LOPES (telescope)

LOPES (LOw Frequency array for astrophysical and astroparticle Physics) is a radio telescope array located at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Germany. It is designed to detect radio emission from extensive air showers generated by cosmic rays in the Earth's atmosphere.

LOPES is specifically sensitive to radio frequencies in the range of 40-80 MHz. This range is optimal for observing the coherent geosynchrotron emission produced as charged particles within the air shower are deflected by the Earth's magnetic field.

The LOPES array consists of dipole antennas distributed over an area of several hundred square meters. These antennas are deployed in close proximity to the KASCADE-Grande air shower experiment, allowing for coincident observations of the same air showers using both radio and particle detection techniques. This multi-messenger approach allows scientists to cross-calibrate the different detection methods and to gain a more complete understanding of the properties of the cosmic rays.

LOPES has played a significant role in establishing the field of radio detection of cosmic rays and has provided important constraints on the mechanisms responsible for the radio emission. Its data have contributed to the determination of the energy spectrum and composition of cosmic rays, as well as to the study of atmospheric phenomena. The LOPES experiment has concluded its operation, but its data continues to be analyzed and used in conjunction with data from other radio telescopes around the world to further our understanding of cosmic rays.