The influence of the atmospheric refractive index on radio Xmax measurements of air showers

Arthur Corstanje, Stijn Buitink, Antonio Bonardi, Heino Falcke, Jörg R. Hörandel, Pragati Mitra, Katie Mulrey, Anna Nelles, Jörg Paul Rachen, Laura Rossetto, Pim Schellart, Olaf Scholten, Satyendra Thoudam, Gia Trinh, Sander Ter Veen, Tobias Winchen

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

Abstract

The refractive index of the atmosphere, which is n ≈ 1:0003 at sea level, varies with altitude and with local temperature, pressure and humidity. When performing radio measurements of air showers, natural variations in n will change the radio lateral intensity distribution, by changing the Cherenkov angle. Using CoREAS simulations, we have evaluated the systematic error on measurements of the shower maximum Xmax due to variations in n. It was found that a 10% increase in refractivity (n - 1) leads to an underestimation of Xmax between 8 and 22 g/cm2 for proton-induced showers at zenith angles from 15 to 45 degrees, respectively.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication7th International Conference on Acoustic and Radio EeV Neutrino Detection Activities, ARENA 2016
EditorsJorg R. Horandel, Robert Lahmann, Olaf Scholten, Sijbrand De Jong, Rolf Nahnhauer, Stijn Buitink
PublisherEDP Sciences
ISBN (Electronic)9782759890156
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Mar 2017
Event7th International Conference on Acoustic and Radio EeV Neutrino Detection Activities, ARENA 2016 - Groningen, Netherlands
Duration: 7 Jun 201610 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameEPJ Web of Conferences
Volume135
ISSN (Print)2101-6275
ISSN (Electronic)2100-014X

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Acoustic and Radio EeV Neutrino Detection Activities, ARENA 2016
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityGroningen
Period7/06/1610/06/16

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The influence of the atmospheric refractive index on radio Xmax measurements of air showers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this