Muon content of ultra-high-energy air showers: Yakutsk data versus simulations

We analyse a sample of 33 extensive air showers (EAS) with estimated primary energies above 2\cdot 10^{19} eV and high-quality muon data recorded by the Yakutsk EAS array. We compare, event-by-event, the observed muon density to that expected from CORSIKA simulations for primary protons and iron, using SIBYLL and EPOS hadronic interaction models. The study suggests the presence of two distinct hadronic components, ``light'' and ``heavy''. Simulations with EPOS are in a good agreement with the expected composition in which the light component corresponds to protons and the heavy component to iron-like nuclei. With SYBILL, simulated muon densities for iron primaries are a factor of \sim 1.5 less than those observed for the heavy component, for the same electromagnetic signal. Assuming two-component proton-iron composition and the EPOS model, the fraction of protons with energies E>10^{19} eV is 0.52^{+0.19}_{-0.20} at 95% confidence level.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; v2: replaced with journal versio

Dependence of the Energy Spectrum of UHE Cosmic Rays on the Latitude of an Extensive Air Shower Array

Several energy spectra of cosmic rays with energies E_0 \geq 10^17 eV measured at the Yakutsk EAS, AGASA, Haverah Park, HiRes, Auger, and SUGAR arrays are considered. It is shown that the fairly good mutual agreement of the spectrum shapes can be achieved if the energy of each spectrum is multiplied by a factor K specific for each spectrum. These factors exhibit a pronounced dependence on the latitude of the above-mentioned arrays.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Neutrinos: the Key to UHE Cosmic Rays

Observations of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays (UHECR) do not uniquely determine both the injection spectrum and the evolution model for UHECR sources - primarily because interactions during propagation obscure the early Universe from direct observation. Detection of neutrinos produced in those same interactions, coupled with UHECR results, would provide a full description of UHECR source properties.Comment: three pages, three figures. corrected typo

The maximum depth of shower with E sub 0 larger than 10(17) eV on average characteristics of EAS different components

The extensive air shower (EAS) development model independent method of the determination of a maximum depth of shower (X sub m) is considered. X sub m values obtained on various EAS parameters are in a good agreement

Zenith-Angular Characteristics of Particles in EASs with E0≃1018E_0 \simeq 10^{18} eV According to the Yakutsk Array Data

Particle lateral distributions were investigated in cosmic ray air showers with energy $E_0 \simeq 10^{18}$ eV registered at the Yakutsk array with surface and underground scintillation detectors with $\simeq 1 \times \sec\theta$~GeV threshold during the period of continuous observations from 1986 to 2016. The analysis covers events with arrival direction zenith angles $\theta \le 60^{\circ}$ within five intervals with step $\Delta\cos\theta = 0.1$. Experimental values were compared to simulation results obtained with the use of CORSIKA code within the framework of QGSJet01 hadron interaction model. The whole dataset points at probable cosmic ray composition which is close to protons.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in Physics of Atomic Nuclei, volume 86 (2023

Muons in EASs with E0=1019E_0 = 10^{19} eV according to data of the Yakutsk Array

Lateral distribution functions of particles in extensive air showers with the energy $E_0 \simeq 10^{19}$ eV recorded by ground-based and underground scintillation detectors with a threshold of $E_{\mu} \simeq 1.0 \times \sec\theta$ GeV at the Yakutsk array during the continuous observations from 1986 to 2016 have been analyzed using events with zenith angles $\theta \le 60^{\circ}$ functions have been compared to the predictions obtained with the QGSJet01 hadron interaction model by applying the CORSIKA code. The entire dataset indicates that cosmic rays consist predominantly of protons.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in JETP Letters (v.117, no.4, 2023), minor typos fixe