• Featured in Physics
  • Editors' Suggestion

First Observation of PeV-Energy Neutrinos with IceCube

M. G. Aartsen et al. (IceCube Collaboration)
Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 021103 – Published 8 July 2013
Physics logo See Synopsis: Energetic Neutrinos on Ice

Abstract

We report on the observation of two neutrino-induced events which have an estimated deposited energy in the IceCube detector of 1.04±0.16 and 1.14±0.17PeV, respectively, the highest neutrino energies observed so far. These events are consistent with fully contained particle showers induced by neutral-current νe,μ,τ (ν¯e,μ,τ) or charged-current νe (ν¯e) interactions within the IceCube detector. The events were discovered in a search for ultrahigh energy neutrinos using data corresponding to 615.9 days effective live time. The expected number of atmospheric background is 0.082±0.004(stat)0.057+0.041(syst). The probability of observing two or more candidate events under the atmospheric background-only hypothesis is 2.9×103 (2.8σ) taking into account the uncertainty on the expected number of background events. These two events could be a first indication of an astrophysical neutrino flux; the moderate significance, however, does not permit a definitive conclusion at this time.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 19 April 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.021103

© 2013 American Physical Society

Synopsis

Key Image

Energetic Neutrinos on Ice

Published 8 July 2013

The IceCube detector at the South Pole has observed two of the highest energy neutrinos ever recorded.

See more in Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Click to Expand

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 111, Iss. 2 — 12 July 2013

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×