Calculation of gamma-ray families by Monte Carlo method

Extensive Monte Carlo calculation on gamma-ray families was carried out under appropriate model parameters which are currently used in high energy cosmic ray phenomenology. Characteristics of gamma-ray families are systematically investigated by the comparison of calculated results with experimental data obtained at mountain altitudes. The main point of discussion is devoted to examine the validity of Feynman scaling in the fragmentation region of the multiple meson production. It is concluded that experimental data cannot be reproduced under the assumption of scaling law when primary cosmic rays are dominated by protons. Other possibilities on primary composition and increase of interaction cross section are also examined. These assumptions are consistent with experimental data only when we introduce intense dominance of heavy primaries in E0>1015 eV region and very strong increase of interaction cross section (say sigma varies as Esub(0)sup(0.06)) simultaneously