Study of the lateral distribution functions of electron and muon bundles using Trasgo detectors

TL;DR

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Trasgo detectors in measuring the lateral distributions of electrons and muons in cosmic ray showers through Monte Carlo simulations, aiming to improve primary cosmic ray property measurements.

Contribution

It systematically analyzes the lateral distributions of secondary particles using simulations to assess Trasgo detectors' capability in cosmic ray studies.

Findings

Trasgo detectors can reliably measure lateral distributions of electrons and muons.

Simulations show potential for primary cosmic ray property determination.

Locations in Spain and Antarctica are suitable for such measurements.

Abstract

Some of the main features of the new generation Trasgo detectors are their capability in measuring the incoming direction and the arrival time of secondary cosmic particles. They also offer the identification capability between muon and electrons and a rough calorimetry for electrons. Using ground-based stations, these properties allow for the development of new tools for the measurement of primary cosmic ray fluxes. In order to verify and quantify the suitability of Trasgo detectors, whether a single one or arrays of them, to provide reliable information of the properties (mass, energy, incoming direction) of primary cosmic rays we have started an initiative for the systematic study of the 'lateral distributions' displayed by electrons and muons, or by bundles of those particles, using MonteCarlo simulations. In a first approach, electrons and muons were produced in vertical showers from primary H, He, C and Fe nuclei, and with incoming energies limited to a maximum of 10$^{15}$ eV per nucleon. This choice represents a significant component of all secondary particles, which can be measured on Earth's surface. The lateral distributions study has been done at the two locations of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Livingston Island (Antarctica), where Trasgo detectors are either in operation, or will be operative in the near future.