Use of RPC in EAS physics with the COVER-PLASTEX experiment

Bakelite resistive plate counters (RPCs) have been used for the first time in extensive air shower (EAS) physics with the COVER-PLASTEX experiment in Haverah Park, near Leeds, UK for a detailed investigation of the space-time structure of the shower front. For this purpose new front-end electronics have been developed, and an accurate investigation on the RPC performances and pick-up characteristics has been performed. Measurements of the noise, cross talk, after-pulses and detector saturation have permitted to understand the behaviour of this detector in operational conditions. A direct comparison with scintillators of the GREX array demonstrates the capability of the RPC to measure the lateral distribution of shower particles and emphasizes the advantage of this detector for a detailed analysis of EAS front characteristics. (orig.)