The optical module of Baikal-GVD

In April 2015, the first cluster of Baikal-GVD was deployed in Lake Baikal and put into operation. It comprises eight strings. Each string consists of 24 optical modules. An optical module is a detection element of Baikal-GVD; it includes a Hamamatsu R7081-100 photomultiplier tube with a high quantum sensitivity. We describe the design of the optical module, the front-end electronics, and the laboratory characterization and calibration.     

Random replicators with high-order interactions

We use tools of the equilibrium statistical mechanics of disordered systems to study analytically the statistical properties of an ecosystem composed of N species interacting via random mutual interactions, as well as via deterministic self-interactions of order p>/=2. We show that the main effect of increasing the order of the interactions among the species is to make the system less competitive, in the sense that the fraction of extinct species is greatly reduced. In addition, we find that for p>2 there is a threshold value which gives a lower bound to the concentration of the surviving species, preventing then the existence of rare species and, consequently, increasing the robustness of the ecosystem to external perturbations.     

Tunka-133: Status 2008 and development of methods for data analysis

The activity on creation of a array with an area of 1 km² for recording extensive air showers using Cherenkov light began in the Tunka valley in 2006. The new array will allow one to study cosmic rays in the energy range 10¹⁵–10¹⁸ eV by the unified method. In the winter of 2007–2008, the array operated with 4 clusters, 7 detectors in each cluster. Experimental data obtained during 270 h of fair weather in moonless nights demonstrated unique capabilities of the new array, related with the possibility of recording the pulse shape with a step of 5 ns from each detector.     

Status of the Baikal neutrino project

The status of the Baikal neutrino experiment is briefly reviewed and the results of the search for the natural flux of high-energy neutrinos are reported.     

The mass composition of cosmic rays according to the data obtained using the TUNKA-25 setup

The data obtained using the Cherenkov TUNKA-25 extensive air shower (EAS) installation and the refined method were used to obtain the energy dependence of the average EAS depth maximum. The EAS distributions over the depth of the maximum were obtained for the energies of 5 × 10¹⁵ and 2 × 10¹⁶ eV. An analysis of the shape of distributions indicates that the model of interaction of the nuclei that yields the highest position of the maximum (QGSJET-01) is preferable. If this model is used to account for the maximum’s position, one finds that 〈InA〉 = 1.9±0.2 and helium is dominant in the mass composition at the energy of 5 × 10¹⁵ eV. A sharp increase in the mean mass of the composition is observed at energies in excess of 10¹⁶ eV.     

Maturation of auditory temporal integration and inhibition assessed with event-related potentials (ERPs)

Background

We examined development of auditory temporal integration and inhibition by assessing electrophysiological responses to tone pairs separated by interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ms in 28 children aged 7 to 9 years, and 15 adults.

Results

In adults a distinct neural response was elicited to tones presented at ISIs of 25 ms or longer, whereas in children this was only seen in response to tones presented at ISIs above 100 ms. In adults, late N1 amplitude was larger for the second tone of the tone pair when separated by ISIs as short as 100 ms, consistent with the perceptual integration of successive stimuli within the temporal window of integration. In contrast, children showed enhanced negativity only when tone pairs were separated by ISIs of 200 ms. In children, the amplitude of the P1 component was attenuated at ISIs below 200 ms, consistent with a refractory process.

Conclusions

These results indicate that adults integrate sequential auditory information into smaller temporal segments than children. These results suggest that there are marked maturational changes from childhood to adulthood in the perceptual processes underpinning the grouping of incoming auditory sensory information, and that electrophysiological measures provide a sensitive, non-invasive method allowing further examination of these changes.     

Data acquisition system for the Baikal-GVD neutrino telescope

The objective of the Baikal-GVD project is the construction of a km³-scale neutrino telescope in Lake Baikal. The Gigaton Volume Detector consists of a large three-dimensional array of photo-multiplier tubes. The first GVD-cluster has been deployed and commissioned in April 2015. The data acquisition system (DAQ) of the detector takes care of the digitization of the photo-multiplier tube signals, data transmission, filtering and storage. The design and the implementation of the data acquisition system are described.     

Neutrino signal at Baikal from dark matter in the Galactic Center

We discuss neutrinos originating from dark matter in the Galactic Center and present sensitivity of Baikal Gigaton Volume Detector to this signal.