Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum and chemical composition in the 1015-1018 eV energy range
Cosmic ray in the 1015–1018 eV energy range can only be detected with ground based experiments, sampling Extensive Air Showers (EAS) particles. The interest in this energetic interval is related to the search of the knee of the iron component of cosmic ray and to the study of the transition between...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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EDP Sciences
2018-01-01
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| Series: | EPJ Web of Conferences |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201817207001 |
| Summary: | Cosmic ray in the 1015–1018 eV energy range can only be detected with ground based experiments, sampling Extensive Air Showers (EAS) particles. The interest in this energetic interval is related to the search of the knee of the iron component of cosmic ray and to the study of the transition between galactic and extra-galactic primaries. The energy and mass calibration of these arrays can only be performed with complete EAS simulations as no sources are available for an absolute calibration. The systematic error on the energy assignment can be estimated around 30 ± 10%. The all particle spectrum measured in this energy range is more structured than previously thought, showing some faint features: a hardening slightly above 1016 eV and a steepening below 1017 eV. The studies of the primary chemical composition are quickly evolving towards the measurements of the primary spectra of different mass groups: up to now we are able to separate (on a event by event basis) light and heavy primaries. Above the knee a steepening of the heavy primary spectrum and a hardening of the light ones have been detected. |
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| ISSN: | 2100-014X |