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Abstract
In the past fifteen years, UHECR hybrid detection systems – combinations of fluorescence techniques with very large ground arrays (over 10 3 km 2 ) – have provided data sets of unprecedented statistics and quality However, the paucity of events above the GZK cut-off combined with the limited duty cycle of the fluorescence detectors calls for further progress in the detection techniques and larger aperture. Above 50 EeV the current world data sets are of the order of 200 events out of which only a handful have been observed in hybrid mode. Hence, while the spectrum feature as well as anisotropy studies can be performed, although with limitation, a proper identification of the primary particle is out of reach. I argue here that the next generation observatory should reach an aperture of several 10 4 km 2 using detectors able to measure both the muonic and electromagnetic component of each individual extensive air shower in order to provide the necessary information to pin down the primary cosmic ray nature and possibly point back at their sources.
Highlights
The origin of masses and the existence of the Higgs boson, the symmetries of Nature and the reality of SUSY, the unification of forces and the quantization of Gravity, the origin and fate of the Universe, the nature of dark energy and dark matter are some of today’s fundamental physics questions that are best studied at very high energies
I argue here that the generation observatory should reach an aperture of several 104 km2 using detectors able to measure both the muonic and electromagnetic component of each individual extensive air shower in order to provide the necessary information to pin down the primary cosmic ray nature and possibly point back at their sources
If one could access the nature of the primary particle and the details of the cascade evolution and content, a lot of information would be collected on the nature of hadronic interactions above 100 TeV center-of-mass and on the sources of such energetic particles
Summary
The origin of masses and the existence of the Higgs boson, the symmetries of Nature and the reality of SUSY, the unification of forces and the quantization of Gravity, the origin and fate of the Universe, the nature of dark energy and dark matter are some of today’s fundamental physics questions that are best studied at very high energies. Above 1019 eV (10 EeV or 1.6 Joules), cosmic rays are scarce (less than one per km per year) and essentially unidentified This situation dramatically limits the contribution of UHECR physics to the above mentioned problems. If one could access the nature of the primary particle and the details of the cascade evolution and content, a lot of information would be collected on the nature of hadronic interactions above 100 TeV center-of-mass and on the sources of such energetic particles. Such a collection of data regarding particle interactions and cascade developments at the highest energies and regarding the nature and content of our Universe will certainly play an invaluable role in our understanding of fundamental physics
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