The NEVOD-EAS air-shower array

TL;DR

The NEVOD-EAS array is a distributed scintillation detector system designed to study extensive air showers in the 10^10 to 10^18 eV energy range, providing insights into primary cosmic ray particles.

Contribution

This paper introduces the design, operation, and initial data analysis of the NEVOD-EAS array, a novel distributed detector system with a unique cluster and altitude layout.

Findings

Successful deployment and operation over six months

Event selection criteria established and validated

Initial data analysis demonstrates effective EAS parameter reconstruction

Abstract

The Experimental complex NEVOD includes several different setups for studying various components of extensive air showers (EAS) in the energy range from 10^10 to 10^18 eV. The NEVOD-EAS array for detection of the EAS electron-photon component began its data taking in 2018. It is a distributed system of scintillation detectors installed over an area of about 10^4 m^2. A distinctive feature of this array is its cluster organization with different-altitude layout of the detecting elements. The main goal of the NEVOD-EAS array is to obtain an estimation of the primary particle energy for events measured by various detectors of the Experimental complex NEVOD. This paper describes the design, operation principles and data processing of the NEVOD-EAS array. The criteria for the event selection and the accuracy of the EAS parameters reconstruction obtained on the simulated events are discussed. The results of the preliminary analysis of experimental data obtained during a half-year operation are presented.