An upper limit to the photon fraction in cosmic rays above 1019 eV from the Pierre Auger Observatory
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Abraham, J., M. Aglietta, C. Aguirre, D. Allard, I. Allekotte, P. Allison, C. Alvarez, et al. “An Upper Limit to the Photon Fraction in Cosmic Rays above 1019 eV from the Pierre Auger Observatory.” Astroparticle Physics 27, no. 2 (March 1, 2007): 155–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.astropartphys.2006.10.004.
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This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
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Abstract
An upper limit of 16% (at 95% c.l.) is derived for the photon fraction in cosmic rays with energies greater than 1019eV, based on observations of the depth of shower maximum performed with the hybrid detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. This is the first such limit on photons obtained by observing the fluorescence light profile of air showers. This upper limit confirms and improves on previous results from the Haverah Park and AGASA surface arrays. Additional data recorded with the Auger surface detectors for a subset of the event sample support the conclusion that a photon origin of the observed events is not favored.