Une revue générale est faite de la situation expérimentale concernant la mesure des masses, du mélange et des oscillations de neutrinos, ainsi que de la phénoménologie sous-jacente. Mes contributions à travers le programme expérimental du CERN, CHARM-II, CHORUS et OPERA, font l'objet d'un développement particulier. Le dernier chapitre tente de mettre en perspective le programme expérimental à moyen et long terme.<p><p>The experimental situation concerning the measurements of neutrinos masses, mixing and oscillation is reviewed, as well as of the underlying phenomenology. A particular attention is given to the CERN experimental program to which I took or take part, CHARM-II, CHORUS and OPERA. In the last chapter, I try to put into perspective the medium and long term experimental programme. <p> / Agrégation de l'enseignement supérieur, Orientation sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Das IceCube Neutrino Observatorium am Südpol hat die Existenz eines diffusen astrophysikalischen Neutrinoflusses nachgewiesen. Die Flavor-Zusammensetzung astrophysikalischer Neutrinos trägt Informationen über Orte kosmischer Teilchenbeschleunigung und Auswirkungen potenzieller neuer Physik auf die Neutrinoausbreitung. Zur seiner Bestimmung ist die Beobachtung von Tau-Neutrinos nötig. Ab einer Energie von ~O(100 TeV) kann deren Wechselwirkung über geladene Ströme eine Doppelkaskaden-Topologie ergeben, bei der die zwei Energiedepositionen am Tau-Entstehungs- und Tau-Zerfallsvertex aufgelöst werden können. Diese wird zusammen mit den bereits bekannten Topologien Einzel-Kaskade und Spur zur Messung der Flavor-Zusammensetzung auf der Erde benutzt. In dieser Arbeit werden im Detektorvolumen von IceCube anfangende Ereignisse mit hohen Energien algorithmisch in drei Topologien klassifiziert. Im Datensatz mit einer Lebensdauer von 7.5 Jahren werden zum ersten Mal zwei Doppelkaskaden identifiziert; diese sind Kandidaten für Tau-Neutrinos. Die Eigenschaften der zwei Tau-Neutrino-Kandidaten werden in einer a-posteriori Analyse im Detail studiert. Die statistische Methode wird durch einen Log-Likelihood-Quotienten-Test mit multi-dimensionalen Wahrscheinlichkeitsdichten verbessert. Eine der Doppelkaskaden ist konsistent mit dem Szenario einer misklassifizierten Einzelkaskade, während für die zweite Doppelkaskade die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines nicht-Tau-Neutrino Szenarios auf nur 3% bestimmt wird. Die gemessene Flavor-Zusammensetzung ist konsistent mit der Annahme von astrophysikalischen Neutrinos sowie mit bisher veröffentlichen Resultaten. Die Messung ergibt einen astrophysikalischen Tau-Neutrino Fluss von dPhi / dE=3.0 (-1.8,+2.2) (E / 100TeV)^(-2.87) 10^(-18) GeV^(-1) cm^(-2) s^(-1) sr^(-1), was dem ersten positiven Ergebnis für die Tau-Normalisierung entspricht. Die Nichtexistenz eines astrophysikalischen Tau-Neutrino Flusses wird mit einer Signifikanz von 2.8 sigma abgelehnt. / The IceCube neutrino observatory at the South Pole has confirmed the existence of a diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux. The flavor composition of astrophysical neutrinos carries information on the environments at the sites of cosmic particle acceleration as well as potential imprints of new physics acting during neutrino propagation. To measure the flavor composition the observation of the long-elusive tau neutrinos is required. Starting at an energy of ~O(100 TeV) a tau neutrino charged current interaction can produce a double cascade topology, where the two energy depositions from the tau creation and the tau decay vertices are resolvable. This topology together with the well-established track and single cascade topology is used to measure the flavor composition on Earth. In this work, high-energy events starting in IceCube's detector volume are classified algorithmically into the three topologies. In the dataset with a livetime of 7.5 years, two events are classified as double cascades for the first time, yielding multi-TeV tau-neutrino candidates. The properties of the two tau-neutrino candidates are investigated in an a-posteriori analysis. The statistical method is improved by performing a log-likelihood-ratio test using multi-dimensional probability densities. One of the double cascades is consistent with being a misclassified single cascade, while the second double cascade is found to have a misclassification probability of only 3%. The measured flavor composition nu_e:nu_mu:nu_tau = 0.20:0.39:0.42 is consistent with astrophysical neutrinos and with previously published results. The astrophysical tau-neutrino flux is measured to dPhi / dE=3.0 (-1.8,+2.2) (E / 100TeV)^(-2.87) 10^(-18) GeV^(-1) cm^(-2) s^(-1) sr^(-1) with spectral index gamma=2.87 (-0.20,+0.21), yielding the first non-zero results for the tau normalization. The absence of an astrophysical tau-neutrino flux is disfavored at 2.8 sigma.

Neutrinooszillationen sind das einzige Phänomen jenseits des Standardmodells, das experimentell mit hoher statistischer Signifikanz bestätigt wurde. Diese Arbeit präsentiert eine Messung der atmosphärischen Neutrinooszillationen unter Verwendung von acht Jahren an Daten, die zwischen 2011 und 2019 vom IceCube DeepCore-Detektor aufgenommen wurden. Die Ereignisauswahl wurde im Vergleich zu früheren DeepCore-Messungen verbessert, wobei ein besonderes Augenmerk auf ihre Robustheit gegenüber systematischen Unsicherheiten in den Detektoreigenschaften gelegt wurde. Die Oszillationsparameter werden über eine Maximum-Likelihood-Fit an gebinnte Daten in der gemessenen Energie und Zenitwinkel geschätzt, wobei die Erwartungswerte aus gewichteten simulierten Ereignissen abgeleitet werdem. Diese Arbeit diskutiert den Simulations- und Datenauswahlprozess sowie die statistischen Methoden, die verwendet werden, um einen genauen Erwartungswert unter variablen Detektoreigenschaften und anderen systematischen Unsicherheiten zu liefern. Die Messung wird zunächst unter Verwendung des Standardmodells der Drei-Flavor-Oszillation durchgeführt, wobei das atmosphärische Massensplitting und der Mischwinkel auf $\Delta m^2_{32} = 2.42_{-0.75}^{+0.77} \times10^{-3};\mathrm{eV}^2$ und $\sin^2\theta_{23} = 0.507_{-0.053}^{+0.050}$ geschätzt werden. Das Drei-Flavor-Modell wird dann um einen zusätzlichen Masseneigenzustand erweitert, der einem sterilen Neutrino mit Massensplitting $\Delta m^2_{41} = 1;\mathrm{eV}^2$ entspricht und mit den aktiven $\nu_\mu$- und $\nu_\tau$-Flavorzuständen mischen kann. Es wird kein signifikantes Signal eines sterilen Neutrinos beobachtet, und die Mischungsamplituden zwischen den sterilen und aktiven Zuständen werden auf $|U_{\mu 4}|^2 < 0.0534$ und $|U_{\tau 4}|^2 < 0.0574$ bei 90\% C.L. begrenzt. Diese Grenzwerte sind um den Faktor zwei bis drei strenger als das vorherige DeepCore-Ergebnis, und die Einschränkung von $|U_{\tau 4}|^2$ ist die stärkste der Welt. / Neutrino oscillations are the only phenomenon beyond the Standard Model that has been confirmed experimentally to a very high statistical significance. This work presents a measurement of atmospheric neutrino oscillations using eight years of data taken by the IceCube DeepCore detector between 2011 and 2019. The event selection has been improved over that used in previous DeepCore measurements with a particular emphasis on its robustness with respect to systematic uncertainties in the detector properties. The oscillation parameters are estimated via a maximum likelihood fit to binned data in the observed energy and zenith angle, where the expectation is derived from weighted simulated events. This work discusses the simulation and data selection process, as well as the statistical methods employed to give an accurate expectation value under variable detector properties and other systematic uncertainties. The measurement is first performed first under the standard three-flavor oscillation model, where the atmospheric mass splitting and mixing angle are estimated to be $\Delta m^2_{32} = 2.42_{-0.75}^{+0.77} \times10^{-3}\;\mathrm{eV}^2$ and $\sin^2\theta_{23} = 0.507_{-0.053}^{+0.050}$, respectively. The three-flavor model is then extended by an additional mass eigenstate corresponding to a sterile neutrino with mass splitting $\Delta m^2_{41} = 1\;\mathrm{eV}^2$ that can mix with the active $\nu_\mu$ and $\nu_\tau$ flavor states. No significant signal of a sterile neutrino is observed and the mixing amplitudes between the sterile and active states are constrained to $|U_{\mu 4}|^2 < 0.0534$ and $|U_{\tau 4}|^2 < 0.0574$ at 90\% C.L. These limits are more stringent than the previous DeepCore result by a factor between two and three and the constraint on $|U_{\tau 4}|^2$ is the strongest in the world.

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Multi-messenger astronomy began when a massive star underwent core collapse in a neighboring dwarf galaxy, whose light and neutrinos reached Earth in 1987. Supernova 1987A was observed optically but was also observed through roughly two dozen neutrinos. Modern instruments have the ability to measure electromagnetic signatures in more wavelengths and detect many more neutrinos from a nearby core-collapse supernova, providing insight into an astrophysical phenomena that is not yet fully understood. In this dissertation, we discuss predictions for future core-collapse supernova signals and the nuclear and particle interactions that produce them. We focus on several different aspects related to both typical and rare supernovae. The diffuse supernova neutrino background (DSNB) - the isotropic background of ~10 MeV neutrinos from all past supernovae - is one such signal that does not rely on a local event for neutrino detection. We update several aspects of theoretical DSNB modeling by (i) using simulation data to better understand neutrino emission spectra as a function of time, (ii) collating recent star formation rate measurements to infer the rate of core collapse in the cosmos, and (iii) performing a signal vs. background analysis of state-of-the-art neutrino experiments. We find that the DSNB is likely to be detected in the next two decades, but large uncertainty on the average neutrino emission spectra combined with unclear treatment of background events prevents a precise timeline. We also discuss the signatures from rare supernovae driven by magnetorotational engines called protomagnetars. We find that outflows from these central engines can produce pions through inelastic np interactions, resulting in ~0.1 - 10 GeV neutrinos that are detectable for galactic supernovae. We also find that these outflows can synthesize heavier nuclei than traditional supernovae through the `weak r-process.' We compare the nucleosynthesis in supernova outflows to that in compact object mergers and find that mergers are more conducive for creating the heaviest nuclei. We also predict the detection rates of another kind of transient called kilonovae that are powered by the decay of unstable nuclei. Finally, these protomagnetar systems may be able to accelerate nuclei in relativistic jets. If these jets are beamed toward us, the gamma ray lines from the decays of unstable nuclei can be boosted to high energies and are detectable from extragalactic distances. / Doctor of Philosophy / Supernovae are one of the most well studied astronomical phenomena because of how broadly they connect to different fields of physics. This kind of event can be bright enough to be seen visually and has been observed and documented for centuries. Its name derives from nova stella - Latin for `new star' - but supernovae occur as the final stages of a star's life. Core-collapse supernovae are an important subclass that occur for stars several times more massive than our own sun. There is a long history of core-collapse supernova observation - from the naked eye to modern optical telescopes - but only one has ever been observed using a particle other than light. SN1987A was a nearby core-collapse supernova that occurred in 1987 and emitted a large burst of rarely interacting particles known as neutrinos along with its usual optical emission. Only two dozen neutrinos were detected during this event, but nearby core-collapse supernovae are rare and astronomers have been eager for another one. With today's modern neutrino detectors, a nearby core-collapse supernova would yield thousands of neutrino events which would help astronomers learn about the internal physics occurring during the collapse, which an optical signal cannot do. In this dissertation, we study the ways in which light and neutrinos can teach us more about core-collapse supernovae. We cover another way to observe supernova neutrinos without waiting for one nearby to occur by predicting the signal from the `diffuse supernova neutrino background.' This is a background of supernova neutrinos that constantly surrounds us, but interacts extremely infrequently, so kiloton-mass detectors are needed to detect this background. Measuring this will also shed light on how stars evolve over a galaxy's history. There are additional subclasses of core-collapse supernovae that give rise to the usual optical and neutrino signal but may also populate the universe with heavy elements, produce higher energy light, and emit higher energy neutrinos. This class is even rarer but are systematically more energetic and are powered internally by objects called `protomagnetars.' We study models of these rare, energetic supernovae and make predictions for each of these signals - heavy elements, high energy light, and high energy neutrinos - to help answer outstanding questions in astrophysics and make predictions for events not yet seen.

L'un des problèmes les plus intéressants de la physique moderne est celui de la matière noire de l'Univers, qui reste de nature insaisissable. L'existence de la matière noire est inférée par des preuves indirectes telles que les mesures des courbes de rotation des galaxies, des dispersions de vitesse des galaxies dans les amas galactiques et les effets de lentille gravitationnelle. Ces observations fournissent des preuves sur l'existence d'une matière invisible dominant notre Univers. Il n'existe cependant aucune indication claire sur sa nature. Les observations actuelles en font le constituant dominant de l'Univers, par opposition à la matière baryonique "normale". Deux solutions sont proposées pour résoudre ce mystère. La première est basée sur une modification de la loi de la gravité comme dans la dynamique newtonienne modifiée qui pourrait expliquer les divergences entre prédictions et observations de la dynamique des masses dans l'Univers. L'autre idée consiste à proposer l'existence d'une nouvelle particule massive qui n'interagit pas avec la lumière (appelée WIMP pour "Weakly Interactive Massive Particle"), mais pouvant influencer la matière lumineuse par gravité. Plusieurs théories proposent l'existence de telles nouvelles particules. La plus célèbre de ces théories est la supersymétrie, qui est une extension du Modèle Standard de la Physique des Particules. Si l'un des partenaires supersymétriques des bosons neutres est une particule stable et le plus léger de tous les superpartenaires, il devient alors un candidat idéal pour la matière noire. La supersymétrie est en général le cadre le plus favorable pour l'existence de la matière noire. / The early history of modern physics have been full of problems fixed with un-orthodox yet brilliant solutions. From the Hydrogen electron orbit, black bodyradiation and the ultraviolet catastrophe, to the perihelion precession of Mercury.Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity not only solved these problems butthey opened the path to new observations and predictions about the Universe welive in and the introduction of new problems to be solved.One of the more modern problems we are facing today in physics is the largediscrepancy among measurements of the visible mass in the Universe and the pre-dictions of laws of gravity. An indisputable mass of evidence from different partsof observational cosmology is showing again and again that the observed lumi-nous mass in the Universe constitutes a tiny fraction of the matter that actuallyexists. The proposed solutions of this problem comes in two completely differentflavors. One proposed solution is that the laws of gravity are not the same in thelimit of tiny accelerations. Theories of modified gravitational dynamics proposea non-linear term in Newton law of gravity that becomes relevant at small accel-erations which in turn can explains the missing matter. The other solution to themissing matter is the introduction of new type of matter that does not interact withlight, making it invisible yet inferred to exist by its gravitational effect. The newmatter becomes a new elementary particle to be added to list of already knownelementary particles. While there are many candidates to this new elementaryparticle the favored one is called a WIMP or Weakly Interacting Massive Particle.

The starting SNO+ experiment, successor to the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, is a neutrino detector using LAB based liquid scintillator as active medium. Situated in the SNOLab deep underground laboratory in Sudbury, Canada, the rock overburden amounts to about 6 km.w.e., providing an effective shielding against cosmic rays. The residual muon rate is 63 μ/day going through the detector volume. About 780 t of an LAB mixture inside an acrylic sphere with a 6 m radius will be observed by ≈ 9300 photomultipliers, surrounded by a ≈ 7000 t water shielding. SNO+ will be searching for low energy solar-, geo-, reactor- and supernova neutrinos, but the main goal is the observation of the neutrinoless double beta decay in Te-130. Under operating conditions, the scintillator will be cooled to about 12° C. This work investigated the effect of temperature changes on the light output of LAB based liquid scintillator in a range from -5° C to 30° C with α-particles and electrons in a small scale setup. Assuming a linear behaviour, a combined negative temperature coefficient of (−0.29 ± 0.01) %/° C is found. Considering hints for a particle type dependency, electrons show (−0.17 ± 0.02) %/° C whereas the temperature dependency seems stronger for α-particles (−0.35 ± 0.03) %/° C. A pulse shape analysis shows increased strength of a slow decay component at lower temperatures, pointing to reduced non-radiative triplet state de-excitations at lower temperatures. Furthermore, this work found upper bounds for the in-situ muon-induced isotope production via scaling calculations and simulations with Geant4 based software. For the most concerning isotope C-11, an upper limit of about 1.3 × 10^3 decays/kt/yr is found and a reduction technique, developed by the Borexino collaboration, can be effectively applied for SNO+. Also a muon reconstruction algorithm is implemented, performing reasonably well, but not good enough to improve the background reduction scheme. / Das zukünftige SNO+ experiment, Nachfolger des Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, ist ein Neutrino-Detektor mit LAB basierten Flüssigszintillator als aktivem Medium. Im SNOLab Untertagelabor (Sudbury, Kanada) gelegen, ist es durch die Felsüberdeckung von 6 km.w.e. hervorragend gegen kosmische Strahlung abgeschirmt. Die Rate der übrigen Myonen die das Detektorvolumen durchdringen beträgt ca. 63 μ/Tag. In einer Acrylkugel, mit einem Radius von 6 m, wird eine LAB Mischung von ≈ 9300 Photomultipliern beobachtet und von einer Wasserabschirmung von ≈ 7 kt umgeben. SNO+ wird nach niederenergetischen solaren-, Geo-, Reaktor- und Supernova Neutrinos suchen, aber das Hauptziel ist die Beobachtung von neutrinolosen doppelten Betazerfällen in Te-130. Unter den Betriebsbedingungen wird der Flüssigszintillator eine Temperatur von ca. 12° C annehmen. Diese Arbeit hat den Einfluss von Temperaturveränderungen in einem Bereich von -5° C to 30° C auf die erzeugte Lichtmenge untersucht. Dazu wurden α-Teilchen und Elektronen in einem kleineren Versuchaufbau beobachtet. Unter der Annahme eines linearen Verhaltens, wurde ein globaler negativer Temperaturkoeffizient von (−0.29 ± 0.01) %/° C gefunden. Unter Berücksichtigung von Hinweisen auf eine Teilchenartabhängigkeit, findet sich für Elektronen ein Koeffizient von (−0.17 ± 0.02) %/° C, wohingegen α-Teilchen eine stärkere Abhängikeit von (−0.35 ± 0.03) %/° C aufweisen. Eine Pulsformanalyse zeigt eine bei tieferen Temperaturen stärker ausgeprägte langsame Zerfallskomponente, was darauf hinweist dass die nicht-radiativen Abregungen der Triplet-Zustände bei niedrigeren Temperaturen reduziert sind. Weiterhin wurden in dieser Arbeit obere Ausschlußgrenzen für in-situ Myon-induzierte Isotopenproduktion gefunden, wozu Skalierungsrechnungen und Simulation mit auf Geant4 basierender Software benutzt wurden. Für das wichtigste Isotop C-11 wurde eine obere Grenze von 1.3 × 10^3 Ereignisse/kt/Jahr gefunden und eine Technik zur Reduzierung des Untergrundes, entwickelt von der Borexino Kollaboration, kann effektiv für SNO+ angewendet werden. Darüber hinaus wurde eine Myon Spurrekonstruktion implementiert, die sinnvolle Ergebnisse liefert, aber nicht gut genug ist um die Untergrund Reduzierung zu unterstützen.

O evento estraordinário de SN1987A vem sendo investigado há mais de vinte e cinco anos. O fascínio que cerca tal evento astronômico está relacionado com a observação em tempo real da explosão à luz da Física de neutrinos. Detectores espalhados pelo mundo observaram um surto neutrinos que dias mais tarde foi confirmado como sendo a SN1987A. Kamiokande, IMB e Baksan apresentaram os eventos detectados que permitiu o estudo de modelos para a explosão e resfriamento da hipotética estrela de nêutrons remanescente. Até hoje não há um consenso a origem do progenitor e a natureza do objeto compacto remanescente. O trabalho se divide em duas partes: estudo dos neutrinos de SN1987A através de Análise Estatística Bayesiana através de um modelo proposto com duas temperaturas que evidenciam dois surtos de neutrinos. A motivação está na hipótese do segundo surto como resultado da formação de matéria estranha no objeto compacto. A metodologia empregada foi a desenvolvida por um trabalho interessante de Loredo (2002) que permite modelar e testar hipóteses sobre os modelos via Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). A segunda parte do trabalho, a mesma metodologia estatística é usada no estudo da distribuição de massas das estrelas de nêutrons usando a base de dados disponível (http://stellarcollapse.org). A base de dados foi analisada utilizando somente o valor do objeto e seu desvio padrão. Construindo uma função de verossimilhança e utilizando distribuições ``a priori\'\' com hipótese de bimodalidade da distribuição das massas contra uma distribuição unimodal sobre todas as massas dos objetos. O teste BIC indica forte tendência favorável à existência da bimodalidade com valores centrados em 1.37M para objetos de baixa massa e 1.73M para objetos de alta massa e a confirmação da fraca evidência de um terceiro pico esperado em 1.25M. / The extraordinary event of supernova has been investigated twenty five years ago. The fascination surrounds such astronomical event is on the real time observation the explosion at light to neutrino Physics. Detectors spread for the world had observed one burst neutrinos that days later it was confirmed as being of SN1987A. Kamiokande, IMB and Baksan had presented the detected events that allowed to the study of models for the explosion and cooling of hypothetical neutron star remain. Until today it does not have a consensus the origin of the progenitor and the nature of the remaining compact object. The work is divided in two parts: study of the neutrinos of SN1987A through Analysis Bayesiana Statistics through a model considered with two temperatures that two evidence bursts of neutrinos. The motivation is in the hypothesis of as burst as resulted of the formation of strange matter in the compact object. The employed methodology was developed for an interesting work of Loredo & Lamb (2002) that it allows shape and to test hypotheses on the models saw Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The second part of the work, the same methodology statistics is used in the study of the distribution of masses of the neutron stars using the available database http://stellarcollapse.org/. The database was analyzed only using the value of the object and its shunting line standard. Constructing to a a priori function likelihood and using distributions with hypothesis of bimodal distribution of the masses against a unimodal distribution on all the masses of objects. Test BIC indicates fort favorable trend the existence of the bimodality with values centered in 1.37M for objects of low mass and 1.73M for objects of high mass and week evidence of one third peak around 1.25M.

Diese Arbeit enthält die Ergebnisse der Suche nach Neutrino-induzierten kaskadenartigen Ereignissen mit dem AMANDA-II Detektor. Die Signatur von Elektron- und Tauonneutrinowechselwirkungen sind elektromagnetische sowie hadronische Teilchenschauer, sogenannte Kaskaden. Zusätzlich können Neutrinos aller Arten, die über neutrale Ströme wechselwirken, durch hadronische Kaskaden nachgewiesen werden. Es wurden Methoden zur Orts- und Energierekonstruktion von Kaskadenereignissen verbessert sowie neuentwickelt. Sowohl Orts- und Energieauflösung konnten mit Hilfe von künstlichen Lichtquellen verifiziert werden. Ausserdem wurde ein Neutrinogenerator entwickelt, der es erlaubt bis zu den höchsten Energien Neutrino-induzierte Ereignisse zu simulieren. Ein Filter zur Trennung Neutrino-induzierter Kaskaden vom Untergrund atmo- sphärischer Myonereignisse wurde entwickelt. Der erste Datensatz des AMANDA-II Detektors aus dem Jahr 2000 wurde auf die Sig- natur von hochenergetischen Neutrino-induzierten Kaskaden untersucht. Ein einzelnes Ereignis passierte alle Selektionsschnitte. Diese Beobachtung ist mit der erwarteten Anzahl Ereignisse durch atmosphärische Neutrinos und Myonen verträglich. Es wurden obere Grenzen auf den zusätzlichen Beitrag astrophysikalischer Neutrinos bestimmt. Unter der Annahme eines Neutrinoflußes phi(E), welcher proportional zu E^-2 ist, kann eine obere Grenze von E^2 phi(E)=9 10^-7 GeV s^-1 sr^-1 cm^-2 auf den Fluss von Neutrinos aller Arten angegeben werden (90% CL). Die obere Grenze stellt zur Zeit die restriktivste Einschränkung des Neutrinoflußes in einem Energiebereich von circa 50 TeV bis 5 PeV dar. Einige der untersuchten Modellvorhersagen sind nicht mit der Beobachtung verträglich und können somit ausgeschlossen werden. / The subject of this dissertation was the search for a diffuse flux of high energy neutrinos using the data collected with the AMANDA-II detector. In particular this work focused on the detection of neutrino-induced cascades. The signature of a charged current interaction of electron and tau neutrinos is a hadronic and/or electro-magnetic cascade. Additional cascade events from all neutrino flavors are obtained from neutral current interactions. Methods for reconstructing cascades were further improved or newly developed. Where possible, the performance of the reconstruction was tested with in-situ light sources. A Monte Carlo generator was developed, which allows state-of-the-art simulation of all-flavor neutrino events. A dedicated filter was designed which aimed at reducing the large background of atmospheric muons, while keeping a high efficiency for neutrino-induced cascades. The first year of data collected with the AMANDA-II detector has been analyzed. The observed event rates are consistent with the expected rate of neutrinos and muons produce by cosmic ray interaction in the Earth atmosphere. Upper limits on a diffuse flux of extraterrestrial electron, tau and muon neutrinos are presented. A flux of neutrinos following an E^-2 spectrum and consisting of an equal mix of all flavors is limited to E^2 phi(E) < 9 10^-7 GeV s^-1 sr^-1 cm^-2 (at 90 % CL) for a neutrino energy range 50 TeV to 5 PeV. In this energy range the limits are currently the most stringent available and rule out several existing flux predictions for extraterrestrial neutrinos.