Studying solar activity using the IceCube Neutrino Observatory

Details

Supervisors

de Wasseige, Gwenhaël

Faculty

Faculté des sciences

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences physiques, à finalité approfondie

Abstract

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, situated deep in the Antarctic ice, is primarily designed to detect high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. However, due to its location and exceptionally low noise, it has the potential to probe lower-energy phenomena. This master’s thesis investigates whether solar activity leaves a measurable imprint on IceCube’s low-energy background, as recorded by its dedicated Supernova Data Acquisition system (SNDAQ). IceCube began its operations in 2011, and the solar cycle shows a roughly eleven-year periodicity. This means that for the first time, IceCube has sufficient data to investigate potential correlations between solar phenomena and variations in the detector’s background rates. To characterize the detector’s noise and isolate potential solar signatures, time series for each solar phenomenon were constructed and compared against corrected SNDAQ rates. Multiple statistical analyses, including qualitative visual inspection and three statistical tests, were applied to assess temporal coincidences and trends. The results of this analysis highlight the robustness of IceCube’s shielding against solar perturbations. Additionally, a time-frequency analysis revealed the disappearance of a previously dominant annual periodicity after correction, uncovering new and unexplained temporal structures in the background data, and opening the door for future investigations into possible extra-solar influences.