High Energy Neutrino Astroparticle Physics with the IceCube at the South Pole

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Elisa Resconi
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2005 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 17014795

The prime objective for the AMANDA/IceCube neutrino telescopes is to open a new observational window in astrophysics. The challenge is to measure high energy neutrinos of cosmic origin. Such observation would shed light on the mechanisms of acceleration of the highest energy cosmic rays and would allow a mapping of their sources. They might also provide essential insights regarding the origin of high-energy gamma rays. Apart from these astrophysics objectives, IceCube plans to investigate topics related to particle physics and cosmology, such as signatures of dark matter, extra dimensions, magnetic monopoles, as well as exotic superheavy objects like nuclearities or Q-balls. IceCube will also be sensitive to supernovae explosions within our galaxy. This proposal for an Emmy Noether grant aims to enhance the physics potential of IceCube, exploiting the energy region below 10 TeV. This energy corresponds to the low energy physics analysis threshold according to the current baseline design of IceCube. The central physics topic of this proposal is the search for astrophysical objects which emit neutrinos (i.e. point sources) in this energy band. Novel methods for improving the sensitivity for point sources below 10 TeV are proposed. This includes the development of a `low-energy¿ trigger, the improvement of the light collection efficiency of the optical modules of IceCube (photon sensors) and the use of space and time correlations (`multi-wavelength analysis¿) for transient neutrino candidate point sources.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups