J.C. D’Olivo

A new composition-sensitive parameter for ultra-high energy cosmic rays

Abstract A new family of parameters intended for composition studies in cosmic ray surface array detectors is proposed. The application of this technique to different array layout designs has been analyzed. The parameters make exclusive use of surface data combining the information from the total signal at each triggered detector and the array geometry. They are sensitive to the combined effects of the different muon and electromagnetic components on the lateral distribution function of proton and iron initiated showers at any given primary energy. Analytical and numerical studies have been performed in order to assess the reliability, stability and optimization of these parameters. Experimental uncertainties, the underestimation of the muon component in the shower simulation codes, intrinsic fluctuations and reconstruction errors are considered and discussed in a quantitative way. The potential discrimination power of these parameters, under realistic experimental conditions, is compared on a simplified, albeit quantitative way, with that expected from other surface and fluorescence estimators.

Calibration and monitoring of water Cherenkov detectors with stopping and crossing muons

Abstract The Auger Observatory water Cherenkov detectors (WCD) will require that the initial calibration and subsequent monitoring of each of the WCDs be done in a remote way. We present a method to perform these tasks based on the detection of muons decaying inside the detectors and the application of adequate selection cuts. This technique may be complemented with another based on muons crossing the WCDs. Samples of decaying and crossing muon events were obtained with a WCD prototype to demonstrate the viability of the techniques. Three clear peaks of PMT charge distributions were identified. All of them are useful for calibration and monitoring of WCDs: one for stopping muons, one for decay electrons and one for crossing muons. The mean value of the peak found in the decay-electron charge distribution is 0.18 times the corresponding value for vertically crossing muons; likewise, the mean value of the peak in the charge distribution of crossing muons (excluding corner clipping muons) is 6.1 times the value for decay electrons in a tank of our dimensions; finally, the mean value of the peak in the charge distribution of stopping muons is 0.55 times the value for decay electrons. The techniques described can be applied equally well to unsegmented or segmented Auger tanks as each of the three PMTs of an Auger WCD can be self-triggered independently. The experimental data are well reproduced by numerical simulations.

Recent results on the operation of a Cherenkov detector prototype for the Pierre Auger observatory

A full-sized water Cherenkov detector (WCD) prototype (cylinder 3.57 m diameter filled with purified water up to a height of 1.2 m) was used to obtain experimental results that validate the concept of remote calibration and monitoring of WCDs based on the use of the natural flux of cosmic ray muons. Two types of events can be used to monitor and to calibrate each of the WCDs: through-going muons (i.e., isolated muons) and decay electrons from muons stopped inside each detector. The different triggers that will be used to obtain these events and the on-line calibration and monitoring histograms are discussed along with the way these data can be used to diagnose component failures of any of the surface stations of the Auger Observatory.

Stability and calibration of a water Čerenkov detector prototype

We present results of studies made with a reduced-scale water Cerenkov detector (WCD) prototype for the Pierre Auger Observatory . This detector is made of high-density polyethylene and was operated continuously for four months. We studied time variations in the amplitude and shape of Cerenkov pulses due to cosmic ray muons and studied the correlation of these parameters with the bacterial population of the water. We also developed and tested a new technique to calibrate and monitor WCDs remotely, based on muons stopping and decaying inside the tank. We conclude that high-density polyethylene tanks fulfill the requirements for use in the water Cerenkov detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory .