The AMIGA muon counters of the Pierre Auger Observatory: performance and first data

B. WUNDHEILER; FOR THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION

Beijing

Conferencia; International Cosmic Ray Conference 2011; 2011

In this paper we introduce a full simulation of the AMIGA muon counters including, the modeling of its scintillators, wavelength shifter fibers, multi-anode photomultipliers, and front-end electronics. A novel technique for muon counting for such underground detectors based on their signal-time structure is presented. The proposed counting technique is evaluated with real and simulated muon pulses. Simulations of extensive air showers and particle propagation through matter were included in an end-to-end simulation chain. Preliminary results of the first muon counter modules installed at the Pierre Auger Observatory are presented.