Wednesday 25 November 2009

Speaker: Elisa Resconi   (Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics, Heidelberg)

Title: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory: Opportunities for Astroparticle Physics

Abstract:

Neutrino astronomy offers the ability to pinpoint high energy hadronic processes in the universe including
locations of cosmic ray acceleration. After the description of the "Cosmic particles flowchart", I will
discuss the IceCube project.

The IceCube neutrino observatory, under construction at the South Pole, consists of three sub-detectors:
a 3-dimensional array of digital  optical modules deployed deep in the ice, the AMANDA neutrino telescope
and the surface array IceTop. I will summarize results from searches for  cosmic neutrinos with the AMANDA
telescope and review expected sensitivities for IceCube at various installation phases. Reliability  and
robustness of installation at the South Pole has been demonstrated  along the past five construction seasons.
On the base of the experience gained in operations at the South Pole, the extension of IceCube at the extreme
ends (low and high) of the energetic region  can be accomplished. I will describe the IceCube Deep Core
project and connected new opportunities for astroparticle physics.