Status and plans for the instrumentation of the IceCube Surface Array Enhancement

Abstract

The surface array of IceCube, IceTop, operates primarily as a cosmic-ray detector, as well as a veto for astrophysical neutrino searches for the IceCube in-ice instrumentation. However, the snow accumulation on top of the IceTop detectors increases the detection threshold and attenuates the measured IceTop signals. Enhancing IceTop by a hybrid array of scintillation detectors and radio antennas will lower the energy threshold for air-shower measurements, provide more efficient veto capabilities, enable more accurate cosmic-ray measurements, and improve the detector calibration by compensating for snow accumulation. After the initial commissioning period, a prototype station at the South Pole has been recording air-shower data and has successfully observed coincident events of both the scintillation detectors and the radio antennas with the IceTop array. The production and calibration of the detectors for the full planned array has been ongoing. Additionally, one station each has been installed at the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Telescope Array for further R\&D of these detectors in different environmental conditions. This contribution will present the status and future plans of the hybrid detector stations for the IceCube Surface Array Enhancement.