ABSTRACT. An existing array of underwater, large-bandwidth acoustic sensors has been used to study the detection of ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrinos in cosmic rays. Acoustic data from a subset of seven hydrophones located at a depth of ~1600 m have been acquired for a total live time of 195 days. For the first time, a large sample of acoustic background events has been studied for the purpose of extracting signals from super-EeV showers. As a test of the technique, an upper limit for the flux of UHE neutrinos is presented, along with considerations relevant to the design of an acoustic array optimized for neutrino detection.

Subject headings: cosmic rays; neutrinos

Print publication: Issue 1 (2005 March 1)
Received 2004 June 7, accepted for publication 2004 August 11