The Fluorescence Camera of the POEMMA-Balloon with Radio (PBR): Design and Scientific goals

TL;DR

The PBR mission aims to detect ultra-high energy cosmic ray fluorescence from a balloon platform, validating space-based detection methods and searching for dark matter signatures with innovative hybrid cameras.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid fluorescence and Cherenkov camera system on a balloon platform for multi-messenger astrophysics and dark matter searches.

Findings

First-time observation of fluorescence from sub-orbital altitudes

Validation of space-based cosmic ray detection strategies

Potential detection of macroscopic dark matter signatures

Abstract

The POEMMA-Balloon with Radio (PBR) is a proposed payload to fly on a NASA Super Pressure Balloon (SPB). It will act as a pathfinder of the Probe Of Extreme Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (POEMMA) detector. PBR will consist of an innovative hybrid focal surface featuring a Fluorescence Camera (FC, based on Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tubes [MAPMTs], 1.05 $\mu$s time resolution) and a Cherenkov Camera (based on SiPMs, 10 ns time resolution), both mounted on the same tiltable frame that can point from nadir up to 13$^\circ$ above the horizon. The FC's main scientific goal is to observe, for the first time, the fluorescence emission of Extensive Air Showers produced by Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays from sub-orbital altitudes. This measurement will validate the detection strategy for future space-based missions, such as POEMMA. As a secondary goal, the FC will perform a search for macroscopic dark matter through slowly evolving showers that will leave a signal similar to (but distinct from) a meteor. PBR targets a launch in 2027 as a payload of an ultra-long duration balloon flight with a duration of up to 100 days.