Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

S. P. Knurenko

Publications and source records attributed to S. P. Knurenko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Giant Atmospheric Showers Detected by the Yakutsk Extensive Air Shower Array

The two most powerful extensive air showers (EAS) with energies of about $10^{20}$ eV, registered at the Yakutsk EAS array during the entire observation period of 1974-2024, are considered. Both showers hit the array near the center and triggered all surface detectors and underground muon detectors with a threshold energy of $E_μ = 1.0 \times \cos θ$ GeV. These events have an abnormally high fraction of muons, which is beyond current model predictions. This may change our understanding of hadron interactions at ultra-high energy, but there is also a possibility that these showers were initiated by some exotic primary particles.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2021

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↗
arXiv2017

Radio emission of air showers with extremely high energy measured by the Yakutsk radio array

The Yakutsk Array is designed to study cosmic rays at energy 10$^{15}$-10$^{20}$ eV. It consists several independent arrays that register charged particles, muons with energy E$\geq$1 GeV, Cherenkov light and radio emission. The paper presents a technical description of the Yakutsk Radio Array and some preliminary results obtained from measurements of radio emission at 30-35 MHz frequency induced by air shower particles with energy $\varepsilon$ $\geq$ 1$\cdot$10$^{17}$ eV. The data obtained at the Yakutsk array in 1986-1989 (first set of measurements) and 2009-2014 (new set of measurements). Based on the obtained results we determined: Lateral distribution function (LDF) of air showers radio emission with energy $\geq$ 10$^{17}$ eV. Radio emission amplitude empirical connection with air shower energy. Determination of depth of maximum by the ratio of amplitude at different distances from the shower axis. For the first time, at the Yakutsk array, radio emission from the air shower with energy $>$ 10$^{19}$ eV was registered including the shower with the highest energy ever registered at the Yakutsk array with energy $\sim$2 $\cdot$ 10$^{20}$ eV.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2016

Air Shower Radio Emission with Energy E$_0$$\geq$10$^{19}$ eV by Yakutsk Array Data

The paper presents short technical description of Yakutsk Radio Array and some preliminary results obtained from measurements of radio emission at 32 MHz frequency induced by air shower particles with energy ε$\geq$1$\cdot$10$^{19}$ eV. The data obtained at Yakutsk array in 1987-1989 (first set of measurements) and 2009-2014 (new set of measurements). For the first time, at Yakutsk array radio emission from air shower with energy > 10$^{19}$ eV was registered including the shower with highest energy ever registered at Yakutsk array with energy $\sim$2$\cdot$10$^{20}$ eV.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2014

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↗
arXiv2013

The nature of pulses delayed by 5 mcs in scintillation detectors from showers with the energy above 1E17 eV

Here we consider EAS events with energy above 1E17 eV with recorded pulses delayed by t>=5 mcs in scintillation detectors with different thresholds: 10, 5 and 1.8 MeV. In order to identify pulses from electrons, muons and neutrons, experimental data were compared to computational results performed within the framework of QGSJET01d model. Preliminary, one may speculate of registration of low-energy electrons arisen from moderation of neutrons in a detector or a medium surrounding a detector or in the snow cover and frozen crust (albedo particles). The fact that such pulses were registered mostly in low-threshold detectors confirms this hypothesis.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2013

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↗
arXiv2011

Spectrum and mass composition of cosmic rays in the energy range 10^15-10^18 eV derived from the Yakutsk array data

A spectrum of cosmic rays within energy range 10^15 - 3x10^17 eV was derived from the data of the small Cherenkov setup, which is a part of the Yakutsk complex EAS array. In this, work a new series of observation is covered. These observations lasted from 2000 till 2010 and resulted in increased number of registered events within interval 10^16 - 10^18 eV, which in turn made it possible to reproduce cosmic ray spectrum in this energy domain with better precision. A sign of a thin structure is observed in the shape of the spectrum. It could be related to the escape of heavy nuclei from our Galaxy. Cosmic ray mass composition was obtained for the energy region 10^16 - 10^18 eV. A joint analysis of spectrum and mass composition of cosmic rays was performed. Obtained results are considered in the context of theoretical computations that were performed with the use of hypothesis of galactic and meta-galactic origin of cosmic rays.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2010

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↗
arXiv2010

The Relation Between Charged Particles and Muons With Threshold Energy 1 GeV in Extensive Air Showers Registered at the Yakutsk EAS Array

Characteristics of the muon component in EAS are analyzed together with their fluctuations. The aim of this analysis -- a comparison of experimental data with computational results obtained within frameworks of various hadron interaction models for protons and iron nuclei and an estimation of cosmic ray mass composition in the ultra-high energy region.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2010

The depth of maximum shower development and its fluctuations: cosmic ray mass composition at E_0 >= 10^17 eV

We present new data on Cherenkov light observations obtained during the period 1994-2009, after a modernization of the Yakutsk EAS array. A complex analysis of $\xmax$ and its fluctuations $σ(\xmax)$ was performed over a wide energy range. With the new data, according to QGSJet II model, an estimation was made of the cosmic ray mass composition for $\E \sim 10^{17} - 3 \times 10^{19}$ eV. The result points towards a mixed composition with a large portion of heavy nuclei at $\E \sim 10^{17}$ eV and the dominance of light nuclei at $\E \sim 10^{19}$ eV. The analysis of $σ(\xmax)$ energy dependence for the same energies qualitatively confirms this result. The shape of the $\xmax$ distribution at fixed energy $10^{18}$ eV is analysed to make more precise conclusions on cosmic ray mass composition.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2009

The possible feature of the energy spectrum of the primary cosmic rays at ultra-high energies

The energies of the most energetic extensive air showers observed at the Yakutsk array have been estimated with help of the all detectors readings instead of using of the standard procedure with a parameter s(600). The energy of the most energetic extensive air shower observed at the Yakutsk array happened to be 200, 200, 180 and 165 EeV with the values of the Xi**2 function per one degree of freedom 0.9, 1., 0.9 and 1.1 for the primary protons and helium, oxygen and iron nuclei accordingly.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2009

About chemical composition of the primary cosmic radiation at ultra-high energies

The fluxes of electrons, positrons, gammas, Cherenkov photons and muons in individual extensive air showers induced by the primary protons and helium, oxygen and iron nuclei at the level of observation have been estimated with help of the code CORSICA 6.616. The comparison show that the values of the function Xi**2 per one degree of freedom changes from 1.1 for iron nuclei to 0.9 for primary protons. As this difference is small all readings of detectors of the Vavilov-Cherenkov radiation have been used. At last, readings of underground detectors of muons with energies above 1 GeV have been exploited to make definite conclusion about chemical composition.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2009

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↗
arXiv2007

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↗
arXiv2007

Cosmic ray spectrum by energy scattered by EAS particles in the atmosphere and galactic model

The differential energy spectrum of cosmic rays from Cherenkov radiation measurements in EAS in the energy range of 10^15-10^20eV has been compared with an anomalous diffusion model for the particles in interstellar space having fractal properties (Lagutin et al, 2001). The close association between experimental data and calculated "all particle" spectra in form at E(0) (10^15-10^18)eV is found. In this case, the average mass composition of cosmic rays calculated by five components does not contradict the average mass composition from experimental data which was obtained by several of EAS characteristics in that energy region.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2007

A shape of charged particle lateral distribution in individual EAS events with energy above 10^19 eV arriving from different celestial regions

A shape of lateral distribution for charged particles in events with energy above 10^19eV is considered. Two methods were used for individual LDF parametrization. In the first approach, the index of power was determined for generalized Greisen-Linsley approximation. In second, mean square radius of the shower was determined for approximation proposed by Lagutin et al. Comparison of resulted parameters is presented for individual events arrived from different celestial regions -- Galactic planes and the region with increased flux of particles with E(0)>=10^19eV (according to Yakutsk array): 1.7h-3.7h right ascension; 45-60 degrees declination.

astro-ph↗