A BACKGROUND-FREE DETECTOR FOR COSMIC-RAY SHOWERS IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Mariotti, Mose'; Menzione, A.; Angelini, F.; Bedeschi, F.; Bellazzini, R.; Bertolucci, E.; Chiarelli, G.; Massai, M. M.; Smith, D. A.; Stefanini, A.; F. ZETTI PISA U.,; Anassontzis, E.; Resvanis, L.; Voulgaris, G.; T. YPSILANTIS ATHENS U.,; TRIPP LBL, R.; Berkeley,; S. TORRES ANDES U.,; Bogota,; Biral, A. R. P.; Chinellato, J. A.; A. TURTELLI CAMPINAS STATE U.,; Cence, R. J.; Hayes, C.; Hudson, J.; Kelley, L.; Learned, J. G.; Paluselli, D.; V. J. STENGER HAWAII U.,; B. BARTOLI NAPLES U.,; Sinnis, G.; D. WEEKES NEW MEXICO U.,; Cresti, M.; Peruzzo, L.; Pesci, A.; Saggion, Antonio; G. SARTORI PADUA U.,; M. LUKSYS PARAIBA U.,; Chuang, K. W.; Kerrick, A.; O'Neil, T. J.; Tumer, T.; ZYCH UC, A. D.; Riverside,; Bicchi, P.; Meucci, M.; Moi, L.; Paoletti, R.; Rigato, M.; A. SCRIBANO SIENA U.,; Budinich, M.; Liello, F.; E. MILOTTI TRIESTE U.,

doi:10.1016/0168-9002(92)90714-F

A detector of new design is planned to detect Cherenkov light in high energy cosmic ray showers. It is based on the detection of the middle-UV radiation by TMAE photosensitive chambers, giving detailed imaging of the shower, combined with the beneficial background screening of the ozone in the upper atmosphere . This allows us to greatly improve the duty-cycle, the sensitivity and the range of observations with respect to traditional Cherenkov experiments in the visible. A further advantage is the achievable big angular aperture which makes it possible to search for new sources with an efficiency similar to extensive air shower experiments. Details of the technique and achievable physics goals are presented.