Simulation of fluorescence radiation for Cherenkov observatories

Abstract

Several techniques inside Astroparticle Physics use Extensive Air Showers (EAS) as a proxy to study very energetic particles that reach Earth. EAS themselves are detected through different means, among them the measurement of Cherenkov or fluorescence radiation produced in them. A detailed simulation of EAS is mandatory to develop, test and use these techniques. In this respect the most popular simulation program is the CORSIKA code. This code includes the Cherenkov emission but not the fluorescence one. In a previous work, we introduced the fluorescence emission in CORSIKA and showed first quantitative results on the fluorescence contamination in Cherenkov telescopes, either imaging or non-imaging ones. In this paper, we report on progress made in this work and discuss possible future applications in several currently operating Cherenkov observatories as well as in the design of future innovative Astroparticle Physics observatories.