Signal Attenuation Curve for Different Surface Detector Arrays

TL;DR

This paper investigates how different surface detector array configurations affect the attenuation curves used in cosmic ray experiments, focusing on sensitivity to primary particle composition and anisotropy.

Contribution

It introduces MC simulations of toy arrays with varied sensitivities to study effects on attenuation curves and their potential to determine cosmic ray composition.

Findings

Attenuation curves vary with array sensitivity and composition assumptions

Simulations show potential for arrays to distinguish primary particle types

Results suggest design considerations for future cosmic ray detectors

Abstract

Modern cosmic ray experiments consisting of large array of particle detectors measure the signals of electromagnetic or muon components or their combination. The correction for an amount of atmosphere passed is applied to the surface detector signal before its conversion to the shower energy. Either Monte Carlo based approach assuming certain composition of primaries or indirect estimation using real data and assuming isotropy of arrival directions can be used. Toy surface arrays of different sensitivities to electromagnetic and muon components are assumed in MC simulations to study effects imposed on attenuation curves for varying composition or possible high energy anisotropy. The possible sensitivity of the attenuation curve to the mass composition is also tested for different array types focusing on a future apparatus that can separate muon and electromagnetic component signals.