Particle density fluctuations and correlations in low energy Cosmic-Ray showers simulated with CORSIKA

TL;DR

This study uses CORSIKA simulations to analyze low energy cosmic-ray air showers, focusing on particle density fluctuations and correlations, which are crucial for understanding cosmic-ray ensembles and improving detection methods.

Contribution

It provides detailed analysis of particle density fluctuations and correlations in low energy EAS, aiding the interpretation of cosmic-ray ensemble observations.

Findings

Density fluctuations are mostly random but show local enhancements.

Correlations near a selected particle indicate non-random clustering.

Results can improve detection probability calculations for EAS.

Abstract

The current studies of cosmic rays are focused on most energetic particles entering the atmosphere and producing a single Extensive Air Shower (EAS). There are, however, models predicting that interactions of high energy particles may result in Cosmic-Ray Ensembles (CRE) created far from the Earth. They could be observed as some number of correlated air showers of relatively low energies spread over a large area. The objective of the Cosmic Ray Extremely Distributed Observatory (CREDO) is to search for CRE using all available data from different detectors and observatories including even small but numerous detectors spread over large areas. Interpretation of such measurements require precise information on properties of EAS in a very wide energy spectrum. Low energy EAS are analysed using events from CORSIKA, the program performing air shower simulations. The primary cosmic ray particle energy range extends from 1TeV up to 4000TeV. The secondary particles at the ground level are studied in order to obtain their density fluctuations and correlations in location. Although the fluctuations observed in multiplicity distributions are consistent with random the more detailed analysis reveals that near a selected particle the density of other particles is enhanced over that expected in the absence of correlations. The results of this analysis may be useful in further calculations, for example to obtain probability of detection of an EAS without special simulations.