Viktor Sadovnichy links IceCube's principle to Moisey Markov

Moscow State University Rector Viktor Sadovnichy recalled Moisey Markov's proposal to detect neutrinos using natural volumes of water. In an October 9 lecture, he linked the idea to IceCube and Baikal-GVD.

RIA Novosti reported that Markov proposed the approach in 1960. Neutrinos interact weakly with matter, so detecting them requires enormous instruments. Natural water or ice provides the necessary volume.

Photodetectors placed within the medium register light flashes from fast charged particles produced in neutrino interactions. IceCube operates on this principle in Antarctic ice and Baikal-GVD in Lake Baikal.

IceCube's own historical timeline confirms Markov's 1960 proposal to install detectors underwater, a milestone in the development of underwater and in-ice neutrino telescopes.

Sadovnichy's lecture took place at Science 0+. He emphasized Russian science's connection to high-energy neutrino astrophysics. Francis Halzen had earlier received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contribution to IceCube and the discovery of high-energy cosmic neutrinos.