The experiment KASCADE observes simultaneously the electron–photon, muon, and hadron components of high-energy extensive air showers (EAS). The analysis of EAS observables for an estimate of energy ...and mass of the primary particle invokes extensive Monte Carlo simulations of the EAS development for preparing reference patterns. The present studies utilize the air shower simulation code
corsika with the hadronic interaction models VENUS, QGSJet and Sibyll, including simulations of the detector response and efficiency. By applying non-parametric techniques the measured data have been analyzed in an event-by-event mode and the mass and energy of the EAS inducing particles are reconstructed. Special emphasis is given to methodical limitations and the dependence of the results on the hadronic interaction model used. The results obtained from KASCADE data reproduce the knee in the primary spectrum, but reveal a strong model dependence. Owing to the systematic uncertainties introduced by the hadronic interaction models no strong change of chemical composition can be claimed in the energy range around the knee.
The muon detection facilities of the Central Detector of the cosmic ray experiment KASCADE(-Grande) have been extended by a system of limited streamer tube (LST) detectors, recently brought into ...operation. This detector system improves the efficiency and the multiplicity resolution of the high-energy muon detection by the setup of large-area position sensitive wire proportional chambers (MWPC) of the Central Detector, currently used in extensive air showers (EAS) investigations of KASCADE. The present work describes the technical layout and operation of the LST system, the methods and procedures for studying the characteristics and performance of this detector component, and the reconstruction of basic EAS observables: the total number, the density and the spatial distributions of EAS particles registered with the LST system. Special emphasis is put on the discussion of the uncertainties. Average number of hits as well as muon number (for Eμ>2.4GeV) and density spectra are presented for illustrating the operation of the LST. The information about the spatial pattern is parameterized in terms of fractal moments. The information content of the EAS observables of the LST system is demonstrated using Monte Carlo simulations with the program CORSIKA.
A detector system for directional and time correlation measurements of multiple cosmic muons has been set up within the extensive air shower experiment KASCADE. The system consists of two layers (129
...m
2 area each) of position-sensitive multiwire proportional chambers (MWPC) triggered by a layer of segmented plastic scintillation counters placed upon an iron/concrete shielding above the MWPCs. Operation conditions and performance of the MWPCs have been studied by means of a prototype arrangement consisting of a stack of four detectors and two trigger layers. Results of the detailed prototype studies are presented and discussed. In particular, it has been found that for the present purposes an operation with a commonly used argon–methane gas mixture instead of previously used argon–isobutane leads to an excellent performance. The chambers are integrated into the KASCADE experiment as described and are in continuous operation since 1996. Some typical measurements with the full detector assembly are used to illustrate which features of extensive air showers can be studied.
The cosmic-ray experiment KASCADE Antoni, T; Apel, W.D; Badea, F ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
11/2003, Letnik:
513, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
KASCADE has been designed to measure air showers of primary cosmic-ray energies in the PeV region and to investigate the
knee phenomenon in the all-particle energy spectrum. Several observations are ...measured simultaneously for each event by different detector systems. The experiment started to take data in 1996 and has been completed and extended since then. The individual detector systems and their performances are described. Also, the experience in long-term operation of the experiment and the interplay between different components is outlined.
Frequency distributions of local muon densities in high-energy extensive air showers (EAS) are presented as signature of the primary cosmic ray energy spectrum in the knee region. Together with the ...gross shower variables like shower core position, angle of incidence, and the shower sizes, the KASCADE experiment is able to measure local muon densities for two different muon energy thresholds. The spectra have been reconstructed for various core distances, as well as for particular subsamples, classified on the basis of the shower size ratio
N
μ/
N
e. The measured density spectra of the total sample exhibit clear kinks reflecting the knee of the primary energy spectrum. While relatively sharp changes of the slopes are observed in the spectrum of EAS with small values of the shower size ratio, no such feature is detected at EAS of large
N
μ/
N
e ratio in the energy range of 1–10 PeV. Comparing the spectra for various thresholds and core distances with detailed Monte Carlo simulations the validity of EAS simulations is discussed.
A new extensive air shower (EAS) experiment has been installed at the laboratory site of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The main aim of the KASCADE 1 project is the determination of the chemical ...composition in the energy range around and above the knee of the primary cosmic ray spectrum. The main advantage of the new installation is the simultaneous measurement of a large number of observables for each individual event. This is achieved by the combination of various advanced detection techniques for the electromagnetic, the muonic, and the hadronic component of the extensive air showers. Data taking with a large part of the experiment has started at the end of 1995. The estimated accuracy of air shower data is discussed for the various detector components of KASCADE and first very preliminary results are presented.
AbstractKASCADE (KArlsruhe Shower Core and Array DEtector) is determining flux spectra for different primary mass groups to disentangle the knee feature of the primary cosmic-ray energy spectrum. The ...energy spectra of the light element groups result in a knee-like bending and a steepening above the knee. The topology of the individual knee positions suggests a rigidity dependence. To proof the rigidity dependence the KASCADE array is now extended by a factor 10 in area. The major goal of KASCADE-Grande is the observation of the ’iron-knee’ in the cosmic-ray spectrum at around 100 PeV which is expected following the KASCADE observations. PACS: 98.70.Sa Cosmic rays
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