Published January 1983 | Version v1
Journal article

The mass composition of primary cosmic rays of energy 6 x 1015 - 2 x 1018 eV

  • 1. Durham Univ. (UK). Dept. of Physics

Description

Measurements of the mean and fluctuation in the depth of cascade maximum of large cosmic-ray showers are reported. These are compared with computer simulation predictions for iron nucleus and proton primaries incorporating a range of models of the hadronic interaction. It is concluded that the primary composition comprises predominantly iron-like nuclei at 1016 eV with an increasing proportion of lighter nuclei at higher energies. (author)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
J. Phys., G (London). Nucl. Phys.
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
1
Series
J. Phys., G (London). Nucl. Phys.
Journal Page Range
L27-L31
ISSN
0305-4616