Air fluorescence measurements in the spectral range 300–420nm using a 28.5GeV electron beam

Measurements are reported of the yield and spectrum of fluorescence, excited by a 28.5GeV electron beam, in air at a range of pressures of interest to ultra-high energy cosmic ray detectors. The wavelength range was 300–420nm. System calibration has been performed using Rayleigh scattering of a nitrogen laser beam. In atmospheric pressure dry air at 304K the total yield is 20.8±1.6 photons per MeV.