Investigating the extensive air shower properties: Tackling the challenges of the next generation cosmic ray observatory with the CODALEMA experiment

Abstract : Our knowledge on ultra-high energy cosmic rays and their underlying sources and acceleration mechanisms is steadily improving thanks to the large observatories nowadays in operation. However the need for a next generation instrument is emerging from their experimental limitations and the scientific questions currently out of reach within a reasonable time line. Within this scope, the main features of the radio detection of extensive air showers are investigated and confronted to these challenging requirements. CODALEMA is the last experiment currently running in Europe dedicated to the cosmic ray detection using the observation of its induced radio electric field. The latest experimental upgrade and the synthesis of its operation features and the upcoming technical developments are presented. The main results of CODALEMA will be presented with special emphasis put on some of the new aspects of the data analysis offered by the CODALEMA3 autonomous station array. Finally, the opportunities provided by the Nancay observatory for efficient R&D activities and especially the upcoming technical developments are listed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.