Advanced functionality for radio analysis in the Offline software framework of the Pierre Auger Observatory

TL;DR

This paper describes the development of an advanced radio analysis framework integrated into the Pierre Auger Observatory's Offline software, enabling sophisticated analysis of radio signals from cosmic ray air showers.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive radio extension to the existing Offline framework, featuring advanced signal processing, vectorial electric field reconstruction, and multi-format data handling.

Findings

High-precision vectorial electric field reconstruction

Implementation of advanced signal processing algorithms

Compatibility with multiple radio data formats

Abstract

The advent of the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA) necessitates the development of a powerful framework for the analysis of radio measurements of cosmic ray air showers. As AERA performs "radio-hybrid" measurements of air shower radio emission in coincidence with the surface particle detectors and fluorescence telescopes of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the radio analysis functionality had to be incorporated in the existing hybrid analysis solutions for fluoresence and surface detector data. This goal has been achieved in a natural way by extending the existing Auger Offline software framework with radio functionality. In this article, we lay out the design, highlights and features of the radio extension implemented in the Auger Offline framework. Its functionality has achieved a high degree of sophistication and offers advanced features such as vectorial reconstruction of the electric field, advanced signal processing algorithms, a transparent and efficient handling of FFTs, a very detailed simulation of detector effects, and the read-in of multiple data formats including data from various radio simulation codes. The source code of this radio functionality can be made available to interested parties on request.