The IceCube neutrino observatory: status and initial results T. Karg1 for the IceCube collaboration* 1Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Fachbereich C – Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften, 42097 Wuppertal, Germany *http://icecube.wisc.edu/
Received: 13 Nov 2010 – Accepted: 17 Jan 2011 – Published: 21 Apr 2011
Abstract. The IceCube collaboration is building a cubic kilometer scale
neutrino telescope at a depth of 2 km at the geographic
South Pole, utilizing the clear Antarctic ice as a Cherenkov medium
to detect cosmic neutrinos. The IceCube observatory is complemented
by IceTop, a square kilometer air shower array on top of the in-ice
detector. The construction of the detector is nearly finished with
79 of a planned 86 strings and 73 of 80 IceTop stations
deployed. Its completion is expected in the winter 2010/11. Using
data from the partially built detector, we present initial results
of searches for neutrinos from astrophysical sources such as
supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, and gamma ray bursts,
for anisotropies in cosmic rays, and constraints on the dark matter
scattering cross section. Further, we discuss future plans and R&D (research and development)
activities towards new neutrino detection techniques.
Citation: T. Karg1 for the IceCube collaboration*: The IceCube neutrino observatory: status and initial results, Astrophys. Space Sci. Trans., 7, 157-162, doi:10.5194/astra-7-157-2011, 2011.