Search for Prompt Neutrino Emission from Gamma-Ray Bursts with IceCube

TL;DR

This study analyzes four years of IceCube data to search for neutrino emissions from gamma-ray bursts, setting limits that challenge existing models and suggest GRBs contribute minimally to observed astrophysical neutrinos.

Contribution

First comprehensive four-year IceCube search for prompt neutrinos from GRBs, providing constraints that refine theoretical models and limit GRBs' contribution to astrophysical neutrinos.

Findings

Detected only one neutrino coincident with a GRB, consistent with background.

Limits on neutrino flux challenge many existing GRB models.

Less than 1% of astrophysical neutrinos originate from observable GRBs.

Abstract

We present constraints derived from a search of four years of IceCube data for a prompt neutrino flux from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). A single low-significance neutrino, compatible with the atmospheric neutrino background, was found in coincidence with one of the 506 observed bursts. Although GRBs have been proposed as candidate sources for ultra-high energy cosmic rays, our limits on the neutrino flux disfavor much of the parameter space for the latest models. We also find that no more than $\sim1\%$ of the recently observed astrophysical neutrino flux consists of prompt emission from GRBs that are potentially observable by existing satellites.