Macroscopic Model of Geomagnetic-Radiation from Air Showers

TL;DR

This paper presents a macroscopic model explaining how ultra-high energy cosmic ray air showers produce radio pulses via geomagnetic effects, linking shower properties to radio signal features.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, macroscopic framework that connects air shower characteristics with the observed radio pulse structure, enhancing understanding of geomagnetic radiation mechanisms.

Findings

Radio pulse structure reflects key shower length scales

Model provides direct insight into shower-radio signal relation

Enhances interpretation of cosmic ray air shower observations

Abstract

We have developed a macroscopic description of coherent electro-magnetic radiation from air showers initiated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays in the presence of the geo-magnetic field. This description offers a simple and direct insight in the relation between the properties of the air shower and the time-structure of the radio pulse. As we show the structure of the pulse is a direct reflection of the important length scales in the shower.