  The IceCube Neutrino Observatory opened the window on high-energy neutrino
astronomy by confirming the existence of PeV astrophysical neutrinos and
identifying the first compelling astrophysical neutrino source in the blazar
TXS0506+056. Planning is underway to build an enlarged detector, IceCube-Gen2,
which will extend measurements to higher energies, increase the rate of
observed cosmic neutrinos and provide improved prospects for detecting fainter
sources. IceCube-Gen2 is planned to have an extended in-ice optical array, a
radio array at shallower depths for detecting ultra-high-energy (>100 PeV)
neutrinos, and a surface component studying cosmic rays. In this contribution,
we will discuss the simulation of the in-ice optical component of the baseline
design of the IceCube-Gen2 detector, which foresees the deployment of an
additional ~120 new detection strings to the existing 86 in IceCube over ~7
Antarctic summer seasons. Motivated by the phased construction plan for
IceCube-Gen2, we discuss how the reconstruction capabilities and sensitivities
of the instrument are expected to progress throughout its deployment.
