Home Publications Research Grants Inventions & Patents Awards Additional Research Activities Faculties & Institutions Research Areas

Measurement of the circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers confirms emission mechanisms

Scholten O, Trinh TN, Bonardi A, Buitink S, Correa P, Corstanje A, Dorosti Hasankiadeh Q, Falcke H, Hörandel JR, Mitra P, Mulrey K, Nelles A, Rachen JP, Rossetto L, Schellart P, Thoudam S, Ter Veen S, De Vries KD, Winchen T (2016)

---

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2016

Journal

Book Volume: 94

Article Number: 103010

Journal Issue: 10

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.94.103010

Abstract

We report here on a novel analysis of the complete set of four Stokes parameters that uniquely determine the linear and/or circular polarization of the radio signal for an extensive air shower. The observed dependency of the circular polarization on azimuth angle and distance to the shower axis is a clear signature of the interfering contributions from two different radiation mechanisms, a main contribution due to a geomagnetically-induced transverse current and a secondary component due to the build-up of excess charge at the shower front. The data, as measured at LOFAR, agree very well with a calculation from first principles. This opens the possibility to use circular polarization as an investigative tool in the analysis of air shower structure, such as for the determination of atmospheric electric fields.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

How to cite

APA:

Scholten, O., Trinh, T.N., Bonardi, A., Buitink, S., Correa, P., Corstanje, A.,... Winchen, T. (2016). Measurement of the circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers confirms emission mechanisms. Physical Review D, 94(10). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.94.103010

MLA:

Scholten, O., et al. "Measurement of the circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers confirms emission mechanisms." Physical Review D 94.10 (2016).

BibTeX: Download