Gamma Ray Bursts are being searched in many ground based experiments
detecting the high energy component (GeV ÷ TeV energy range) of the photon
bursts. In this paper, Fluorescence Detectors are considered as possible
candidate devices for these searches. It is shown that the GRB photons induce
fluorescence emission of UV photons on a wide range of their spectrum. The
induced fluorescence flux is dominated by GRB photons from 0.1 to about 100 MeV
and, once the extinction through the atmosphere is taken into account, it is
distributed over a wide angular region. This flux can be detected through a
monitor of the diffuse photon flux, provided that its maximum value exceeds a
threshold value, that is primarily determined by the sky brightness above the
detector. The feasibility of this search and the expected rates are discussed
on the basis of the current GRB observations and the existing fluorescence
detectors.Comment: 16 pages 9 eps figure