On the detection of direct Cherenkov light from ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays

Author(s)

Martins, Edyvania Emily Pereira ; de Souza, Vitor

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Astroparticle Physics; v. 141, p. 5-pg., 2022-04-22.

Abstract

We evaluate the possibility of detecting direct Cherenkov (DC) light with fluorescence telescopes to do a mass estimation study, thus reducing the dependency on hadronic interaction models, as the DC light is emitted before the shower development. On the one hand, its detection is a known technique for the TeV energy range. On the other hand, the fluorescence telescopes can observe Cherenkov light from the shower development and use it for data analysis. We investigate how often the direct Cherenkov light can be distinguished from noise. We find the number of triggered events per year to be non-negligible in different iron concentration scenarios. The results indicate that this is a technique that can contribute to the composition estimation for high-energy cosmic rays. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/15897-1 - Cherenkov Telescope Array - CTA
• Grantee: Luiz Vitor de Souza Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants