Shower Xmax determination based on LOFAR radio measurements

FOR THE LOFAR COLLABORATION

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

LOFAR is a multipurpose radio telescope which can be used for radio detection of cosmic rays while running astronomical observations at the same time. The core of LOFAR contains 2300 antennas within an area of four square kilometer. This high density makes it an ideal location for a detailed study of the radio signal of extensive air showers in the energy range 1016 - 1018 eV. The LORA scintillator array is located at the center of LOFAR and provides a trigger for the system and a reconstruction of the shower parameters. We present an analysis of high quality LOFAR events for which the lateral distribution of the radio signal can be studied in 2D. For each event dedicated simulation sets for proton and iron primaries have been produced. The radio and particle data are fitted simultaneously to the simulation. This leads to a reconstruction of the depth of the shower maximum Xmax, which opens the possibility for cosmic ray composition studies at energies exceeding 1016 eV.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
ISBN (Electronic)9788589064293
StatePublished - 2013
Event33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Duration: 2 Jul 20139 Jul 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
Volume2013-October

Conference

Conference33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CityRio de Janeiro
Period2/07/139/07/13

Keywords

  • Air showers
  • Experiments
  • LOFAR
  • Radio emission

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