Ultra-high Energy Cosmic Ray Observatories Research Articles

A balloon-borne prototype for demonstrating the concept of JEM-EUSO

EUSO-BALLOON has been conceived as a pathfinder for JEM-EUSO, a mission concept for a space-borne wide-field telescope monitoring the Earth’s nighttime atmosphere with the objective of recording the ultraviolet light from tracks initiated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays. Through a series of stratospheric balloon flights performed by the French Space Agency CNES, EUSO-BALLOON will serve as a test-bench for the key technologies of JEM-EUSO. EUSO-BALLOON shall perform an end-to-end test of all subsystems and components, and prove the global detection chain while improving our knowledge of the atmospheric and terrestrial ultraviolet background. The balloon-instrument also has the potential to detect for the first time UV-light generated by atmospheric air-shower from above, marking a milestone in the development of UHECR science, and paving the way for any future large scale, space-based ultra-high energy cosmic ray observatory.

On the prospects of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays detection by high altitude antennas

Radio emission from Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR) showers detected after specular reflection off the Antarctic ice surface has been recently demonstrated by the ANITA balloon-borne experiment. An antenna observing a large area of ice or water from a mountaintop, a balloon or a satellite may be competitive with more conventional techniques. We present an estimate of the exposure of a high altitude antenna, which provides insight on the prospects of this technique for UHECR detection. We find that a satellite antenna may reach a significantly larger exposure than existing UHECR observatories, but an experimental characterization of the radio reflected signal is required to establish the potential of this approach. A balloon-borne or a mountaintop antenna are found not to be competitive under any circumstances.

Data from accelerator-based experiments of relevance to the air shower observations

Implications of air shower of ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) need precise knowledge on hadronic interactions at very high energy. From this point of view recent LHC data have great impacts on the UHECR observation. Here various data from accelerator experiments including recent LHC data, of relevance to the air shower measurements, are briefly overviewed.

Detection of cosmogenic neutrinos with the KM3NeT telescope

Cosmogenic neutrinos are produced during the propagation of ultra high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) through the cosmological microwave background radiation. The extragalactic origin of UHECR guarantees generation of high energy cosmogenic neutrinos, however, the flux depends on the currently unknown properties of UHECR, for example, the chemical composition and distribution of the sources and their evolution with redshift. Estimations of cosmogenic neutrino fluxes, which are constrained by UHECR observations, include a range of models in which a detectable signal could be produced in a very large volume high-energy neutrino telescope. In particular the favorable scenarios are based on the models with a pure proton composition. The possible event rate of cosmogenic neutrinos in the KM3NeT telescope for the different flux models is discussed in this paper.

BLAZARS AS ULTRA-HIGH-ENERGY COSMIC-RAY SOURCES: IMPLICATIONS FOR TeV GAMMA-RAY OBSERVATIONS

The spectra of BL Lac objects and Fanaroff–Riley I radio galaxies are commonly explained by the one-zone leptonic synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model. Spectral modeling of correlated multiwavelength data gives the comoving magnetic field strength, the bulk outflow Lorentz factor, and the emission region size. Assuming the validity of the SSC model, the Hillas condition shows that only in rare cases such sources accelerate protons to much above 1019 eV, so ≳ 1020 eV ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are likely to be heavy ions if powered by this type of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Survival of nuclei is shown to be possible in TeV BL Lacs and misaligned counterparts with weak photohadronic emissions. Another signature of hadronic production is intergalactic UHECR-induced cascade emission, which is an alternative explanation of the TeV spectra of some extreme non-variable blazars such as 1ES 0229+200 or 1ES 1101−232. We study this kind of cascade signal, taking into account effects of the structured extragalactic magnetic fields in which the sources should be embedded. We demonstrate the importance of cosmic-ray deflections on the γ-ray flux, and show that required absolute cosmic-ray luminosities are larger than the average UHECR luminosity inferred from UHECR observations and can even be comparable to the Eddington luminosity of supermassive black holes. Future TeV γ-ray observations using the Cerenkov Telescope Array and the High Altitude Water Cerenkov detector array can test for UHECR acceleration by observing >25 TeV photons from relatively low redshift sources such as 1ES 0229+200, and ≳TeV photons from more distant radio-loud AGNs.

THE ROLE OF STRUCTURED MAGNETIC FIELDS ON CONSTRAINING PROPERTIES OF TRANSIENT SOURCES OF ULTRA-HIGH-ENERGY COSMIC RAYS

We study how the properties of transient sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) can be accessed by exploiting UHECR experiments, taking into account the propagation of UHECRs in magnetic structures which the sources are embedded in, i.e., clusters of galaxies and filamentary structures. Adopting simplified analytical models, we demonstrate that the structured extragalactic magnetic fields (EGMFs) play crucial roles in unveiling the properties of the transient sources. These EGMFs unavoidably cause significant delay in the arrival time of UHECRs as well as the Galactic magnetic field, even if the strength of magnetic fields in voids is zero. Then, we show that, given good knowledge on the structured EGMFs, UHECR observations with high statistics above $10^{20}$ eV allow us to constrain the generation rate of transient UHECR sources and their energy input per burst, which can be compared with the rates and energy release of known astrophysical phenomena. We also demonstrate that identifying the energy dependence of the apparent number density of UHECR sources at the highest energies is crucial as a clue to such transient sources. Future UHECR experiments with extremely large exposure are required to reveal the nature of transient UHECR sources.

Vacuum Cherenkov radiation in quantum electrodynamics with high-energy Lorentz violation

We study phenomena predicted by a renormalizable, CPT invariant extension of the Standard Model that contains higher-dimensional operators and violates Lorentz symmetry explicitly at energies greater than some scale Lambda_{L}. In particular, we consider the Cherenkov radiation in vacuo. In a rather general class of dispersion relations, there exists an energy threshold above which radiation is emitted. The threshold is enhanced in composite particles by a sort of kinematic screening mechanism. We study the energy loss and compare the predictions of our model with known experimental bounds on Lorentz violating parameters and observations of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays. We argue that the scale of Lorentz violation Lambda_{L} (with preserved CPT invariance) can be smaller than the Planck scale, actually as small as 10^{14}-10^{15} GeV. Our model also predicts the Cherenkov radiation of neutral particles.

Observation of Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic Rays with the ANITA Balloon-Borne Radio Interferometer

We report the observation of 16 cosmic ray events with a mean energy of 1.5 × 10¹⁹ eV via radio pulses originating from the interaction of the cosmic ray air shower with the Antarctic geomagnetic field, a process known as geosynchrotron emission. We present measurements in the 300-900 MHz range, which are the first self-triggered, first ultrawide band, first far-field, and the highest energy sample of cosmic ray events collected with the radio technique. Their properties are inconsistent with current ground-based geosynchrotron models. The emission is 100% polarized in the plane perpendicular to the projected geomagnetic field. Fourteen events are seen to have a phase inversion due to reflection of the radio beam off the ice surface, and two additional events are seen directly from above the horizon. Based on a likelihood analysis, we estimate angular pointing precision of order 2° for the event arrival directions.

UHECR observations and lensing in the magnetic field of the Virgo cluster

We discuss how lensing by magnetic fields in galaxy clusters affects ultrahigh energy cosmic ray (UHECR) observations. As specific example,we use Virgo together with the cluster magnetic fields obtained earlier in a constrained simulation of structure formation including MHD processes.We find that, if M87 is the single source of UHECRsfrom Virgo, the emitted flux is strongly anisotropic in the most interesting energy range, (50–100) EeV, and differs from the average value by a factor five or more for a significant fraction of observers. Since magnetic lensing is energy dependent, the external energy spectrum as seenby different observers varies strongly too. These anisotropies areaveraged out in the case that all active galactic nucleiin Virgo emit UHECRs. In both cases, the anisotropies of the emitted UHECR flux may introduce an important bias in theinterpretation of UHECR data like, e.g., the determination of the sourcedensity ns and the source energy spectrum of UHECRs.

Ultra high-energy cosmic ray observations

The year 2007 has furnished us with outstanding results about the origin of the most energetic cosmic rays: a flux suppression as expected from the GZK-effect has been observed in the data of the HiRes and Auger experiments and correlations between the positions of nearby AGN and the arrival directions of trans-GZK events have been observed by the Pierre Auger Observatory. The latter finding marks the beginning of ultra high-energy cosmic ray astronomy and is considered a major breakthrough starting to shed first light onto the sources of the most extreme particles in nature. This report summarizes those observations and includes other major advances of the field, mostly presented at the 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference held in Mérida, Mexico, in July 2007. With increasing statistics becoming available from current and even terminated experiments, systematic differences amongst different experiments and techniques can be studied in detail which is hoped to improve our understanding of experimental techniques and their limitations.

New analyses of double-bang events in the atmosphere

We use CORSIKA+Herwig simulation code to produce ultra-high energy neutrino interactions in the atmosphere. Our aim is to reproduce extensive air showers originated by extragalactic tau-neutrinos. For charged current tau-neutrino interactions in the atmosphere, beside the air shower originated from the neutrino interaction, it is expected that a tau is created and may decay before reaching the ground. That phenomenon makes possible the generation of two related extensive air showers, the so called Double-Bang event. We make an analysis of the main characteristics of Double-Bang events in the atmosphere for mean values of the parameters involved in such phenomenon, like the inelasticity and tau decay length. We discuss what may happen for the ``out of the average'' cases and conclude that it may be possible to observe this kind of event in ultra-high energy cosmic ray observatories such as Pierre Auger or Telescope Array.

A telescope for observation from space of extreme lightnings in the upper atmosphere

A new type of telescope with a wide field-of-view and functions of fast zoom-in has been introduced. Two kinds of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) micromirrors, digital and analog, are used for reflectors of the telescope, placed at different focal lengths. We apply this technology to the observation from space of TLE (Transient Luminous Events), extremely large transient sparks occurring at the upper atmosphere. TLE are one type of important backgrounds to be understood for future space observation of UHECR (Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays). The launch of the payload carried by a Russian microsatellite is foreseen in the middle of 2008.

Ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray bounds on nonbirefringent modified Maxwell theory

A particularly simple Lorentz-violating modification of the Maxwell theory of photons maintains gauge invariance, $CPT$, and renormalization. This modified Maxwell theory, coupled to standard Dirac particles, involves 19 dimensionless ``deformation parameters.'' Ten of these parameters lead to birefringence and are already tightly constrained by astrophysics. New bounds on the remaining nine nonbirefringent parameters can be obtained from the absence of vacuum Cherenkov radiation for ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). Using selected UHECR events recorded at the Pierre Auger Observatory and assigning pseudorandom directions (i.e., assuming large-scale isotropy), Cherenkov bounds are found at the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ level, which improve considerably upon current laboratory bounds. Future UHECR observations may reduce these Cherenkov bounds to the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}23}$ level.

Cosmic Rays: The Highest-Energy Messengers

The origin of the most energetic particles ever observed, cosmic rays, will begin to be revealed in the next few years. Newly constructed ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray observatories together with high-energy gamma-ray and neutrino observatories are well positioned to unveil this mystery before the centenary of their discovery in 2012. Cosmic ray sources are likely to involve the most energetic phenomena ever witnessed in the universe.

Status of superheavy dark matter

Superheavy particles are a natural candidate for the dark matter in the universe and our galaxy, because they are produced generically during inflation in cosmologically interesting amounts. The most attractive model for the origin of superheavy dark matter (SHDM) is gravitational production at the end of inflation. The observed cosmological density of dark matter determines the mass of the SHDM particle as $m_X=$(a few)$\:\times 10^{13}$ GeV, promoting it to a natural candidate for the source of the observed ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR). After a review of the theoretical aspects of SHDM, we up-date its predictions for UHECR observations: no GZK cutoff, flat energy spectrum with $dN/dE\approx 1/E^{1.9}$, photon dominance and galactic anisotropy. We analyze the existing data and conclude that SDHM as explanation for the observed UHECRs is at present disfavored but not yet excluded. We calculate the anisotropy relevant for future Auger observations that should be the conclusive test for this model. Finally, we emphasize that negative results of searches for SHDM in UHECR do not disfavor SHDM as a dark matter candidate. Therefore, UHECRs produced by SHDM decays and with the signatures as described should be searched for in the future as subdominant effect.

Gamma-ray bursts: Potential sources of ultra high energy cosmic-rays

The arguments suggesting an association between the sources of cosmological gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and the sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are presented. Recent GRB and UHECR observations are shown to strengthen these arguments. Predictions of the GRB model for UHECR production, that may be tested with large area high energy cosmic-ray detectors which are either operating or under construction, are outlined.

New measurement on photon yields from air and the application to the energy estimation of primary cosmic rays

The air fluorescence technique is used to detect ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECR), and to estimate their energy. Of fundamental importance is the photon yield due to excitation by electrons, in air of various densities and temperatures. After our previous report, the experiment has been continued using a 90Sr β source to study the pressure dependence of photon yields for radiation in nitrogen and dry air. The photon yields in 15 wave bands between 300nm and 430nm have been determined. The total photon yield between 300nm and 406nm (used in most experiments) in air excited by a 0.85MeV electron is 3.81±0.13 (±13% systematics) photons per meter at 1013hPa and 20°C. The air density and temperature dependencies of 15 wave bands are given for application to UHECR observations.

High‐Energy Cosmic Rays from Gamma‐Ray Burst Sources: A Stronger Case

The suggested association between the sources of γ-ray bursts (GRBs) and the sources of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) is based on two arguments: (1) the constraints that UHECR sources must satisfy in order to allow proton acceleration to greater than 1020 eV are similar to those inferred for GRB sources from γ-ray observations, and (2) the average energy generation rate of UHECRs is similar to the γ-ray generation rate of GRBs. We show that recent GRB and UHECR observations strengthen both arguments and hence strengthen the suggested association.

New hadrons as ultrahigh energy cosmic rays

Ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) protons produced by uniformly distributed astrophysical sources contradict the energy spectrum measured by both the AGASA and HiRes experiments, assuming the small scale clustering of UHECR observed by AGASA is caused by point-like sources. In that case, the small number of sources leads to a sharp exponential cutoff at the energy E<10^{20} eV in the UHECR spectrum. New hadrons with mass 1.5-3 GeV can solve this cutoff problem. For the first time we discuss the production of such hadrons in proton collisions with infrared/optical photons in astrophysical sources. This production mechanism, in contrast to proton-proton collisions, requires the acceleration of protons only to energies E<10^{21} eV. The diffuse gamma-ray and neutrino fluxes in this model obey all existing experimental limits. We predict large UHE neutrino fluxes well above the sensitivity of the next generation of high-energy neutrino experiments. As an example we study hadrons containing a light bottom squark. These models can be tested by accelerator experiments, UHECR observatories and neutrino telescopes.

Photon yields from nitrogen gas and dry air excited by electrons

In order to detect ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECR), atmospheric fluorescence light from the trajectory of the extensive air shower may be measured by mirror-photosensor systems. In this type of experiment the photon yield from electrons exciting air of various densities and temperatures is most fundamental information for estimating the primary energy of UHECR. An experiment has been undertaken using a 90Sr β source to study the pressure dependence of photon yields, and the life times of the excited states, for radiation in nitrogen and dry air. The photon yield between 300 and 406 nm in air excited by 0.85 MeV electrons is 3.73 ± 0.15 (±14% systematic) photons per meter at 1000 hPa and 20 °C. The air density and temperature dependence is given for application to UHECR observations.