On the relation between the proton-air cross section and fluctuations of the shower longitudinal profile
Abstract
The current status and prospects of deducing the proton-air cross section from fluorescence telescope measurements of extensive air showers is discussed. As it is not possible to observe the point of first interaction, X_1, directly, other observables closely linked to X_1 must be inferred from the measured longitudinal profiles. This introduces a dependence on the models used to describe the shower development. We will discuss the sensitivity of the fluctuations of the shower profile on sigma_p-air. Systematic uncertainties arising from the model dependence, parameters of the reconstruction method itself and a possible non-proton contamination of the selected shower sample will be presented.
- Publication:
-
International Cosmic Ray Conference
- Pub Date:
- 2008
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.0706.2086
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0706.2086
- Bibcode:
- 2008ICRC....4..679U
- Keywords:
-
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Contribution to the 30th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Merida, Mexico, July 2007