Improving the accuracy of cosmic ray mass composition estimation using the scale factor of the electron lateral distribution in air showers

Abstract

The prospects for using the scale factor of the lateral distribution of electrons in air showers as an indicator of the type of cosmic ray primary particle is studied. The developed approach allows to improve the accuracy of reconstructing the mass composition of high-energy cosmic radiation on both an average and event-by-event basis, along with the reanalysis and verification of the congruence between data from different experiments and their cross-calibration and validation. The problem of estimating the scale factor of the electron lateral distribution using data from existing EAS arrays in light of their prospective upgrading is discussed.