Cerenkov radiation from computer simulations of the γ-ray-initiated atmospheric showers

Computer simulations have been made of the spatial and temporal characteristics of the Cerenkov radiation produced in the atmosphere by showers initiated by γ-rays of energy (10/300)GeV. The simulations contain improvements in detail over those previously available and allowance was made for the effects of the geomagnetic fiend on the electron cascade development and absorption in the atmosphere of the Cerenkov light. The results are appropriate to a range of detectors at an altitude of 2380 m and at sea-level. Details are given of the average spatial and temporal characteristics of the light flux including isophote plots. The fluctuations in these quantities are specified and the origin of the fluctuations identified