Capabilities of an Underwater Detector as a Neutrino Telescope and for the Neutrino Oscillation Search

Abstract

We report on the results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of a km^3 scale deep underwater Cherenkov detector aimed at detecting neutrinos of astrophysical origin. This analysis has been undertaken as part of the NEMO R&D project to develop such an experiment close to the Southern Italian coasts. We have studied the reconstruction capabilities of various arrays of phototubes in order to determine the detector geometries which optimize performance and cost. We have also investigated the possibility of designing a detector with characteristics suited to an experiment on atmospheric neutrino oscillations.

4 pages with 3 figures