Atomspheric nitrogen flourescence yield
Abstract
Several existing and planned experiments estimate the energies of ultra-high energy cosmic rays from air showers using the atmospheric fluorescence from these showers. Accurate knowledge of the conversion from atmospheric fluorescence to energy loss by ionizing particles in the atmosphere is key to this technique. In this paper we discuss a small balloon-borne instrument to make the first in situ measurements of the atmospheric fluorescence yield versus altitude. The instrument can also be used in the lab to investigate the dependence of the fluorescence yield in air on temperature, pressure and the concentrations of H20 and other gases that present in the atmosphere. The results can be used to improve the accuracy of cosmic ray energy measurements and explore environmental effects for existing ground-based experiments and future space-based experiments.
- Publication:
-
International Cosmic Ray Conference
- Pub Date:
- 2001
- Bibcode:
- 2001ICRC....2..679A