1. Initial results of a direct comparison between the Surface Detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory and the Telescope ArrayR. Takeishi, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Ahmed Saleh, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Darko Veberič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2015, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Opis: The Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger) in Mendoza, Argentina and
the Telescope Array (TA) in Utah, USA aim at unraveling the
origin and nature of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR).
At present, there appear to be subtle differences between Auger
and TA results and interpretations. Joint working groups have
been established and have already reported preliminary
findings. From an experimental standpoint, the Surface
Detectors (SD) of both experiments make use of different
detection processes not equally sensitive to the components of
the extensive air showers making it to the ground. In particular, the muonic component of the shower measured at
ground level can be traced back to the primary composition,
which is critical for understanding the origin of UHECRs.
In order to make direct comparisons between the SD detection
techniques used by Auger and TA, a joint SD experimental
research program is being developed. In the first phase,
two Auger SD stations were deployed at the TA Central Laser
Facility to compare station-level responses. This paper
concentrates on the results obtained with the first Auger SD
station (an “Auger North” design), which has been operating
since October 2014. The second Auger SD station, identical to
the ones being operated at Auger in Argentina (an “Auger South”
design), was just deployed in June 2015. The second phase of
this research program will be to co-locate six Auger North SD
stations with TA stations in the field to compare event-level
responses.
Ključne besede: Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays, Pierre Auger Observatory, Telescope Array, extensive air showers, secondary cosmic rays, muonic shower component, surface detectors
Objavljeno v RUNG: 08.03.2016; Ogledov: 5286; Prenosov: 191
 Celotno besedilo (1,42 MB) |
2. Upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory (AugerPrime)Ralph Engel, Andrej Filipčič, Gašper Kukec Mezek, Ahmed Saleh, Samo Stanič, Marta Trini, Darko Veberič, Serguei Vorobiov, Lili Yang, Danilo Zavrtanik, Marko Zavrtanik, 2015, objavljeni znanstveni prispevek na konferenci Opis: The data collected with the Pierre Auger Observatory have led
to a number of surprising discoveries. While a strong
suppression of the particle flux at the highest energies has
been established unambiguously, the dominant physics processes
related to this suppression could not be identified.
Within the energy range covered by fluorescence detector
observations with sufficient statistics, an unexpected change
of the depth of maximum distribution is found. Using LHC-tuned
interaction models these observations can be understood as a
correlated change of the fluxes of different mass groups.
On the other hand, they could also indicate a change of
hadronic interactions above the energy of the ankle.
Complementing the water Cherenkov detectors of the surface
array with scintillator detectors will, mainly through the
determination of the muonic shower component, extend the
composition sensitivity of the Auger Observatory into the flux
suppression region. The upgrade of the Auger Observatory will
allow us to estimate the primary mass of the highest energy
cosmic rays on a shower-by-shower basis. In addition to
measuring the mass composition the upgrade will open the
possibility to search for light primaries at the highest
energies, to perform composition-selected anisotropy studies,
and to search for new phenomena including unexpected changes
of hadronic interactions. After introducing the physics
motivation for upgrading the Auger Observatory the planned
detector upgrade is presented. In the second part
of the contribution the expected performance and improved
physics sensitivity of the upgraded Auger Observatory are
discussed.
Ključne besede: Pierre Auger Observatory, ultra-high energy cosmic rays, elemental composition sensitivity, Auger upgrade (AugerPrime), muonic shower component, scintillator detectors
Objavljeno v RUNG: 03.03.2016; Ogledov: 4935; Prenosov: 225
Celotno besedilo (659,02 KB) |
