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 km³. This analysis searches data taken on the partially completed detector during 2007 when roughly 0.2 km³ of ice was instrumented. The lack of candidate events leads to an upper limit on the flux of relativistic magnetic monopoles of Φ(90%C.L.)∼3×10⁻¹⁸ cm⁻² sr⁻¹ s⁻¹ for β≥0.8. This is a factor of 4 improvement over the previous best experimental flux limits up to a Lorentz boost γ below 10⁷. This result is then interpreted for a wide range of mass and kinetic energy values.