Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory: a global cosmic ray detection framework

TL;DR

CREDO aims to detect and analyze extended cosmic ray phenomena called super-preshowers using a global network of existing and new detectors, enhancing understanding of high-energy astrophysics and particle physics.

Contribution

This paper introduces a novel global detection framework that combines various existing detectors to identify super-preshower events, an unexplored area in cosmic ray research.

Findings

Proposes a new trigger algorithm for detecting spatially isolated detector clusters.

Demonstrates the feasibility of using existing infrastructure for global cosmic ray detection.

Highlights potential to uncover new physics through super-preshower observation.

Abstract

The main objective of the Cosmic-Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is the detection and analysis of extended cosmic ray phenomena, so-called super-preshowers (SPS), using existing as well as new infrastructure (cosmic-ray observatories, educational detectors, single detectors etc.). The search for ensembles of cosmic ray events initiated by SPS is yet an untouched ground, in contrast to the current state-of-the-art analysis, which is focused on the detection of single cosmic ray events. Theoretical explanation of SPS could be given either within classical (e.g., photon-photon interaction) or exotic (e.g., Super Heavy Dark Matter decay or annihilation) scenarios, thus detection of SPS would provide a better understanding of particle physics, high energy astrophysics and cosmology. The ensembles of cosmic rays can be classified based on the spatial and temporal extent of particles constituting the ensemble. Some classes of SPS are predicted to have huge spatial distribution, a unique signature detectable only with a facility of the global size. Since development and commissioning of a completely new facility with such requirements is economically unwarranted and time-consuming, the global analysis goals are achievable when all types of existing detectors are merged into a worldwide network. The idea to use the instruments in operation is based on a novel trigger algorithm: in parallel to looking for neighbour surface detectors receiving the signal simultaneously, one should also look for spatially isolated stations clustered in a small time window.