Speaker
Description
The IceCube Observatory combines a cubic-kilometer-scale deep-ice detector with the surface array IceTop, which measures extensive air showers induced by cosmic rays. High-energy muons produced in these showers penetrate deep into the ice and are detected by the in-ice array. Together, these complementary components enable detailed studies of cosmic rays in the PeV to EeV energy range, covering both the knee region and the transition from Galactic to extragalactic sources.
This contribution summarizes recent results obtained with IceTop and the deep in-ice detector on the cosmic-ray energy spectrum, mass composition, anisotropy, and the muon content of air showers. In addition, new reconstruction methods are being developed that extend the accessible energy range toward both lower and higher energies and enable event-by-event estimates of the muon content.
Ongoing and planned detector upgrades, including the IceTop surface enhancement and the IceAct telescopes, will further improve the capability to study cosmic-ray properties and hadronic interactions.