Journal article
WavePID: low-energy flavor identification using single-PMT time series in IceCube
Journal of instrumentation, v 21(9), P09023
01 Sep 2026
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a cubic-kilometer detector at the South Pole, identifies neutrino flavor through event morphology. Sparse photon detection makes this classification particularly challenging in the 5–100 GeV regime, the energy range relevant for oscillation measurements and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We introduce WavePID, a template-based log-likelihood-ratio classifier that exploits nanosecond-scale timing on individual detector modules through three observables: the distance to the reconstructed vertex, the early-charge fraction, and the module-to-module time difference. Evaluated on a cascade-enriched sample selected by a state-of-the-art graph neural network, WavePID improves both cascade purity and classification performance over the neural network alone. This demonstrates that per-module pulse timing carries flavor-identification information complementary to morphology-based classifiers, opening a new physics-motivated observable for low-energy neutrino reconstruction. Geant4 simulations associate this signal with differences in Cherenkov emission geometry between muon tracks and electromagnetic showers. These results motivate exploiting nanosecond-scale pulse timing in future low-energy classifiers and in detector designs with improved per-module timing in next-generation neutrino telescopes.
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- Title
- WavePID: low-energy flavor identification using single-PMT time series in IceCube
- Creators
- R Abbasi - Loyola University ChicagoM Ackermann - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYJ Adams - University of CanterburyJ.A Aguilar - Université Libre de BruxellesM Ahlers - University of CopenhagenJ.M Alameddine - TU Dortmund UniversityS Ali - University of KansasN.M Amin - University of DelawareK Andeen - Marquette UniversityC Argüelles - Institute of Particle PhysicsS Athanasiadou - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYS.N Axani - University of DelawareR Babu - Michigan State UniversityX Bai - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyA.Balagopal VS.W Barwick - University of California, IrvineV Basu - University of UtahR Bay - University of California, BerkeleyJ.J Beatty - The Ohio State UniversityJ Becker TjusP Behrens - RWTH Aachen UniversityJ Beise - Uppsala UniversityC Bellenghi - Technical University of MunichS Benkel - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYS BenZvi - University of RochesterD Berley - University of Maryland, College ParkE Bernardini - University of PaduaD.Z Besson - University of KansasE Blaufuss - University of Maryland, College ParkL Bloom - University of AlabamaS Blot - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYF Bontempo - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyJ.Y Book MotzkinC Boscolo MeneguoloS Böser - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzO Botner - Uppsala UniversityJ Böttcher - RWTH Aachen UniversityJ Braun - University of Wisconsin–MadisonB Brinson - University of Maryland, College ParkZ Brisson-Tsavoussis - Queen's UniversityL Brusa - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergR.T Burley - The University of AdelaideD Butterfield - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK Carloni - Institute of Particle PhysicsJ Carpio - University of Nevada, Las VegasN Chau - Université Libre de BruxellesY.C Chen - University of DelawareZ Chen - Stony Brook UniversityD Chirkin - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Choi - University of UtahA Chubarov - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergB.A Clark - University of Maryland, College ParkG.H Collin - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyD.A Coloma BorjaA Connolly - The Ohio State UniversityJ.M Conrad - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyD.F Cowen - Pennsylvania State UniversityC De Clercq - Vrije Universiteit BrusselJ.J DeLaunay - Pennsylvania State UniversityD Delgado - Institute of Particle PhysicsT Delmeulle - Université Libre de BruxellesS Deng - RWTH Aachen UniversityP Desiati - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK.D de Vries - Vrije Universiteit BrusselG de Wasseige - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyT DeYoung - Michigan State UniversityJ.C Díaz-Vélez - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS DiKerby - Michigan State UniversityT Ding - University of Nevada, Las VegasM Dittmer - University of MünsterA Domi - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergL Draper - University of UtahL Dueser - RWTH Aachen UniversityD Durnford - University of AlbertaK Dutta - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzM.A DuVernois - University of Wisconsin–MadisonT Ehrhardt - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzL Eidenschink - Technical University of MunichA Eimer - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergC Eldridge - Astronomy and SpaceP Eller - Technical University of MunichE Ellinger - University of WuppertalD Elsässer - TU Dortmund UniversityR Engel - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyH Erpenbeck - University of Wisconsin–MadisonW Esmail - University of MünsterS Eulig - Institute of Particle PhysicsJ Evans - University of Maryland, College ParkP.A Evenson - University of DelawareK.L Fan - University of Maryland, College ParkK Fang - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK Farrag - Chiba UniversityA Fattorini - TU Dortmund UniversityA.R Fazely - Southern UniversityA Fedynitch - Institute of Physics, Academia SinicaN Feigl - Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinC Finley - Stockholm UniversityD Fox - Pennsylvania State UniversityA Franckowiak - Ruhr University BochumS Fukami - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYP Fürst - RWTH Aachen UniversityJ Gallagher - University of Wisconsin–MadisonE Ganster - RWTH Aachen UniversityA Garcia - Institute of Particle PhysicsM Garcia - University of DelawareE Genton - Université Libre de BruxellesL Gerhardt - Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryA Ghadimi - University of AlabamaC Glaser - Uppsala UniversityT Glüsenkamp - Stockholm UniversityJ.G Gonzalez - University of DelawareS Goswami - University of Nevada, Las VegasA Granados - Michigan State UniversityD Grant - Simon Fraser UniversityS.J Gray - University of Maryland, College ParkS Griffin - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Griswold - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK.M Groth - University of CopenhagenD Guevel - University of Wisconsin–MadisonC Günther - RWTH Aachen UniversityP Gutjahr - TU Dortmund UniversityC Ha - Chung-Ang UniversityA Hallgren - Uppsala UniversityL Halve - RWTH Aachen UniversityF Halzen - University of Wisconsin–MadisonL Hamacher - RWTH Aachen UniversityM Handt - RWTH Aachen UniversityK Hanson - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJ Hardin - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyA.A Harnisch - Michigan State UniversityP Hatch - Queen's UniversityA Haungs - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyJ Häußler - RWTH Aachen UniversityK Helbing - University of WuppertalJ Hellrung - Ruhr University BochumB Henke - Michigan State UniversityL Hennig - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergF Henningsen - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergL Heuermann - RWTH Aachen UniversityR Hewett - University of CanterburyN Heyer - Uppsala UniversityS Hickford - University of WuppertalA Hidvegi - Stockholm UniversityC Hill - Technical University of MunichG.C Hill - The University of AdelaideR Hmaid - Chiba UniversityK.D Hoffman - University of Maryland, College ParkA Hollnagel - Chiba UniversityD Hooper - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Hori - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK Hoshina - University of Wisconsin–MadisonM Hostert - Institute of Particle PhysicsW Hou - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyM Hrywniak - Stockholm UniversityT Huber - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyK Hultqvist - Stockholm UniversityK Hymon - Institute of Physics, Academia SinicaA Ishihara - Chiba UniversityW Iwakiri - Chiba UniversityM Jacquart - University of CopenhagenS Jain - University of Wisconsin–MadisonO Janik - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergM Jansson - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyM Jin - Institute of Particle PhysicsN Kamp - Institute of Particle PhysicsD Kang - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyW Kang - Drexel UniversityA Kappes - University of MünsterL Kardum - TU Dortmund UniversityT Karg - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYA Karle - University of Wisconsin–MadisonA Katil - University of AlbertaM Kauer - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJ.L Kelley - University of Wisconsin–MadisonM Khanal - University of UtahA Khatee ZathulA Kheirandish - University of Nevada, Las VegasT Kim - Sungkyunkwan UniversityH Kimku - Chung-Ang UniversityF Kirchner - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergJ Kiryluk - Stony Brook UniversityC Klein - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYS.R Klein - Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryY Kobayashi - Chiba UniversityS Koch - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergA Kochocki - Michigan State UniversityR Koirala - University of DelawareH Kolanoski - Humboldt-Universität zu BerlinT Kontrimas - Technical University of MunichL Köpke - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzC Kopper - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergD.J Koskinen - University of CopenhagenP Koundal - University of DelawareM Kowalski - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYT Kozynets - University of CopenhagenA Kravka - University of UtahN Krieger - Ruhr University BochumT Krishnan - Institute of Particle PhysicsK Kruiswijk - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyE Krupczak - Michigan State UniversityA Kumar - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYE Kun - Ruhr University BochumN Kurahashi - Drexel UniversityC Lagunas GualdaL Lallement ArnaudM.J Larson - University of Maryland, College ParkF Lauber - University of WuppertalJ.P Lazar - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyK Leonard DeHoltonA Leszczyńska - University of DelawareC LiJ Liao - Georgia Institute of TechnologyC LinQ.R Liu - University of DelawareY.T Liu - Simon Fraser UniversityM Liubarska - University of AlbertaC Love - Drexel UniversityL LuF Lucarelli - University of GenevaW Luszczak - The Ohio State UniversityY Lyu - Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryM Macdonald - Institute of Particle PhysicsE Magnus - Vrije Universiteit BrusselY Makino - University of Wisconsin–MadisonE Manao - Technical University of MunichS Mancina - University of PaduaA Mand - University of Wisconsin–MadisonI.C Mariş - Université Libre de BruxellesS MarkaZ Marka - Columbia UniversityL Marten - RWTH Aachen UniversityI Martinez-Soler - Institute of Particle PhysicsR Maruyama - Yale UniversityJ Mauro - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyF Mayhew - Michigan State UniversityF McNally - Mercer University Health Sciences CenterK Meagher - University of Wisconsin–MadisonA Medina - The Ohio State UniversityM Meier - Chiba UniversityY Merckx - Vrije Universiteit BrusselL Merten - Ruhr University BochumJ Mitchell - Southern UniversityL Molchany - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyS Mondal - University of UtahT Montaruli - University of GenevaR.W Moore - University of AlbertaY Morii - Chiba UniversityA Mosbrugger - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergD Mousadi - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYE Moyaux - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyT Mukherjee - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyM Nakos - University of Wisconsin–MadisonU Naumann - University of WuppertalR Neshat - University of UtahL Neste - Stockholm UniversityM Neumann - University of MünsterH Niederhausen - Michigan State UniversityM.U Nisa - Michigan State UniversityK Noda - Chiba UniversityA Noell - RWTH Aachen UniversityA Novikov - University of DelawareA Obertacke - Stockholm UniversityV O'Dell - University of Wisconsin–MadisonA Olivas - University of Maryland, College ParkR Orsoe - Technical University of MunichJ Osborn - University of Wisconsin–MadisonE O'Sullivan - Uppsala UniversityB Owens - Queen's UniversityV Palusova - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzH Pandya - University of DelawareA Parenti - Université Libre de BruxellesC Parisel - University of Wisconsin–MadisonN Park - Queen's UniversityV Parrish - Michigan State UniversityE.N Paudel - University of AlabamaL Paul - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyC Pérez de los HerosT Pernice - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYT.C Petersen - University of CopenhagenJ Peterson - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Pick - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYM Plum - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyA Pontén - Uppsala UniversityV Poojyam - University of AlabamaB Pries - Michigan State UniversityR Procter-Murphy - University of Maryland, College ParkG.T Przybylski - Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryL Pyras - University of UtahC Raab - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyJ Rack-Helleis - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzN Rad - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYM Ravn - Uppsala UniversityK Rawlins - University of Alaska AnchorageZ Rechav - University of Wisconsin–MadisonA Rehman - University of DelawareI Reistroffer - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyE Resconi - Technical University of MunichC.D Rho - Sungkyunkwan UniversityW Rhode - TU Dortmund UniversityL Ricca - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyB Riedel - University of Wisconsin–MadisonA Rifaie - University of WuppertalE.J Roberts - The University of AdelaideS Rodan - University of Wisconsin–River FallsM Rongen - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergA Rosted - Chiba UniversityC Rott - University of UtahT Ruhe - TU Dortmund UniversityL Ruohan - Technical University of MunichD Ryckbosch - Astronomy and SpaceJ Saffer - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyD Salazar-Gallegos - Michigan State UniversityP Sampathkumar - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyA Sandrock - University of WuppertalG Sanger-Johnson - Michigan State UniversityM Santander - University of AlabamaS Sarkar - University of OxfordM Scarnera - Centre for Cosmology and Particle Physics PhenomenologyM Schaufel - RWTH Aachen UniversityH Schieler - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyS Schindler - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergL Schlickmann - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzB Schlüter - University of MünsterF Schlüter - Université Libre de BruxellesN Schmeisser - University of WuppertalT Schmidt - University of Maryland, College ParkA Scholz - Technical University of MunichF.G Schröder - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyS Schwirn - RWTH Aachen UniversityS Sclafani - University of Maryland, College ParkD Seckel - University of DelawareL Seen - University of Wisconsin–MadisonM Seikh - University of KansasS Seunarine - University of Wisconsin–River FallsP.A Sevle MyhrR Shah - Drexel UniversityS Shah - University of RochesterS Shefali - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyN Shimizu - Chiba UniversityM Shin - Sungkyunkwan UniversityB Skrzypek - University of California, BerkeleyR Snihur - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJ Soedingrekso - TU Dortmund UniversityD SoldinP Soldin - RWTH Aachen UniversityG Sommani - Ruhr University BochumD Song - Université Libre de BruxellesC Spannfellner - Technical University of MunichG.M Spiczak - University of Wisconsin–River FallsC Spiering - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYJ Stachurska - Astronomy and SpaceM Stamatikos - The Ohio State UniversityT Stanev - University of DelawareT Stezelberger - Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryT Stürwald - University of WuppertalT Stuttard - University of CopenhagenG.W Sullivan - University of Maryland, College ParkI Taboada - Georgia Institute of TechnologyS Ter-Antonyan - Southern UniversityA Terliuk - Technical University of MunichA Thakuri - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyM Thiesmeyer - University of Wisconsin–MadisonW.G Thompson - Institute of Particle PhysicsJ Thwaites - Queen's UniversityS Tilav - University of DelawareK Tollefson - Michigan State UniversityJ.A Torres - University of UtahS Toscano - Université Libre de BruxellesD Tosi - University of Wisconsin–MadisonK Upshaw - Southern UniversityA Vaidyanathan - Marquette UniversityN Valtonen-Mattila - Ruhr University BochumJ Valverde - Marquette UniversityJ Vandenbroucke - University of Wisconsin–MadisonT Van Eeden - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYN van Eijndhoven - Vrije Universiteit BrusselL Van Rootselaar - TU Dortmund UniversityJ van Santen - Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESYJ Vara - University of MünsterF Varsi - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyM Velazquez - Georgia Institute of TechnologyM Venugopal - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyM Vereecken - Astronomy and SpaceS Vergara CarrascoS Verpoest - University of DelawareD Veske - Columbia UniversityA Vijai - University of Maryland, College ParkJ Villarreal - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyC Walck - Stockholm UniversityA Wang - Georgia Institute of TechnologyE.H.S Warrick - University of AlabamaC Weaver - Michigan State UniversityP Weigel - Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyA Weindl - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyJ Weldert - Johannes Gutenberg University MainzA.Y WenC Wendt - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJ Werthebach - TU Dortmund UniversityM Weyrauch - Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyN Whitehorn - Michigan State UniversityC.H Wiebusch - RWTH Aachen UniversityD.R Williams - University of AlabamaL Witthaus - TU Dortmund UniversityG Wrede - Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-NürnbergX.W Xu - Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical CollegeJ.P Yanez - University of AlbertaY Yao - University of Wisconsin–MadisonE Yildizci - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Yoshida - Chiba UniversityF YuS Yu - Institute of Particle PhysicsT Yuan - University of Wisconsin–MadisonS Yun-CárcamoA Zander JurowitzkiA Zegarelli - Ruhr University BochumS ZhangZ Zhang - Stony Brook UniversityP Zhelnin - Institute of Particle PhysicsP Zilberman - University of Wisconsin–MadisonC Zilleruelo CañasThe IceCube collaborationanalysis@icecube.wisc.edu The IceCube collaborationanalysis@icecube.wisc.edu
- Publication Details
- Journal of instrumentation, v 21(9), P09023
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Physics
- Other Identifier
- 991022207107604721