Measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 10 < sup> 18 eV using the Pierre Auger Observatory
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-8-2010
Abstract
We report a measurement of the flux of cosmic rays with unprecedented precision and statistics using the Pierre Auger Observatory. Based on fluorescence observations in coincidence with at least one surface detector we derive a spectrum for energies above 1018 eV. We also update the previously published energy spectrum obtained with the surface detector array. The two spectra are combined addressing the systematic uncertainties and, in particular, the influence of the energy resolution on the spectral shape. The spectrum can be described by a broken power law E- γ with index γ = 3.3 below the ankle which is measured at log10 (Eankle / eV) = 18.6. Above the ankle the spectrum is described by a power law with index 2.6 followed by a flux suppression, above about log10 (E / eV) = 19.5, detected with high statistical significance. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Title
Physics Letters, Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics
Recommended Citation
Abraham, J.,
Abreu, P.,
Aglietta, M.,
Ahn, E.,
Allard, D.,
Allen, J.,
Alvarez-Muñiz, J.,
Ambrosio, M.,
Anchordoqui, L.,
Andringa, S.,
Antičić, T.,
Anzalone, A.,
Aramo, C.,
Arganda, E.,
Arisaka, K.,
Arqueros, F.,
Asorey, H.,
Assis, P.,
Aublin, J.,
Ave, M.,
Avila, G.,
Bäcker, T.,
Badagnani, D.,
Balzer, M.,
Barber, K.,
Barbosa, A.,
Barroso, S.,
Baughman, B.,
Bauleo, P.,
Beatty, J.,
Becker, B.,
&
Becker, K.
(2010).
Measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 10 < sup> 18 eV using the Pierre Auger Observatory.
Physics Letters, Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics,
685(4-5), 239-246.
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2010.02.013
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/6991