Collaborative Research: Characterization of Microwave Continuum Emission from Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Air Showers

目前有两种互补的方法来探测超高能宇宙线（UHECR）：地面阵列中的直接粒子探测，以及间接观测粒子簇射穿过大气层时激发粒子和等离子体残留气体的二次发射。后一种方法现在只应用于分子氮的光学荧光，但这不是唯一可能的发射通道。该小组建议扩大后一种方法的范围，研究通过这些事件产生的广泛空气簇射电离的微波分子韧致辐射观测超高能宇宙射线的可行性。为此，他们将在阿根廷部署空气簇射微波韧致辐射实验辐射计（AMBER）阵列，与俄歇天文台一起观测UHECR。一个原型正在夏威夷运行，并产生了宇宙射线起源事件的结果。该方法有可能将间接观测方法扩展到100%占空比。研究人员通过与夏威夷马诺阿大学现有的QuarkNet中心合作的一个项目寻求对该项目产生更广泛的影响，以扩大目前的教师培训讲习班，包括无线电和微波教学部分，集中在高能宇宙粒子的无线电探测方面。这一教学和培训部分将为课程开发提供机会，沿着一个种子计划，在夏威夷的一部分高中部署无线电科学研究的小型微波盘，以促进夏威夷服务不足的学生的科学培训的改善。

Currently there are two complementary methods for the detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs): direct particle detection in ground arrays, and indirect observation of secondary emission from the residual gas of excited particles and plasma left when the shower of particles transits the atmosphere. The latter method is now applied only to optical fluorescence of molecular nitrogen, but this is not the only possible emission channel. This group proposes to extend the reach of this latter approach by studying the feasibility of observing ultra-high energy cosmic rays via microwave molecular bremsstrahlung radiation from the extensive air shower ionization produced by these events. To do this, they will deploy the Airshower Microwave Bremsstrahlung Experimental Radiometer (AMBER) array in Argentina for observation of UHECRs in conjunction with the Auger Observatory. A prototype is in operation in Hawaii and has produced results suggesting events of cosmic ray origin. The method has the potential to extend the indirect observation methods to a 100% duty cycle. The investigators seek a broader impact for the project through a program which partners with the existing QuarkNet center at the Univ. of Hawaii Manoa, to expand current teacher training workshops to include a radio and microwave teaching component, centered on aspects of radio detection of high energy cosmic particles. This teaching and training component will provide opportunities for curriculum development, along with a seed program to deploy small microwave dishes for radio science studies at a subset of high schools in Hawaii, to facilitate improvement in science training for Hawaii's underserved students.