An in situ measurement of the radio-frequency attenuation in ice at Summit Station, Greenland

We report an in situ measurement of the electric field attenuation lengthat radio frequenciesfor the bulk ice at SummitStation, Greenland, made by broadcasting radio-frequencysignals vertically through the ice and measuring the relative power in the return ground bouncesignal. We find the depth-averaged field attenuation lengthto be 947 +92/-85 meters at 75 MHz. While this measurement has clear radioglaciologicalapplications, the radio clarity of the ice also has implications for the detection of ultra-high energy (UHE) astrophysical particles via their radio emission in dielectric media such as ice. Assuming a reliable extrapolation to higher frequencies, the measured attenuation lengthat SummitStation is comparable to previously measured radio-frequency attenuation lengthsat candidate particle detectorsites around the world, and strengthens the case for SummitStation as a promising northern site for UHE neutrino detection.