Dr. Kimberly Palladino

Abstract:

• ANITA project has been progressing in amazing pace • instrument is well tested, understood, and calibrated with SLAC electron beam • ANITA is now ready to detect UHE neutrinos - collaborators heading for Antarctica - two calibration radio sources scheduled to be set up. • a nominal 15 days flight should cut into expected GZK flux • hope to have a longer flight (like 42 days CREAM '0405 flight) and a positive detection of GZK neutrinos.

Abstract:

The Antarctic Impulsive Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment is being developed to search for ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrino interactions ($>3\times10^{18}$ eV) in the Antarctic ice cap. A neutrino interaction in the ice will produce a radio pulse by the means of the Askaryan effect. The large radio transparency of ice allows for such a pulse to be recorded by a cluster of balloon-borne antennas. The details of the ANITA instrument, now in a construction phase, and the science we hope to achieve is discussed. In order to prepare for the main mission, we have flown ANITA-lite during the 2003/04 austral season. ANITA-lite consisted of two quad-ridge horn antennas and a prototype RF (radio frequency) triggering and recording system. Here we present the results of an impulsive RF background survey of Antarctica, as well as proof-of-principle gain, tracking, and timing calibrations conducted by observing solar radio emissions and calibration radio-pulses. A preliminary UHE neutrino flux limit based on ANITA-lite data is also presented.