Improving the efficiency of cascade detection by the Baikal-GVD neutrino telescope

Abstract

The deployment of the Baikal-GVD deep underwater neutrino telescope is in progress now. About 3500 deep underwater photodetectors (optical modules) arranged into 12 clusters are operating in Lake Baikal. For increasing the efficiency of cascade-like neutrino event detection, the telescope deployment scheme was slightly changed. Namely, the inter-cluster distance was reduced for the newly deployed clusters and additional string of optical modules are added between the clusters. The first inter-cluster string was installed in 2022 and two such strings were installed in 2023. This paper presents a Monte Carlo estimate of the impact of these configuration changes on the cascade detection efficiency as well as technical implementation and results of in-situ tests of the inter-cluster strings.