scholarly journals Ultrahigh Energy Neutrinos at the Pierre Auger Observatory

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Abreu ◽  
M. Aglietta ◽  
M. Ahlers ◽  
E. J. Ahn ◽  
I. F. M. Albuquerque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Detector Array ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Astroparticle Physics ◽  
Air Showers ◽  
Diffuse Flux ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Surface Detector ◽  
A Priority

The observation of ultrahigh energy neutrinos (UHEνs) has become a priority in experimental astroparticle physics. UHEνs can be detected with a variety of techniques. In particular, neutrinos can interact in the atmosphere (downward-goingν) or in the Earth crust (Earth-skimmingν), producing air showers that can be observed with arrays of detectors at the ground. With the surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory we can detect these types of cascades. The distinguishing signature for neutrino events is the presence of very inclined showers produced close to the ground (i.e., after having traversed a large amount of atmosphere). In this work we review the procedure and criteria established to search for UHEνs in the data collected with the ground array of the Pierre Auger Observatory. This includes Earth-skimming as well as downward-going neutrinos. No neutrino candidates have been found, which allows us to place competitive limits to the diffuse flux of UHEνs in the EeV range and above.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Monitoring at a Cosmic Ray Observatory - a long-lasting endeavour

2019 ◽  
Vol 197 ◽  
pp. 02001
Author(s):  
Bianca Keilhauer
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Extensive Air Showers ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Air Showers ◽  
Atmospheric Monitoring ◽  
Surface Detector ◽  
Planning And Construction

The Pierre Auger Observatory for detecting ultrahigh energy cosmic rays has been founded in 1999. After a main planning and construction phase of about five years, the regular data taking started in 2004, but it took another four years until the full surface detector array was deployed. In parallel to the main detectors of the Observatory, a comprehensive set of instruments for monitoring the atmospheric conditions above the array was developed and installed as varying atmospheric conditions influence the development and detection of extensive air showers. The multitude of atmospheric monitoring installations at the Pierre Auger Observatory will be presented as well as the challenges and efforts to run such instruments for several decades.

scholarly journals Limit on the diffuse flux of ultrahigh energy tau neutrinos with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

2009 ◽  
Vol 79 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Abraham ◽  
P. Abreu ◽  
M. Aglietta ◽  
C. Aguirre ◽  
E. J. Ahn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Diffuse Flux ◽  
Tau Neutrinos ◽  
Surface Detector

scholarly journals A next-generation ground array for the detection of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays: the Fluorescence detector Array of Single-pixel Telescopes (FAST)

2019 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 06003
Author(s):  
Toshihiro Fujii ◽  
Max Malacari ◽  
Justin Albury ◽  
Jose A. Bellido ◽  
Ladislav Chytka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Detector Array ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Fluorescence Detector ◽  
Telescope Array ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Rays ◽  
Single Pixel

The origin and nature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is one of the most intriguing and important mysteries in astroparticle physics. The two largest observatories currently in operation, the Telescope Array Experiment in central Utah, USA, and the Pierre Auger Observatory in western Argentina, have been steadily observing UHECRs in both hemispheres for over a decade. We highlight the latest results from both of these experiments, and address the requirements for a next-generation UHECR observatory. The Fluorescence detector Array of Single-pixel Telescopes (FAST) is a design concept for a next-generation UHECR observa-tory, addressing the requirements for a large-area, low-cost detector suitable for measuring the properties of the highest energy cosmic rays with an unprecedented aperture. We have developed a full-scale prototype consisting of four 200 mm photomultiplier-tubes at the focus of a segmented mirror of 1.6 m in diameter. Over the last three years, we installed three such prototypes at the Black Rock Mesa site of the Telescope Array Experiment. These telescopes have been steadily taking data since installation. We report on preliminary results of the full-scale FAST prototypes, including measurements of distant ultraviolet lasers and UHECRs. Futhermore, we discuss our plan to install an additional identical FAST prototype at the Pierre Auger Observatory. Possible benefits to the Telescope Array and the Pierre Auger Observatory include a comparison of the transparency of the atmosphere above both experiments, a study of the systematic uncertainty associated with their existing fluorescence detectors, and a cross-calibration of their energy and Xmax scales.

scholarly journals Overview of the Auger@TA project and preliminary results from Phase I

2019 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 05002
Author(s):  
Fred Sarazin ◽  
Corbin Covault ◽  
Toshihiro Fujii ◽  
Robert Halliday ◽  
Jeffrey Johnsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Gear Up ◽  
Air Showers ◽  
Telescope Array ◽  
Surface Detector ◽  
First Results ◽  
Micro Array ◽  
Cross Calibration

We report on the first results of a unique in-situ experimental cross-calibration effort of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory and of the Telescope Array experiment (Auger@TA). In the first phase of Auger@TA, we performed surface detector station-to-station comparisons for a collection of extensive air showers landing near the experimental setup and detected by Telescope Array. Beyond the deduced cross-calibration curve between the Water-Cherenkov-based Auger and Scintillator-based TA Surface Detector stations, we also investigate the consistency of their response for individual reconstructed showers. The dataset is currently too small to draw firm conclusions as-of-yet. Hence, phase I data taking will continue even as we gear up for the deployment of an Auger micro-array within Telescope Array as part of Phase II of this work.

scholarly journals Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum with the Pierre Auger Observatory

2019 ◽  
Vol 209 ◽  
pp. 01029
Author(s):  
Daniela Mockler
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Detector Array ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Fluorescence Detector ◽  
High Energy Cosmic Rays ◽  
Systematic Uncertainties ◽  
Surface Detector

The flux of ultra-high energy cosmic rays above 3×1017 eV has been measured with unprecedented precision at the Pierre Auger Observatory. The flux of the cosmic rays is determined by four different measurements. The surface detector array provides three data sets, two formed by dividing the data into two zenith angle ranges, and one obtained from a nested, denser detector array. The fourth measurement is obtained with the fluorescence detector. By combing all four data sets, the all-sky flux of cosmic rays is determined. The spectral features are discussed in detail and systematic uncertainties are addressed.

scholarly journals Direct measurement of upward-going ultrahigh energy dark matter at the Pierre Auger Observatory

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Xu
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Energy Range ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Extensive Air Shower ◽  
Air Shower ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Incoming Energy ◽  
Superheavy Dark Matter

Abstract It is assumed that two types of dark matter particles exist: superheavy dark matter particles (SHDM), the mass of which ∼ inflaton mass, and light fermion dark matter (DM) particles, which are the ultrahigh energy (UHE) products of the decay of SHDM. The Earth will be taken as a detector to search for the UHE DM particles directly. These upward-going particles, which pass through the Earth and air and interact with nuclei, can be detected by the fluorescence detectors (FD) of the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger), via fluorescent photons due to the development of an extensive air shower. The numbers and fluxes of expected UHE DM particles are evaluated in the incoming energy range between 1 EeV and 1 ZeV with the different lifetimes of decay of SHDM and mass of Z′. According to the Auger data from 2008 to 2019, the upper limit for UHE DM fluxes is also estimated at 90% confidence limit with the FD of Auger. Finally, it is reasonable to make a conclusion that UHE DM particles could be directly detected in the energy range between O(1 EeV) and O(10 EeV) with the FD of Auger. This might prove whether SHDM particles exist in the Universe.

RECENT RESULTS FROM THE PIERRE AUGER OBSERVATORY

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (supp01) ◽  
pp. 118-131
Author(s):  
◽  
CAROLA DOBRIGKEIT
Keyword(s):  
Energy Spectrum ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Pierre Auger Observatory ◽  
Detector Array ◽  
Average Depth ◽  
Ultrahigh Energy ◽  
Arrival Direction ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Shower Maximum

The Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina is the largest cosmic ray detector array ever built. Its main goal is to measure cosmic rays of energy above 1018 eV with unprecedented statistics and precision. Although the construction of its baseline design was completed in mid-2008, the Observatory has been taking data continuously since January 2004. The main results obtained with the Pierre Auger Observatory are presented, with emphasis on the energy spectrum and studies of composition and arrival directions of the ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. Features observed in the energy spectrum are discussed. Results about cosmic ray composition inferred from systematic studies of the average depth of shower maximum and its fluctuations are reviewed. Recent results of studies of arrival direction distributions and correlations with nearby extragalactic objects are presented.

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