IceCube - Astrophysics and Astroparticle Physics at the South Pole

The IceCube Collaboration

Published 2011-11-22Version 1

The IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole has been completed in December 2010. In this paper we describe the final detector and report results on physics and performance using data taken at different stages of the yet incomplete detector. No signals for cosmic neutrinos from point sources and diffuse fluxes have been found. Prospects of these searches, including the setup of multi-messenger programs, are discussed. The limits on neutrinos from GRBs, being far below model predictions, require a reevaluation of GRB model assumptions. Various measurements of cosmic ray properties have been obtained from atmospheric muon and neutrino spectra and from air shower measurements; these results will have an important impact on model developments. IceCube observed an anisotropy of cosmic rays on multiple angular scales, for the first time in the Southern sky. The unique capabilities of IceCube for monitoring transient low energy events are briefly discussed. Finally an outlook to planned extensions is given which will improve the sensitivities both on the low and high energy side.