Search for Gamma Ray Bursts using the single particle technique at the Pierre Auger Observatory

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of the Pierre Auger Observatory's Cherenkov detectors to detect gamma-ray bursts by monitoring increases in background particle rates, including searches for coincident events with satellite observations.

Contribution

It introduces the application of the single particle technique at the Pierre Auger Observatory for gamma-ray burst detection, combining ground-based and satellite data analysis.

Findings

No significant gamma-ray burst signals detected.

Established upper limits on high-energy emission from GRBs.

Demonstrated the feasibility of using large water Cherenkov detector arrays for GRB searches.

Abstract

The Pierre Auger Observatory, with an array of currently more than 1200 Cherenkov detectors filled with 12 m$^3$ of water, can detect the putative high energy emission of a GRB (photons down to a few hundreds of MeV) by the so-called ``single particle technique'', through a coherent increase in the average background particle rates over the whole array, due to secondary particles in the photon-induced showers. We present a search for bursts on data collected since September 2005, as well as a search for excesses in coincidence with bursts observed by satellites.