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I. Ye. Sleptsov

Publications and source records attributed to I. Ye. Sleptsov.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Status of the Yakutsk air shower array and future plans

The Yakutsk Extensive Air Shower Array has been continuously operating for more than 50 years (since 1970) and up until recently it has been one of world's largest ground-based instruments aimed at studying the properties of cosmic rays in the ultra-high energy domain. In this report we discuss results recently obtained at the array - on cosmic rays energy spectrum, mass composition and directional anisotropy - and how they fit into the world data. Special attention is paid to the measurements of muonic component of extensive air showers. Theoretical results of particle acceleration at shocks are also briefly reviewed. Future scientific and engineering plans on the array modernization are discussed.

astro-ph.IM

A beam of ultrahigh energy particles of the same magnetic rigidity

Two EAS arrays during a day have recorded 3 particles with energies above 30 EeV arriving from the same sky region. Two events were registered by the Yakutsk array and one - by the Telescope Array. Two Yakutsk events were estimated to be same energy and the Telescope Array shower's energy was almost 2 times higher. This indicates the same magnetic rigidity of all three particles, if the charge differs by a factor of 2. The relatively short sequence of all three events and their "monochromaticity" in rigidity can be due to the magnetic separation of particles in the acceleration process and propagation of the beam.

astro-ph.HE

Wide field-of-view Cherenkov telescope for the detection of cosmic rays in coincidence with the Yakutsk extensive air shower array

The Yakutsk array group is developing a wide field-of-view Cherenkov telescope to be operated in coincidence with the surface detectors of the extensive air shower array. Currently, the engineering prototype of the reflecting telescope with the front-end electronics is designed, assembled, and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of the conceived instrument. The status and specifications of the prototype telescope are presented, as well as the modernization program of the already existing Cherenkov light detectors subset of the array measuring ultra-high energy cosmic rays.

astro-ph.IM

Cosmic ray spectrum in the energy range 1.0E15-1.0E18 eV and the second knee according to the small Cherenkov setup at the Yakutsk EAS array

From the data on Cherenkov light from EASs collected over the period of more than 15 years, the spectrum of cosmic rays was obtained in the energy range 1.0E15-1.0E18 eV. This spectrum has two features: at ~3.0E15 eV (first knee) and at ~1.0E17 eV (second knee). The first knee is characterized by the indexes γ_1=2.7+/-0.03 and γ_2 = 3.12+/-0.03 and the second knee - by γ_1 = 2.92+/-0.03 and γ_2=3.24+/-0.04. In the second case the difference amounts to Δγ_23=0.32{\pm}0.03{\pm}0.05 which is less than the case of the first knee Δγ_12=0.42+/-0.03+/-0.05 (here dual errors represent statistics and systematics correspondingly). The lesser difference Δγ_23 can be explained with the influx of cosmic rays from Meta-galaxy and, hence, with some increase of the cosmic rays intensity in the energy range 5.0E16-1.0E18 eV, which compensates the escape of heavier nuclei from the Galaxy. The presence of the second knee could be confirmed by abrupt change in mass composition from from lnA~3 at ~1.0E17 eV to lnA~1.5 at 1.0E18eV found from the analysis of longitudinal development of EAS.

astro-ph.HE

Enhancement of the Yakutsk array by atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes to study cosmic rays above $10^{15}$ eV

The aim of the Yakutsk array enhancement project is to create an instrument to study the highest-energy galactic cosmic rays (CRs) -- their sources, energy spectrum, and mass composition. Additionally, there will be unique capabilities for investigations in the transition region between galactic and extragalactic components of CRs. Using the well-developed imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope technique adapted to the energy region $E>10^{15}$ eV, we plan to measure the longitudinal structure parameters of the shower, e.g., angular and temporal distributions of the Cherenkov signal related to $X_{max}$ and the mass composition of CRs. The main advantages of the Yakutsk array, such as its multi-component measurements of extensive air showers, and model-independent CR energy estimation based on Cherenkov light measurements, will be inherited by the instrument to be created.

astro-ph.IM

Measuring extensive air showers with Cherenkov light detectors of the Yakutsk array: The energy spectrum of cosmic rays

The energy spectrum of cosmic rays in the range 10^15 eV to 6*10^19 eV has been studied using the air Cherenkov light detectors of the Yakutsk array. The total flux of photons produced by relativistic electrons (including positrons as well, hereafter) of extensive air showers in the atmosphere is used as the energy estimator of the primary particle initiating a shower. The resultant differential flux of cosmic rays exhibits, in accordance with previous measurements, a knee and ankle features at energies 3*10^15 and ~10^19 eV, respectively. A comparison of observational data with simulations is made in the knee and ankle regions in order to choose the models of galactic and extragalactic components of cosmic rays which describe better the energy spectrum measured.

astro-ph.HE

Average mass composition of primary cosmic rays in the superhigh energy region by Yakutsk complex EAS array data

The characteristics relating to the lateral and longitudinal development of EAS in the energy region of 10^15-10^19eV have been analyzed in the framework of the QGSJET model and of mass composition of primary cosmic rays. It is found that at E(0) >= 5*10^15eV the mean mass composition of primary cosmic rays begins to vary as indicated by a rise of with increasing energy. The maximum value of is observed at E(0) ~ (5-50)*10^16eV. It is confirmed by data of many compact EAS arrays and does not contradict an anomalous diffusion model of cosmic ray propagation in our Galaxy. In the superhigh energy region (>=10^18eV) the value begins to decrease, i.e. the mass composition becomes lighter and consists of protons and nuclei of He and C. It does not contradict our earlier estimations for the mass composition and points to a growing role of the metagalactic component of cosmic rays in the superhigh energy region.

astro-ph

Behavior of some characteristics of EAS in the region of knee and ankle of spectrum

The energy dependence of such characteristics as a ratio of the total number of charged particles to the total flux of EAS Cherenkov radiation, a ratio of E(thr)>=1GeV muon flux density at the distance of 600m from a shower core to charged particle flux density, a ratio of the energy transferred to the electromagnetic component of EAS to the primary particle energy is presented. Their comparison with two-component mass composition of cosmic rays (p-Fe) in the framework of calculations by a QGSJET model is given.

astro-ph

Recent results from Yakutsk experiment: development of EAS, energy spectrum and primary particle mass composition in the energy region of 10^15-10^19 eV

Experimental data obtained at the Yakutsk array after the modernization in 1993 are analyzed. The characteristics of EAS longitudinal and radial development found from the charged particle flux and EAS Cherenkov light registered at the Yakutsk complex array are presented. The energy spectrum of EAS obtained from Cherenkov light and an estimate of the PCR mass composition are presented.

astro-ph

Fluctuations of Xmax and Primary Particle Mass Composition in the Range of Energy 5 10^{17} - 3 10^{19} ev by Yakutsk Data

The experimental distributions of $\Xmax$ obtained with the Yakutsk EAS array at fixed energies of $5 \times10^{17}$, $1\times10^{18}$ and $5\times10^{18}$ eV are analysed. A recent version of the QGSJET model is used as a tool of our analysis. In the framework of this model, the most adequate mass composition of primary particles satisfying the experimental data on $\Xmax$ is selected.

astro-ph

Influence of Primary Cosmic Radiation Mass Composition on the Estimation of Eas Energy

At the Yakutsk EAS array E_em is determined by using measurements of EAS Cherenkov light flux and charged particle flux. It is known from calculations that these characteristics depend on a sort of primary particle and, therefore, the estimation of E_em depends on a primary particle mass. In the work the dependence of the E_em/E_0 ratio on the energy is given and experimental data are compared with calculations by the QGSJET model. The calculations have been carried out for the primary proton and iron nucleus. The average calculated meaning of the value of E_em/E_0 ratio (between the proton and iron nucleus) within experimental errors is in agreement with experimental data that doesnt contradict to the mixed mass composition of primary cosmic radiation.

astro-ph

Muons with E_th >= 1 Gev and Mass Composition in the Energy Range 10^{18}-10^{20} ev Observed by Yakutsk Eas Array

The ratio of the muon flux density to charged particle flux density at distances of 300 and 600 m from the shower axis ($\rhom(300)/\rhos(300)$ and $\rhom(600)/\rhos(600)$) is measured. In addition, the energy dependence of $\rhom(1000)$ is analysed for showers with energies above $10^{18}$ eV. A comparison between the experimental data and calculations performed with the QGSJET model is given for the cases of primary proton, iron nucleus and gamma- ray. We conclude that the showers with $\E\ge3\times10^{18}$ eV can be formed by light nuclei with a pronounced fraction of protons and helium nuclei. It is not excluded however that a small part of showers with energies above $10^{19}$ eV could be initiated by primary gamma-rays.

astro-ph

Cosmic Rays with Energy Above 10^{17} ev

The energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays with ultra high energies based on the Yakutsk EAS Array data is presented. For the largest events values of S600 and axis coordinates have been obtained using revised lateral distribution function. The affect of the arrival time distribution at several axis distance on estimated density for Yakutsk and AGASA is considered.

astro-ph

Spectrum of cosmic rays with energy above $10^{17}$ eV

There are some discrepancies in the results on energy spectrum from Yakutsk, AGASA, and HiRes experiments. In this work differential energy spectrum of primary cosmic rays based on the Yakutsk EAS Array data is presented. For the largest events values of $S_{600}$ and axes coordinates have been obtained using revised lateral distribution function. Simulation of converter's response at large distances showed no considerable underestimation of particle density. Complex shape of spectrum in region of $\E > 10^{17}$ eV is confirmed. After adjustment of parameters and additional exposition at the Yakutsk array there are three events with energy $\E > 10^{20}$ eV.

astro-ph

The spectrum features of UHECRs below and surrounding GZK

The energy spectrum of UHECRs is discussed on the basis of the Yakutsk array database analysis. In the region E=0.1 to 30 EeV the showers are detected under trigger-500, while at energies above 30 EeV the whole acceptance area for trigger-1000 is used in order to utilize all the data available in the region of GZK cutoff.

astro-ph

The energy spectrum of cosmic rays above 10^15 eV as derived from air Cherenkov light measurements in Yakutsk

The Yakutsk array observes the Cherenkov light emitted by UHECR in atmosphere. Recently, an autonomous subarray is added consisting of photomultipliers to measure the showers in the knee region. Our aim is to analyze the combined data set in order to derive the cosmic ray spectrum in the energy range as wide as possible using the same technique. The advantage of the air Cherenkov light measurement is the model independent estimation of the EAS primary energy using the total light flux emitted in the atmosphere. A set of the light lateral distributions observed in the extended energy range is presented also.

astro-ph

Azimuthal modulation of the event rate of cosmic ray extensive air showers by the geomagnetic field

The Earth's magnetic field effect on the azimuthal distribution of extensive air showers (EAS) of cosmic rays has been evaluated using a bulk of the Yakutsk array data. The uniform azimuthal distribution of the EAS event rate is rejected at the significance level 10^(-14). Amplitude of the first harmonics of observed distribution depends on zenith angle as A1=0.2*sin^2(theta) and is almost independent of the primary energy; the phase coincides with the magnetic meridian. Basing upon the value of measured effect, the correction factor has been derived for the particle density depending on a geomagnetic parameter of a shower.

astro-ph