Radio-frequency component of transient radiation of an extensive air shower

The mechanism of radio emission induced by the transient radiation of oppositely charged particles from an extensive air shower in the geomagnetic field was studied for the first time. For showers with an energy of ∼10²² eV, the electric field strength at a distance of 500 km from the shower axis was found to be 60 μV/mMHz. Such showers attain their maximum at sea level. The spectral intensity of emission is maximum at frequencies of about 1 MHz (at these frequencies, the intensity of atmospheric disturbances is minimum). These specific features of radio emission can be used in experiments for radio detection of high-energy cosmic rays. An experimental setup of such detection is suggested.