High-Energy Neutrino Astronomy: Status and prospects for cosmic-ray physics

TL;DR

Neutrino astronomy has advanced significantly with new telescopes like IceCube and Antares, nearing the sensitivity needed to detect astrophysical neutrinos and explore cosmic-ray origins.

Contribution

This paper reviews the current status, recent results, and prospects of high-energy neutrino telescopes and their implications for cosmic-ray physics.

Findings

Neutrino telescopes have achieved km3-scale sensitivity.

First results are approaching predictions for astrophysical neutrino fluxes.

The link between neutrino observations and cosmic-ray phenomenology is strengthening.

Abstract

Neutrino astronomy has entered an exciting time with the completion of the first km3-scale neutrino telescope at the South Pole (IceCube) and the successful operation of the first under-sea neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean (Antares). This new generation of experiments is approaching the sensitivity levels required to explore at least part of the current landscape of neutrino flux predictions from astrophysical sources, bringing neutrino astronomy on the verge of its first discovery. This contribution presents the current status and latest results of the operating neutrino telescopes, with a particular emphasis on the link with the phenomenology of high-energy cosmic rays.