The MIDAS telescope for microwave detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays

TL;DR

The MIDAS telescope is a novel microwave detection system for ultra-high energy cosmic rays, aiming to significantly increase detector duty cycle compared to traditional ultraviolet fluorescence methods.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design and successful initial deployment of the MIDAS telescope, a new microwave detection technique for cosmic ray air showers.

Findings

Successful validation of the telescope design

Demonstrated potential for increased detector duty cycle

First data acquisition at the University of Chicago

Abstract

We present the design, implementation and data taking performance of the MIcrowave Detection of Air Showers (MIDAS) experiment, a large field of view imaging telescope designed to detect microwave radiation from extensive air showers induced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays. This novel technique may bring a tenfold increase in detector duty cycle when compared to the standard fluorescence technique based on detection of ultraviolet photons. The MIDAS telescope consists of a 4.5 m diameter dish with a 53-pixel receiver camera, instrumented with feed horns operating in the commercial extended C-Band (3.4 -- 4.2 GHz). A self-trigger capability is implemented in the digital electronics. The main objectives of this first prototype of the MIDAS telescope - to validate the telescope design, and to demonstrate a large detector duty cycle - were successfully accomplished in a dedicated data taking run at the University of Chicago campus prior to installation at the Pierre Auger Observatory.