Speaker
Description
The Probing Extreme PeVatron Sources (PEPS) project aims to detect gamma-ray sources in the energy range between 1-50 PeV, opening a window onto the highest-energy electromagnetic radiation from our Galaxy. PEPS will consist of an array of double-layered water-Cherenkov particle detectors placed over an area of 10 km² with a first stage of 2 km² to be built in the next years. It will be located at the Pierre Auger Observatory site, leveraging the existing infrastructure and decommissioned equipment. The location provides an excellent view of the Galactic Plane and of the Galactic Center. The performances of PEPS with respect to point sources, diffuse gamma-ray flux and potential contributions to cosmic-ray physics will be discussed. The first steps in the hardware development, including the characterization of the Hamamatsu's R5912 8-inch photomultiplier (PMT), the communication system based on a custom-made WiFi transmission, and the impact of the detector geometry on particle detection efficiency will also be presented. Finally, the near future development plan, including the deployment of a small array of detectors, will be discussed.