Overview of radio detection of cosmic ray air showers in the MHz range, and prospects for a large scale experiment

Abstract

Since its revival in the last decade, radio detection of cosmic ray air showers has made tremendous progress. Today, several experiments are routinely detecting radio signals associated with air showers. Large cosmic ray observatories such as the Pierre Auger Observatory are also pursuing radio detection activities. As an introduction, in this article we will summarize the main results from the first generation of radio detection experiments: LOPES and CODALEMA. Then, we will show which questions concerning the radio emission mechanisms can be answered from larger-scale experiments like the Auger Engineering Radio Array (AERA), which is a 20 km2 antenna array under construction close to other enhancement devices at the Pierre Auger Observatory. © 2010 Author(s).