT strings are more slender to minimise the amount of material used for support of the optical sensors. Moreover, the rate of deploying a large number of strings in a period of a few years is unprecedented. For all these reasons, for the installation of the KM3NeT strings, a custom-made, fast deployment method was designed. Despite the length of several hundreds of metres, the slim design of the string allows it to be compacted into a small, re-usable spherical launching vehicle instead of deploying the mooring weight down from a surface vessel. After being lowered to the seafloor, the string unfurls to its full length with the buoyant launching vehicle rolling along the two ropes. The design of the vehicle, the loading with a string, and its underwater self-unrolling are detailed in this paper.
Address (up) [Aiello, S.; Leonora, E.; Longhitano, F.; Randazzo, N.] Ist Nazl Fis Nucl, Sez Catania, Via Santa Sofia 64, I-95123 Catania, Italy, Email: eberbee@km3net.de;
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop Publishing Ltd Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1748-0221 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes WOS:000595650800015 Approved no
Is ISI yes International Collaboration yes
Call Number IFIC @ pastor @ Serial 4632
Permanent link to this record