SPHERE-3: tackling the problem of primary cosmic ray mass composition with a new approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces SPHERE-3, a new Cherenkov telescope designed to determine the primary cosmic ray mass composition at ultra-high energies using a novel event-by-event technique based on Cherenkov light measurements.

Contribution

The paper presents a new Cherenkov telescope design and a novel method for primary mass assignment in cosmic ray studies at ultra-high energies.

Findings

Sensitivity of Cherenkov light shapes to primary mass demonstrated

Telescope measures reflected and direct Cherenkov light

Potential for improved cosmic ray composition analysis

Abstract

A new Cherenkov telescope of the SPHERE type is under development. Its main goal is to promote the solution of the problem of the primary cosmic ray mass composition at ultra high energies (1--100 PeV) using a newly developed technique of the primary mass assignment to EAS event on event-by-event basis. The telescope will carry out measurements of both the Cherenkov light reflected from the snow surface as well as the direct one. Sensitivity of the direct Cherenkov images' shapes to the primary mass is demonstrated.