Particle physics with cosmic accelerators

F. Halzen, K. Hikasa, T. Stanev

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We discuss the atmospheric showers initiated by 1104-TeV photons emitted by cosmic accelerators such as Cygnus X-3. The direction and characteristic time structure of the radiation from such sources can be used to tag a beam of known composition (rays) with well-understood interactions (QED) with the target atmosphere. An experiment using a cosmic beam, therefore, overcomes the classic hurdles in interpreting cosmic-ray data. Tagged photon experiments covering a (102103-m)2 area can conceivably achieve the statistics and signal-to-noise ratio to probe the anticipated new structure in particle physics at a scale of (2 GF)-1/20.25 TeV. They would at the same time constitute a new generation of telescopes at the highest energies of the emission spectrum. We also extend our discussion of muons to underground experiments in the corresponding energy region.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2061-2070
Number of pages10
JournalPhysical Review D
Volume34
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

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