The Central Laser Facility at the Pierre Auger Observatory

Abstract

The Central Laser Facility is located near the middle of the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. It features a UV laser and optics that direct a beam of calibrated pulsed light into the sky. Light scattered from this beam produces tracks in the Auger optical detectors which normally record nitrogen uorescence tracks from cosmic ray air showers. The Central Laser Facility provides a test beam to investigate properties of the atmosphere and the uorescence detectors. The laser can send light via optical ber simultaneously to the nearest surface detector tank for hybrid timing analyses. We describe the facility and show some examples of its many uses.