The mass composition of cosmic rays measured with LOFAR

Jörg R. Hörandel, A. Bonardi, S. Buitink, A. Corstanje, H. Falcke, P. Mitra, K. Mulrey, A. Nelles, J. P. Rachen, L. Rossetto, P. Schellart, O. Scholten, S. Ter Veen, S. Thoudam, T. N.G. Trinh, T. Winchen

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

High-energy cosmic rays, impinging on the atmosphere of the Earth initiate cascades of secondary particles, the extensive air showers. The electrons and positrons in the air shower emit electromagnetic radiation. This emission is detected with the LOFAR radio telescope in the frequency range from 30 to 240 MHz. The data are used to determine the properties of the incoming cosmic rays. The radio technique is now routinely used to measure the arrival direction, the energy, and the particle type (atomic mass) of cosmic rays in the energy range from 1017 to 1018 eV. This energy region is of particular astrophysical interest, since in this regime a transition from a Galactic to an extra-galactic origin of cosmic rays is expected. For illustration, the LOFAR results are used to set constraints on models to describe the origin of high-energy cosmic rays.

Original languageBritish English
Article number02001
JournalEPJ Web of Conferences
Volume136
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Mar 2017
Event6th Roma International Conference on Astroparticle Physics, RICAP 2016 - Frascati, Roma, Italy
Duration: 21 Jun 201624 Jun 2016

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