IceCube Data for Neutrino Point-Source Searches Years 2008-2018

TL;DR

This paper presents a public data release from IceCube, including 10 years of neutrino candidate events, with improved sensitivity for point-source searches and analysis of a notable 2014-2015 flare.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive public dataset of neutrino events from IceCube with improved reconstruction and sensitivity for point-source analysis over a decade.

Findings

Over 80% overlap with previous data sets

Enhanced sensitivity in time-integrated point source searches

Analysis of the 2014-2015 TXS flare significance

Abstract

IceCube has performed several all-sky searches for point-like neutrino sources using track-like events, including a recent time-integrated analysis using 10 years of IceCube data. This paper accompanies the public data release of these neutrino candidates detected by IceCube between April 6, 2008 and July 8, 2018. The selection includes through-going tracks, primarily due to muon neutrino candidates, that reach the detector from all directions, as well as neutrino track events that start within the instrumented volume. An updated selection and reconstruction for data taken after April 2012 slightly improves the sensitivity of the sample. While more than 80% of the sample overlaps between the old and new versions, differing events can lead to changes relative to the previous 7 year event selection. An a posteriori estimate of the significance of the 2014-2015 TXS flare is reported with an explanation of observed discrepancies with previous results. This public data release, which includes 10 years of data and binned detector response functions for muon neutrino signal events, shows improved sensitivity in generic time-integrated point source analyses and should be preferred over previous releases.