The Aachen muon detector prototype. Muon measurement using scintillator tiles with SiPM readout

Muons being produced in air showers of ultra high energy cosmic rays carry important information on their characteristics such as the mass of the primary particle and the first hadronic interactions at the highest energies. In the context of the Pierre Auger Observatory this upgrade would enable an enhanced primary particle identification as well as the verification of shower simulation models. For this purpose, a simple and robust detector design with scintillator tiles and SiPM readout is being developed, the Aachen Muon Detector (AMD). AMD could be situated below the SD tanks which would provide shielding from the electromagnetic part of the shower. In total, 64 scintillating tiles form the sensitive area of the detector. Wavelength-shifting fibres are inserted into the tiles in sigma-shape to collect the light and are coupled to optical fibres to guide it onto the photosensitive SiPMs. By reading out each SiPM individually, an excellent and low-background performance is expected. Currently the AMD prototype is being built in Aachen and in parallel SiPM and electronics characteristics are being evaluated.