NICHE detector and operations

Abstract

Abstract The Non-Imaging CHErenkov Array (NICHE) is a low energy extension to Telescope Array and TALE using an array of closely spaced (˜ 200m) light collectors covering an area of ˜ 2 square km. It is being deployed in the field of view of TALE and will overlap it in the energy range above 4 PeV. Cosmic ray air showers with energies 1-100 PeV are reconstructed using both the Cherenkov light Lateral Distribution and the Cherenkov time Width Lateral Distribution. These two methods will allow shower energy and X max to be determined. A prototype of the array, called j-NICHE, has been deployed. The performance of detector’s components, current status of the detectors and the observations are presented.