Studies of Anomalous Phenomena in the Development of Electron-Nuclear Cascades in the EAS Cores Registered by a Modernized Complex Installation at Mountain Altitudes

Abstract

Phenomena have been observed in mountain high-energy cosmic-ray experiments, namely, a delayed absorption of high-energy cascades initiated by cosmic-ray hadrons in a lead absorber at E0≳ 1014 eV (so-called long-flying component), a coplanarity of most energetic particles in the central region of γ-ray−hadron superfamilies, and the so-called Tien Shan effect in EAS cores at E0≳ 1016 eV s>5 TeV. These effects are not described by theoretical models. The coplanarity is explained by the process of coplanar generation of most energetic secondary particles in interactions of superhigh-energy hadrons with the nuclei of air atoms. The other two phenomena are possibly explained with a high cross section for fragmentation-region charmed-hadron generation. To investigate these phenomena, a cosmic-ray detector array, including a very thick ionization calorimeter, is being upgraded to study EAS cores.

Keywords

• cosmic rays
• ionization-neutron calorimeter
• scintillation detector
• ionization chambers
• hadron cascade
• extensive air shower (EAS)