A new way of studying the mass composition of cosmic rays

Abstract

A new way of studying mass composition of cosmic rays is proposed. The electronic and hardronic components of extensive air showers (EASs) are measured over the area of the unit using special scintillator detectors (en-detectors). Shower distribution R = е/n (i.e., the ratio of release of energy measured by endetectors (е, in particles) to the number of recorded thermal neutrons (n)) is suggested for use as a measured parameter that depends on the atomic number of the primary particle. According to preliminary calculations, this distribution differs for different types of primary particles at the level of observation.