EPJ Web of Conferences (Jun 2013)

Radar reflection off extensive air showers

  • Werner F.,
  • Wilczyński H.,
  • Weber M.,
  • Unger M.,
  • Šmída R.,
  • Schieler H.,
  • Salamida F.,
  • Riegel M.,
  • Roth M.,
  • Rautenberg J.,
  • Pekala J.,
  • Neunteufel P.,
  • Ludwig M.,
  • Mathys S.,
  • Kleifges M.,
  • Krömer O.,
  • Klages H.,
  • Kampert K.-H.,
  • Huege T.,
  • Haungs A.,
  • Engel R.,
  • Chiavassa A.,
  • Blümer J.,
  • Bertaina M.,
  • Baur S.,
  • Stasielak J.,
  • Wochele J.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20135308013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 53
p. 08013

Abstract

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We investigate the possibility of detecting extensive air showers by the radar technique. Considering a bistatic radar system and different shower geometries, we simulate reflection of radio waves off the static plasma produced by the shower in the air. Using the Thomson cross-section for radio wave reflection, we obtain the time evolution of the signal received by the antennas. The frequency upshift of the radar echo and the power received are studied to verify the feasibility of the radar detection technique.