Calibration of the LOFAR low-band antennas using the Galaxy and a model of the signal chain

Mulrey K, Bonardi A, Buitink S, Corstanje A, Falcke H, Hare BM, Horandel JR, Huege T, Mitra P, Nelles A, Rachen JP, Rossetto L, Schellart P, Scholtene O, Ter Veen S, Thoudam S, Trinh TNG, Winchen T (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Astroparticle Physics Elsevier

Book Volume: 111

Pages Range: 1-11

DOI: 10.1016/j.astropartphys.2019.03.004

Abstract

The LOw-Frequency ARray (LOFAR) is used to make precise measurements of radio emission from extensive air showers, yielding information about the primary cosmic ray. Interpreting the measured data requires an absolute and frequency-dependent calibration of the LOFAR system response. This is particularly important for spectral analyses, because the shape of the detected signal holds information about the shower development. We revisit the calibration of the LOFAR antennas in the range of 30–80 MHz. Using the Galactic emission and a detailed model of the LOFAR signal chain, we find an improved calibration that provides an absolute energy scale and allows for the study of frequency dependent features in measured signals. With the new calibration, systematic uncertainties of 13% are reached, and comparisons of the spectral shape of calibrated data with simulations show promising agreement.

Authors with CRIS profile

Anna Nelles Professur für Experimentelle Astroteilchenphysik, insbesondere Radionachweis von Neutrinos

Involved external institutions

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) BE Belgium (BE) Radboud University Nijmegen NL Netherlands (NL) University of Groningen / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Mulrey, K., Bonardi, A., Buitink, S., Corstanje, A., Falcke, H., Hare, B.M.,... Winchen, T. (2019). Calibration of the LOFAR low-band antennas using the Galaxy and a model of the signal chain. Astroparticle Physics, 111, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2019.03.004

MLA:

Mulrey, K., et al. "Calibration of the LOFAR low-band antennas using the Galaxy and a model of the signal chain." Astroparticle Physics 111 (2019): 1-11.

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