Search for a diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux from the Galactic Ridge using KM3NeT/ARCA data

AbstraktAbstract

Several theoretical models predict and describe the properties of part of the diffuse neutrino flux, originating from the interaction of Galactic cosmic rays with the interstellar medium matter located in the centre of our Galaxy. This neutrino flux is expected to be of the same order of magnitude as the diffuse γ-ray flux measured by Fermi-LAT, close to the Galactic plane. Recently hints by the ANTARES Collaboration, at a significance level over 2 σ, and the observation by the IceCube Collaboration, at a significance level of 4.5 σ, of a high-energy neutrino emission from the Galactic plane have been reported. For these reasons, and considering the privileged position of the KM3NeT/ARCA telescope, being located in the Northern hemisphere, data have been analysed searching for a possible excess of events coming from an extended region, with Galactic coordinates |l| < 30◦ and |b| < 2◦, namely the Galactic Ridge. In this contribution, the result of the analysis exploiting data gathered with KM3NeT/ARCA in the period in which comprises 6, 8, 19 or 21 active detection units is presented, showing the capabilities and performance of KM3NeT.

Several theoretical models predict and describe the properties of part of the diffuse neutrino flux, originating from the interaction of Galactic cosmic rays with the interstellar medium matter located in the centre of our Galaxy. This neutrino flux is expected to be of the same order of magnitude as the diffuse γ-ray flux measured by Fermi-LAT, close to the Galactic plane. Recently hints by the ANTARES Collaboration, at a significance level over 2 σ, and the observation by the IceCube Collaboration, at a significance level of 4.5 σ, of a high-energy neutrino emission from the Galactic plane have been reported. For these reasons, and considering the privileged position of the KM3NeT/ARCA telescope, being located in the Northern hemisphere, data have been analysed searching for a possible excess of events coming from an extended region, with Galactic coordinates |l| < 30◦ and |b| < 2◦, namely the Galactic Ridge. In this contribution, the result of the analysis exploiting data gathered with KM3NeT/ARCA in the period in which comprises 6, 8, 19 or 21 active detection units is presented, showing the capabilities and performance of KM3NeT.