Detection of GRB signals with Fluorescence Detectors

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential of fluorescence detectors to identify gamma-ray burst signals by detecting UV fluorescence caused by high-energy photons, assessing feasibility based on current observations and detector capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of using fluorescence detectors for GRB detection and analyzes their potential effectiveness in capturing UV fluorescence signals from gamma-ray bursts.

Findings

Fluorescence flux is dominated by photons from 0.1 to 100 MeV.

Detection depends on the flux exceeding a threshold set by sky brightness.

Feasibility is evaluated using current GRB data and existing detectors.

Abstract

Gamma Ray Bursts are being searched in many ground based experiments detecting the high energy component (GeV $\div$ TeV energy range) of the photon bursts. In this paper, Fluorescence Detectors are considered as possible candidate devices for these searches. It is shown that the GRB photons induce fluorescence emission of UV photons on a wide range of their spectrum. The induced fluorescence flux is dominated by GRB photons from 0.1 to about 100 MeV and, once the extinction through the atmosphere is taken into account, it is distributed over a wide angular region. This flux can be detected through a monitor of the diffuse photon flux, provided that its maximum value exceeds a threshold value, that is primarily determined by the sky brightness above the detector. The feasibility of this search and the expected rates are discussed on the basis of the current GRB observations and the existing fluorescence detectors.