An update on the search for ultra-high energy photons using the Pierre Auger Observatory

THE PIERRE AUGER COLLABORATION (AUTOR 434 DE 474); M. TUEROS (COAUTOR)

Beijing

Conferencia; 32nd International Cosmic Ray Conference 2011; 2011

Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

The large collection area of the Pierre Auger Observatory and the availability of a variety of compositionsensitive parameters provide an excellent opportunity to search for photons in the cosmic ray flux above 1018 eV. Upper limits published previously, using data from the Observatory, placed severe constraints on top-down models. Now, the increase in exposure by more than a factor 2 since 2008 together with the combination of different observables means that the detection of GZK-photons predicted using bottom-up models is almost within reach. Current results will be presented and their implications will be discussed.