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Determining the Mass Composition of Ultra-high Energy Cosmic Rays Using Air Shower Universality

Bridgeman, Ariel

Abstract (englisch):

Ultra-high energy cosmic rays are accelerated via the most energetic and powerful processes
in the Universe. For over a hundred years, the study of these particles has elicited great
interest. While our knowledge and theoretical models have vastly improved over the last
century, the exact sites at which and physical mechanisms by which the acceleration of these
charged nuclei occurs remain elusive. In order to elucidate their origins, it is critical for us
to better understand the energy spectrum and mass composition of cosmic rays. By doing
so, we can come to more fully understand the astrophysical conditions needed to accelerate
them and the interactions by which they are affected by during their propagation to Earth.
Human-made accelerators and low-energy cosmic ray experiments provide insight into
proposed acceleration and propagation models. Nevertheless, the most energetic ultra-high
energy cosmic rays have a flux of around 1 particle per km 2 per century at an energy of
around 10 20 eV. This energy is roughly a factor of one hundred more energetic than the
center-of-mass energies attainable at the Large Hadron Collider (and over a factor of a
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Volltext §
DOI: 10.5445/IR/1000085504
Cover der Publikation
Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT Institut für Experimentelle Teilchenphysik (ETP)
Institut für Kernphysik (IKP)
Publikationstyp Hochschulschrift
Publikationsjahr 2018
Sprache Englisch
Identifikator urn:nbn:de:swb:90-855044
KITopen-ID: 1000085504
HGF-Programm 51.03.03 (POF III, LK 01) Kosmische Strahlung Auger
Verlag Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Umfang X, 217 S.
Art der Arbeit Dissertation
Fakultät Fakultät für Physik (PHYSIK)
Institut Institut für Experimentelle Teilchenphysik (ETP)
Prüfungsdatum 25.05.2018
Schlagwörter cosmic rays, mass composition, Pierre Auger Observatory, Auger, ultra-high energy cosmic rays
Referent/Betreuer Blümer, J.
KIT – Die Forschungsuniversität in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
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