Abstract
Cherenkov telescopes are also sensitive to the atmospheric fluorescence produced by the extensive air showers. However this contribution is neglected by the reconstruction algorithms of imaging air Cherenkov telescopes IACTs and wide-angle Cherenkov detectors WACDs. In this paper we evaluate the fluorescence contamination in the Cherenkov signals from MC simulations in both kinds of Cherenkov telescopes and for some typical observational situations. Results for an observation level of 2200 m a.s.l. are shown. In addition, the feasibility and capabilities of IACTs working as fluorescence telescopes are discussed with the assistance of some geometrical calculations.
Highlights
An extensive air shower (EAS) generates radiation in the optical range due to the Cherenkov effect as well as to the fluorescence emission after the de-excitation of air molecules excited by the charged particles of the shower
This contribution is neglected by the reconstruction algorithms of imaging air Cherenkov telescopes IACTs and wide-angle Cherenkov detectors WACDs
Fluorescence emission is less efficient than Cherenkov production (e.g., a 1 GeV electron near ground generates in one meter about 30 Cherenkov photons but only about 4 fluorescence photons)
Summary
An extensive air shower (EAS) generates radiation in the optical range due to the Cherenkov effect as well as to the fluorescence emission after the de-excitation of air molecules excited by the charged particles of the shower. The feasibility and capabilities of IACTs working as fluorescence telescopes are discussed with the assistance of some geometrical calculations.
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