Circular polarization of radio emission from air showers in thunderstorm conditions

• Main Authors: Trinh T.N.G., Scholten O., Bonardi A., Buitink S., Corstanje A., Ebert U., Enriquez J. E., Falcke H., Hörandel J.R., Mitra P., Mulrey K., Nelles A., Thoudam S., Rachen J.P., Rossetto L., Rutjes C., Schellart P., ter Veen S., Winchen T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 2017-01-01
• Series: EPJ Web of Conferences
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201713503002

We present measured radio emission from cosmic-ray-induced air showers under thunderstorm conditions. We observe for these events large differences in intensity, linear polarization and circular polarization from the events measured under fair-weather conditions. This can be explained by the effects of atmospheric electric fields in thunderclouds. Therefore, measuring the intensity and polarization of radio emission from cosmic ray extensive air showers during thunderstorm conditions provides a new tool to probe the atmospheric electric fields present in thunderclouds.