Abstract
We present measured radio emission from cosmic-ray-induced air showers under thunderstorm conditions. We observe for these events large differences in intensity, linear polarization and circular polarization from the events measured under fair-weather conditions. This can be explained by the effects of atmospheric electric fields in thunderclouds. Therefore, measuring the intensity and polarization of radio emission from cosmic ray extensive air showers during thunderstorm conditions provides a new tool to probe the atmospheric electric fields present in thunderclouds.
Highlights
We present measured radio emission from cosmic-ray-induced air showers under thunderstorm conditions
We observe for these events large differences in intensity, linear polarization and circular polarization from the events measured under fair-weather conditions
We present the measurement with the LOw-Frequency ARay (LOFAR) radio telescope using the Low-Band Antennas (LBA)
Summary
Air showers differ considerably [3] from events in fair-weather conditions, so they can be used to probe the atmospheric electric fields present in thunderclouds. Radio emission from air showers is measured by many experiments. We present the measurement with the LOw-Frequency ARay (LOFAR) radio telescope using the Low-Band Antennas (LBA). The LBA, having the frequency range of 10 - 90 MHz, are grouped into circular stations. The core of LOFAR, so-called ’Superterp’, consists of 6 such stations, located in a ∼ 320 m diameter region. The read-out of the LOFAR antennas for a cosmic-ray event is triggered by the LORA particle detector array at the Superterp. The measurements are done in both fair-weather and thunderstorm conditions
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