A new method for detection of distant supernova neutrino bursts

Abstract We suggest a new method for detection of neutrino bursts generated by distant supernovas in our galaxy and in the local group of galaxies. This new method is based on the detection of neutrons produced in the inelastic scattering of ν μ and ν τ neutrinos with nuclei via the neutral current channel. The advantages of such a detector are (1) the enhancement of neutrino scattering cross sections due to nuclear collective effects, (2) the selective detection of ν μ and ν τ supernova neutrinos, and (3) the existence of large geological deposits of suitable neutrino detector materials in nature.