Speaker
Description
The Pierre Auger Observatory is currently the leading facility for the study of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, providing unmatched exposure to photons with energies above $5\times10^{16}$ eV. Over the past two decades of operation, extensive searches for high-energy photons have been carried out using the hybrid detection system of the Observatory.
These studies have established the most stringent upper limits to date on the flux of high-energy photons across more than three orders of magnitude in energy, placing significant constraints on the physics of astrophysical sources and on theoretical models for the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, including scenarios beyond the Standard Model.
In this contribution, we will review the current techniques used to identify photon-induced air showers in Auger data and present the latest results on the diffuse photon flux. In addition, the prospects for future photon searches will be discussed in light of the AugerPrime upgrade, which is expected to significantly enhance the sensitivity to photons at the highest energies.