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

A Direct Comparison of Muon Measurements at the Yakutsk Array and the Pierre Auger Observatory

Here we consider the results of direct measurements of muons in extensive air showers with zenith angles $\theta \le 45^{\circ}$ and energy above $10^{17}$ eV, obtained at the Pierre Auger Observatory and Yakutsk array. In both experiments muons were registered with underground scintillation detectors with $\approx 1.0 \times \sec\theta$ GeV energy threshold. Measured density values were compared to theoretical predictions calculated within the framework of the QGSJet-II.04 hadron interaction model. They differ by factor $1.53 \pm 0.13$(stat). We demonstrate that this difference is due to overestimation of muon densities by 1.22 times and underestimation of primary energy by 1.25 times in the Auger experiment.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables. Presented at the 4th International Symposium on Cosmic Rays and Astrophysics (https://indico.nevod.mephi.ru/event/9/contributions/226/). To be published in Physics of Atomic Nucle

Muon puzzle in ultra-high energy EASs according to Yakutsk array and Auger experiment data

The lateral distribution of particles in extensive air showers from cosmic rays with energy above $10^{17}$ eV registered at the Yakutsk complex array was analyzed. Experimentally measured particle densities were compared to the predictions obtained within frameworks of three ultra-high energy hadron interaction models. The cosmic ray mass composition estimated by the readings of surface-based and underground detectors of the array is consistent with results based on the Cherenkov light lateral distribution data. A comparison was made with the results of direct measurement of the muon component performed at the Pierre Auger Observatory. It is demonstrated that the densities of muon flux measured at Yakutsk array are consistent with results of fluorescent light measurements and disagree with results on muons obtained at the Auger array.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables. Accepted for publication in JETP Letter

Air Shower Simulation and Hadronic Interactions

The aim of this report of the Working Group on Hadronic Interactions and Air Shower Simulation is to give an overview of the status of the field, emphasizing open questions and a comparison of relevant results of the different experiments. It is shown that an approximate overall understanding of extensive air showers and the corresponding hadronic interactions has been reached. The simulations provide a qualitative description of the bulk of the air shower observables. Discrepancies are however found when the correlation between measurements of the longitudinal shower profile are compared to that of the lateral particle distributions at ground. The report concludes with a list of important problems that should be addressed to make progress in understanding hadronic interactions and, hence, improve the reliability of air shower simulations.Comment: Working Group report given at UHECR 2012 Symposium, CERN, Feb. 2012. Published in EPJ Web of Conferences 53, 01007 (2013

Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in 136^{136}Xe with EXO-200

We report on a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of $^{136}$Xe with EXO-200. No signal is observed for an exposure of 32.5 kg-yr, with a background of ~1.5 x 10^{-3} /(kg yr keV) in the $\pm 1\sigma$ region of interest. This sets a lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless double-beta decay $T_{1/2}^{0\nu\beta\beta}$($^{136}$Xe) > 1.6 x 10$^{25}$ yr (90% CL), corresponding to effective Majorana masses of less than 140-380 meV, depending on the matrix element calculation

First Measurement of the Neutron β\beta-Asymmetry with Ultracold Neutrons

We report the first measurement of angular correlation parameters in neutron $\beta$-decay using polarized ultracold neutrons (UCN). We utilize UCN with energies below about 200 neV, which we guide and store for $\sim 30$ s in a Cu decay volume. The $\vec{\mu}_n \cdot \vec{B}$ potential of a static 7 T field external to the decay volume provides a 420 neV potential energy barrier to the spin state parallel to the field, polarizing the UCN before they pass through an adiabatic fast passage (AFP) spin-flipper and enter a decay volume, situated within a 1 T, $2 \times 2\pi$ superconducting solenoidal spectrometer. We determine a value for the $\beta$-asymmetry parameter $A_0$, proportional to the angular correlation between the neutron polarization and the electron momentum, of $A_0 = -0.1138 \pm 0.0051$.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let