NuRadioMC: Simulating the radio emission of neutrinos from interaction to detector

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Glaser, Christian, García-Fernández, Daniel, Nelles, Anna, Alvarez-Muñiz, Jaime, Barwick, Steven W, Besson, Dave Z, Clark, Brian A, Connolly, Amy, Deaconu, Cosmin, de Vries, Krijn, Hanson, Jordan C, Hokanson-Fasig, Ben, Lahmann, R, Latif, Uzair, Kleinfelder, Stuart A, Persichilli, Christopher, Pan, Yue, Pfender, Carl, Plaisier, Ilse, Seckel, Dave, Torres, Jorge, Toscano, Simona, Nick van Eijndhoven, Vieregg, Abigail, Welling, Christoph, Winchen, Tobias, Wissel, Stephanie A
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 03.02.2020
• Subjects: Computer simulation; Design; Flexibility; Neutrinos; Physics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena; Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics; Propagation; Radio emission; Radio signals; Sensors
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1906.01670

NuRadioMC is a Monte Carlo framework designed to simulate ultra-high energy neutrino detectors that rely on the radio detection method. This method exploits the radio emission generated in the electromagnetic component of a particle shower following a neutrino interaction. NuRadioMC simulates everything from the neutrino interaction in a medium, the subsequent Askaryan radio emission, the propagation of the radio signal to the detector and finally the detector response. NuRadioMC is designed as a modern, modular Python-based framework, combining flexibility in detector design with user-friendliness. It includes a state-of-the-art event generator, an improved modelling of the radio emission, a revisited approach to signal propagation and increased flexibility and precision in the detector simulation. This paper focuses on the implemented physics processes and their implications for detector design. A variety of models and parameterizations for the radio emission of neutrino-induced showers are compared and reviewed. Comprehensive examples are used to discuss the capabilities of the code and different aspects of instrumental design decisions.