Spati-temporal distribution of cascade particles below the maximum of EAS development with E>=10**17eV

TL;DR

This study analyzes scintillation detector signals from ultra-high-energy cosmic ray showers, revealing diverse temporal structures and anomalous pulse patterns that inform the understanding of cascade particle distribution below the EAS maximum.

Contribution

It provides detailed measurements of particle arrival times and pulse structures at large core distances for E>=10^17 eV, highlighting new pulse shape phenomena and anomalies.

Findings

Particle arrival times range from 40 to 5000 ns at distances >=200m.

Events with multiple peaks and anomalous pulse patterns were observed.

Pulse separation periods of 60-350 ns were identified in some events.

Abstract

Signal from scintillation detectors in showers with energies 10**17-10**20eV has been analyzed. It was determined, that for core distances >=200m the time scale of a particle arrival time at the detector constitutes 40-5000ns and longer. Events with fine structure of the signal have been observed. The pulse consists of several peaks (for vertical showers) and a single pulse (for inclined showers). There are some anomalous events with two pulses wherein such a pulse shape is presented in two, three and more detectors. A period between these pulses makes 60-350ns.