Synchrotron Radiation at Radio Frequencies from Cosmic Ray Air Showers

Abstract

We review some of the properties of extensive cosmic ray air showers and describe a simple model of the radio-frequency radiation generated by shower electrons and positrons as they bend in the Earth's magnetic field. We perform simulations by calculating the trajectory and radiation of a few thousand charged shower particles. The results are then transformed to predict the strength and polarization of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the whole shower.

Comments: 18 pages, LaTeX, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Astropart. Phys. Added pancake profiles (fig. 1)