Helmholtz Russia Joint Research Group

Measurements of Gamma Rays and Charged Cosmic Rays
in the Tunka-Valley in Siberia by Innovative New Technologies

This Helmholtz Russian Joint Research Group (HRJRG) envisages the development of innovative detection methods for cosmic rays and gamma rays as well as the deepening of research relations between Russia and Germany in the field of astroparticle physics. The investigation of cosmic-rays is one of the most important research fields in astroparticle physics, the joint field of particle physics (investigation of the highest energies) and astrophysics (investigation of the largest scales in the cosmos). Both, Russia and Germany have a long tradition in astroparticle physics and in particular cosmic-rays. Still today, German and Russian groups are among the key players in this field. Our research group focuses on the development of two detection methods: radio- and air Cherenkov detection. Two projects are pursued:

  • Tunka-Rex, the Tunka Radio Extension. Tunka-Rex accesses ultra-high energy cosmic rays by measuring the radio emission of air showers.

  • HiSCORE-EA, the HiSCORE engineering array, which aims at gamma-ray astronomy above 10 TeV and cosmic ray physics above 100 TeV


  • The HRJRG is a joint effort of several German and Russian institutes:

     
    • Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences
    • Moscow State University
    • Irkutsk State University