Measurement of the near-infrared fluorescence of the air for the detection of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays

We have investigated the fluorescence emission in the near infrared from the air and its main components, nitrogen and oxygen. The gas was excited by a 95 kV electron beam and the fluorescence light detected by an InGaAs photodiode, sensitive down to about 1700 nm. We have recorded the emission spectra by means of a Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer. The light yield was also measured by comparing the near infrared signal with the known ultraviolet fluorescence, detected by a Si photodiode. The possibility of using the near infrared fluorescence of the atmosphere to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is discussed, showing the pros and the cons of this novel method. Keywords Air fluorescence Nitrogen fluorescence Oxygen fluorescence Near-infrared Cosmic-ray detection Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays