Experimental Particle Astrophysics

该提案要求东北大学的一个小组提供支持，以便为Pierre Auger天文台（PAO）进行软件开发，现象学研究和数据分析。 PAO目前正在阿根廷的马拉格收集其第一个数据集，是有史以来建造的最大的空气簇射阵列。在接下来的几年里，PAO将收集能量超过10^19 eV的宇宙射线的前所未有的统计样本。由地面阵列和荧光探测器组成，PAO将处于独特的位置，以确认或反驳HiRes在6x10^19 eV左右观察到的GZK截止值，并解决这些能量下先前地面阵列和荧光探测器光谱结果之间的差异。PAO还将获得这些能量的粒子的高统计到达方向天空图，从而大大提高了在南天半球寻找超高能宇宙射线源的灵敏度。该小组还计划在宇宙射线相互作用中寻找超对称性和量子引力的特征。在更广泛的影响领域，该小组已经开始开发一个名为学校宇宙射线外展探测器（SCROD）的项目，其最终目标是在该地区的高中部署宇宙射线探测器。 没有资金支持SCROD的要求，超出了东北大学PAO工作人员的时间。目前正在从其他来源寻求为个别探测器提供资金。

This proposal requests support for a group from Northeastern University to enable software development, phenomenological studies, and data analysis for the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO). The PAO, currently collecting its first dataset in Malargue, Argentina, is the largest air-shower array ever constructed. Over the next several years, PAO will collect an unprecedented statistical sample of cosmic rays with energies above 10^19 eV. Consisting of both a ground array and fluorescence detectors, PAO will be in a unique position to confirm or refute HiRes's observation of the GZK cutoff at around 6x10^19 eV and resolve the discrepancy between previous ground array and fluorescence detector spectral results at these energies. The PAO will also obtain high-statistics arrival direction skymaps for particles at these energies, allowing for significantly improved sensitivity in the search for sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays in the southern celestial hemisphere. The group also plans searches for signatures of supersymmetry and quantum gravity in cosmic ray interactions.In the Broader Impacts area, this group has started development of a program called the School Cosmic Ray Outreach Detector (SCROD), which has the eventual aim of deploying cosmic ray detectors at area high schools. No funding support is requested for SCROD, beyond the time of the Northeastern University PAO staff. Funding for individual detectors is being sought from other sources.