Search for Relativistic Magnetic Monopoles with IceCube

Abstract

We present the first results in the search for relativistic magnetic monopoles with the IceCube detector, a subsurface neutrino telescope located in the South Polar ice cap containing a volume of 1 km${}^3$. This analysis searches data taken on the partially completed detector during 2007 when roughly 0.2 km${}^3$ of ice was instrumented. The lack of candidate events leads to an upper limit on the flux of relativistic magnetic monopoles of $Φ_{\mathrm{90%C.L.}}\sim 3\e{-18}\fluxunits$ for $\beta \ge 0.8$. This is a factor of 4 improvement over the previous best experimental flux limits up to a Lorentz boost $\gamma$ below $10^7$. This result is then interpreted for a wide range of mass and kinetic energy values.

11 pages, 11 figures. v2 is minor text edits, no changes to result

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