On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve

Details On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve

Feb 2003

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2003aph....18..513g&link_type=abstract

Astroparticle Physics, Volume 18, Issue 5, p. 513-523.

Physics

2

Scientific paper

A method to determine the primary energy of very rare big extensive air showers is to measure the fluorescence light flashes induced by them in the atmosphere. From a shower fluorescence image (and its time dependence) it is, in principle, possible to reconstruct the shower cascade curve. The Pierre Auger experiment (in construction) has been using this method (together with measuring the shower charged particles as well) to determine the highest energy part of the cosmic ray spectrum (E>~1019 eV) and particle arrival directions.
Here we analyse which shower parameters affect its image, and, if not taken into account in the reconstruction procedure, may lead to systematic errors in determining its light (cascade) curve, and in consequence, the energy and/or mass of the primary particle. In particular, we analyse the lateral distribution of particles, the thickness and curvature of the shower disk, together with the spherical aberration of the collecting mirror. We show that a non-negligible part of the light flux for showers closer than ~15 km to the detector may be hidden in the non-triggered pixels of the camera. For more distant showers this effect is small, but then the atmospheric attenuation has to be known better.
We also derive an analytical solution for a spherical mirror focal plane position and the minimal size of the image (spot size) of a parallel light beam.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On possibilities of the fluorescence detector to measure the shower light curve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-919786