Search for gamma-ray bursts at photon energies e ≥ 10 GeV and e ≥ 80 TeV

M. Aglietta, B. Alessandro, P. Antonioli, F. Arneodo, L. Bergamasco, M. Bertaina, A. Castellina, C. Castagnoli, A. Chiavassa, G. Cini Castagnoli, B. D.Ettorre Piazzoli, G. Di Sciascio, W. Fulgione, P. Galeotti, P. L. Ghia, R. Granella, M. Iacovacci, G. Mannocchi, C. Melagrana, N. Mengotti SilvaC. Morello, G. Navarra, L. Riccati, O. Saavedra, G. C. Trinchero, P. Vallania, S. Vernetto, C. Vigorito

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The EAS-TOP extensive air shower array has been operating since 1992 in the search for gamma-ray bursts at primary energies E1 ≥ 10 GeV and E2 ≥ 80 TeV. The study is performed by searching for short transients in the cosmic-ray intensity in the single particle (E1) and extensive air shower (E2) counting rates at mountain altitude (2005 m above sea level). We discuss the method and the results obtained both in sky survey and in correlation with BATSE events. In both energy ranges, the observed fluctuations in the event rate obtained in the sky survey during ∼800 days of live time are compatible with the statistical fluctuations of the cosmic-ray background. A single candidate of time duration Δt ∼ 2 s and energy fluence F(10 < E < 100 GeV) = 1.7 × 10-4/ (cos θ)10.5 ergs cm-2 (where θ is the unknown zenith angle) has been observed on 1992 July 15 at 13:22:26 UT in the energy range E1 ≥ 10 GeV with significance 10.6 and 20.1 σ in two measurement channels. In the analysis made in correlation with ∼50 events detected by BATSE, no burst candidate was found in time coincidence or in the 2 hr interval around the BATSE detection time. The following ranges of upper limits Fmax to the energy fluence in the time interval Δt90 in which BATSE detected 90% of the counts are obtained: Fmax = 2.3 × 10-5-7.4 × 10-3 ergs cm-2 (10 < E < 100 GeV) Fmax = 1.6 × 10-6-3.3 × 10-5 ergs cm-2 (100 < E < 1000 TeV).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)305-310
Number of pages6
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume469
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996

Keywords

  • Gamma rays: bursts

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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