Published 2021 | Version v1
Journal article

The energy spectrum of cosmic rays beyond the turn-down around 1017 eV as measured with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

  • 1. Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas – LIP and Instituto Superior Técnico-IST, Universidade de Lisboa-UL, Lisbon (Portugal)
  • 2. Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino (INAF), Turin (Italy)
  • 3. INFN, Sezione di Torino, Turin (Italy)
  • 4. University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA (Australia)

Description

We present a measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum above 100 PeV using the part of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory that has a spacing of 750 m. An inflection of the spectrum is observed, confirming the presence of the so-called second-knee feature. The spectrum is then combined with that of the 1500 m array to produce a single measurement of the flux, linking this spectral feature with the three additional breaks at the highest energies. The combined spectrum, with an energy scale set calorimetrically via fluorescence telescopes and using a single detector type, results in the most statistically and systematically precise measurement of spectral breaks yet obtained. These measurements are critical for furthering our understanding of the highest energy cosmic rays.

Availability note (English)

Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1140/epjc/s10052-021-09700-w

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
European Physical Journal. C, Particles and Fields (Online)
Journal Volume
81
Journal Issue
11
Journal Page Range
vp.
ISSN
1434-6052
CODEN
EPCFFB

INIS

Country of Publication
Germany
Country of Input or Organization
Germany
INIS RN
53020397
Subject category
S79: ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY;
Descriptors DEI
COSMIC RADIATION; ENERGY SPECTRA; FLUORESCENCE; PEV RANGE; TELESCOPES
Descriptors DEC
EMISSION; ENERGY RANGE; IONIZING RADIATIONS; LUMINESCENCE; PHOTON EMISSION; RADIATIONS; SPECTRA

Optional Information

Notes
AID: 966
Collaborations
Pierre Auger Collaboration