Local shower age and segmented slope parameters of lateral density distributions of cosmic ray shower particles

TL;DR

This study analyzes the lateral density distributions of electrons and muons in cosmic ray air showers, introducing new parameters to infer cosmic ray composition changes from lighter to heavier elements.

Contribution

It introduces segmented slope parameters and local shower age metrics for analyzing lateral density distributions in cosmic ray showers, enhancing mass composition sensitivity.

Findings

KASCADE data suggests a gradual shift from lighter to heavier cosmic ray composition.

New lateral distribution functions effectively describe simulated and observed EAS data.

Parameters show potential for improved mass composition analysis in cosmic ray studies.

Abstract

The paper describes lateral density distributions of electrons and muons of cosmic ray extensive air showers (EAS) in the energy regime of the KASCADE experiment. Potential EAS observables are extracted while some suitable lateral distribution functions are introduced to describe these lateral density distributions of simulated/observed cosmic ray showers. Mass-sensitivity of these parameters are demonstrated particularly for the KASCADE electron and muon distributions data. Our studies indicate that the KASCADE data favours an idea of gradual change of cosmic ray mass composition from lighter concentration to heavier concentration in terms of these parameters.