Lateral distribution function of high energy muons in EAS around the knee

TL;DR

This study measures the lateral distribution of high-energy muons in extensive air showers around the cosmic ray knee, comparing experimental data from Baksan with Monte Carlo simulations to understand cosmic ray composition.

Contribution

It provides new measurements of muon lateral distribution functions at high energies around the knee, using combined underground and surface detectors, and compares results with simulations.

Findings

Knee in EAS size spectrum at log Ne ≈ 6.3

Measured muon lateral distribution functions agree with Monte Carlo simulations

Enhanced understanding of high-energy muon behavior in EAS around the knee

Abstract

The lateral distribution function of high energy muons in EAS around the knee ($5.9\le \lg N_e \le 7.1$) has been measured for near vertical showers ($\theta \le 20^{\circ}$, effective muon threshold energy is 230 GeV). The measurements have been performed at the Baksan Underground Scintillation Telescope (BUST). The electromagnetic component is measured by the "Andyrchy" EAS array, located above the BUST. The knee in EAS size spectrum is found to be at $\lg N_e \approx 6.3$. The experimental results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations.