A template method for measuring the iron spectrum in cosmic rays with Cherenkov telescopes

Henrike Fleischhack

doi:10.1088/1742-6596/632/1/012009

Abstract

Understanding the sources, acceleration mechanisms, and propagation of cosmic rays is an active area of research in astro-particle physics. Measuring the spectrum and elemental composition of cosmic rays on earth can help solve this question. IACTs, while mainly used for γ-ray astronomy and indirect searches for dark matter, can make an important contribution here. In particular, they are able to distinguish heavy nuclei in cosmic rays from protons and lighter nuclei by exploiting the direct Cherenkov light emitted by charged particles high in the atmosphere. In this paper, a method to reconstruct relevant properties of primary cosmic ray particles from the Cherenkov light emitted by the primary particles and the air showers induced by them will be presented.

Highlights

Cosmic rays (CRs), charged particles of extraterrestrial origin impinging on the earth’s atmosphere, were discovered more than one hundred years ago
IACTs, while mainly used for γ-ray astronomy and indirect searches for dark matter, can make an important contribution here. They are able to distinguish heavy nuclei in cosmic rays from protons and lighter nuclei by exploiting the direct Cherenkov light emitted by charged particles high in the atmosphere
It is useful to discriminate between iron-induced showers, which can have a contribution from direct Cherenkov light, and showers induced by protons and light elements, where the direct Cherenkov light is not detectable

Summary

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A template method for measuring the iron spectrum in cosmic rays with Cherenkov telescopes This content has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text. Ser. 632 012009 (http://iopscience.iop.org/1742-6596/632/1/012009) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more. Download details: IP Address: 141.34.3.11 This content was downloaded on 27/01/2016 at 13:47 Please note that terms and conditions apply. A template method for measuring the iron spectrum in cosmic rays with Cherenkov telescopes Henrike Fleischhack

Introduction

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd

The probability distribution per pixel is given by

Conclusions and Outlook