The depth of maximum shower development and its fluctuations: cosmic ray mass composition at E_0 >= 10^17 eV
arXiv:1010.1185 · doi:10.5194/astra-7-251-2011
Abstract
We present new data on Cherenkov light observations obtained during the period 1994-2009, after a modernization of the Yakutsk EAS array. A complex analysis of $\xmax$ and its fluctuations $σ(\xmax)$ was performed over a wide energy range. With the new data, according to QGSJet II model, an estimation was made of the cosmic ray mass composition for $\E \sim 10^{17} - 3 \times 10^{19}$ eV. The result points towards a mixed composition with a large portion of heavy nuclei at $\E \sim 10^{17}$ eV and the dominance of light nuclei at $\E \sim 10^{19}$ eV. The analysis of $σ(\xmax)$ energy dependence for the same energies qualitatively confirms this result. The shape of the $\xmax$ distribution at fixed energy eV is analysed to make more precise conclusions on cosmic ray mass composition.
Contributed paper to the XVI International Symposium on Very High Energy Cosmic Ray Interactions ISVHECRI 2010, Batavia, IL, USA (28 June - 2 July 2010). 4 pages, 5 figures
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