Simulation of proton-induced and iron-induced extensive air showers at extreme energies

Abstract

The development of extensive air showers at extreme energies is studied using a simulation model much simpler and cruder, but also more transparent and flexible, than existing sophisticated codes. Evidence for its satisfactory performance is presented. As an illustration, shower elongation rates are evaluated in the $10^{18}$ to $10^{20}$ eV region and compared with recently published data. Lateral distribution functions of both muons and electrons/photons are also briefly discussed. Reliable results are obtained in the comparison between proton-induced and iron-induced showers.

22 pages, Preprint submitted to Astroparticle Physics

References in corpus (5)

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• Hadronic Multiparticle Production at Ultra-High Energies and Extensive Air Showers
• On the ultra-high energy cosmic ray horizon
• The Pierre Auger Observatory II: Studies of Cosmic Ray Composition and Hadronic Interaction models
• The Pierre Auger Observatory III: Other Astrophysical Observations