Coherent Cherenkov radiation from cosmic-ray-induced air showers

Very energetic cosmic rays entering the atmosphere of Earth will create a plasma cloud moving with almost the speed of light. The magnetic field of Earth induces an electric current in this cloud which is responsible for the emission of coherent electromagnetic radiation. We propose to search for a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2011-08, Vol.107 (6), p.061101-061101, Article 061101
Main Authors: de Vries, K D, van den Berg, A M, Scholten, O, Werner, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Physics
Sciences of the Universe
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Very energetic cosmic rays entering the atmosphere of Earth will create a plasma cloud moving with almost the speed of light. The magnetic field of Earth induces an electric current in this cloud which is responsible for the emission of coherent electromagnetic radiation. We propose to search for a new effect: Because of the index of refraction of air, this radiation is collimated in a Cherenkov cone. To express the difference from usual Cherenkov radiation, i.e., the emission from a fast-moving electric charge, we call this magnetically induced Cherenkov radiation. We indicate its signature and possible experimental verification.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.061101