The fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

0354511 - FZÚ 2011 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Abraham, J. - Abreu, P. - Aglietta, M. - Boháčová, Martina - Chudoba, Jiří - Kárová, Tatiana - Mandát, Dušan - Nečesal, Petr - Nožka, Libor - Palatka, Miroslav - Nyklíček, M. - Pech, Miroslav - Prouza, Michael - Řídký, Jan - Schovancová, Jaroslava - Schovánek, Petr - Šmída, Radomír - Trávníček, Petr
The fluorescence detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory.
Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A. Roč. 620, 2-3 (2010), s. 227-251. ISSN 0168-9002. E-ISSN 1872-9576
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT(CZ) 1M06002; GA MŠMT(CZ) LA08016; GA AV ČR KJB100100904; GA MŠMT LC527; GA AV ČR KJB300100801
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z10100502; CEZ:AV0Z10100522
Keywords : cosmic rays * fluorescence detector
Subject RIV: BF - Elementary Particles and High Energy Physics
Impact factor: 1.142, year: 2010

The Pierre Auger Observatory is a hybrid detector for ultra-high energy cosmic rays. It combines a surface array to measure secondary particles at ground level together with a fluorescence detector to measure the development of air showers in the atmosphere above the array. The fluorescence detector comprises 24 large telescopes specialized for measuring the nitrogen fluorescence caused by charged particles of cosmic ray air showers. In this paper we describe the components of the fluorescence detector including its optical system, the design of the camera, the electronics, and the systems for relative and absolute calibration. We also discuss the operation and the monitoring of the detector. Finally, we evaluate the detector performance and precision of shower reconstructions.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0193496