Detection of cosmic rays using microwave radiation at the Pierre Auger Observatory

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION.; S. J. SCIUTTO

Conferencia; 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference; 2013

The discovery of microwave radiation from the passage of charged particles has opened a new windowfor the detection of ultra high energy cosmic rays. The main potential advantages of this technique are thepossibility to instrument a large area with a duty cycle of detection close to 100% and no atmospheric attenuation,all this using relatively cheap equipment. Cosmic ray detection in the GHz band is being pursued at the PierreAuger Observatory with three different set-ups: MIDAS and AMBER are prototypes of an imaging parabolic dishdetector, while EASIER instruments the surface detector units with a radio receiver of wide angular coverage.The status of microwave R&D activities at the Auger Observatory, including the first detections of cosmic ray airshowers by EASIER, will be reported.