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Y. Uchihori

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Uchihori.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Energy determination in the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array experiment

Using data from more than ten-years of observations with the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA), we published a result that the energy spectrum of ultra-high energy cosmic rays extends beyond the cutoff energy predicted by Greisen, and Zatsepin and Kuzmin. In this paper, we reevaluate the energy determination method used for AGASA events with respect to the lateral distribution of shower particles, their attenuation with zenith angle, shower front structure, delayed particles observed far from the core and other factors. The currently assigned energies of AGASA events have an accuracy of $\pm$25% in event-reconstruction resolution and $\pm$18% in systematic errors around 10$^{20}$eV. This systematic uncertainty is independent of primary energy above 10$^{19}$eV. Based on the energy spectrum from 10$^{14.5}$eV to a few times 10$^{20}$eV determined at Akeno, there are surely events above 10$^{20}$eV and the energy spectrum extends up to a few times 10$^{20}$eV without a GZK-cutoff.

astro-ph↗

Experimental evidence for G.U.T. Proton Decay

Deep underground in Kolar Gold Fields, in southern India, an experiment to detect proton decay had been carried out since the end of 1980. Analysis of data yielded the following results; (l) the life time of proton is about 1 x 1031 years, (2) it decays into wide spectrum of decay modes, p -> e+ + pai0, p ->anti-nutrino + K+ and so on, and (3) the life time and the distribution of decay modes are close to the predictions of SU(5) SUSY GUT. Four events representing possibly neutron oscillation are also seen.

hep-ex↗

Updated AGASA event list above 4x10^19eV

After our Ap.J. publication of the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) results in 1999 (Takeda et al., 1999), we observed nine events with energies above 4 $\times$ 10$^{19}$eV until May 2000. This short report lists the coordinates of these events, and shows the updated energy spectrum and arrival direction map. The analysis was carried out with the same procedure employed in the Ap.J. publication.

astro-ph↗

Small-scale anisotropy of cosmic rays above 10^19eV observed with the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array

With the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA), 581 cosmic rays above 10^19eV, 47 above 4 x 10^19eV, and 7 above 10^20eV are observed until August 1998. Arrival direction distribution of these extremely high energy cosmic rays has been studied. While no significant large-scale anisotropy is found on the celestial sphere, some interesting clusters of cosmic rays are observed. Above 4 x 10^19eV, there are one triplet and three doublets within separation angle of 2.5^o and the probability of observing these clusters by a chance coincidence under an isotropic distribution is smaller than 1 %. Especially the triplet is observed against expected 0.05 events. The cos(θ_GC) distribution expected from the Dark Matter Halo model fits the data as well as an isotropic distribution above 2 x 10^19eV and 4 x 10^19eV, but is a poorer fit than isotropy above 10^19eV. Arrival direction distribution of seven 10^20eV cosmic rays is consistent with that of lower energy cosmic rays and is uniform. Three of seven are members of doublets above about 4 x 10^19eV.

astro-ph↗

Cluster Analysis of Extremely High Energy Cosmic Rays in the Northern Sky

The arrival directions of extremely high energy cosmic rays (EHECR) above $4\times10^{19}$ eV, observed by four surface array experiments in the northern hemisphere,are examined for coincidences from similar directions in the sky. The total number of cosmic rays is 92.A significant number of double coincidences (doublet) and triple coincidences (triplet) are observed on the supergalactic plane within the experimental angular resolution. The chance probability of such multiplets from a uniform distribution is less than 1 % if we consider a restricted region within $\pm 10^{\circ}$ of the supergalactic plane. Though there is still a possibility of chance coincidence, the present results on small angle clustering along the supergalactic plane may be important in interpreting EHECR enigma. An independent set of data is required to check our claims.

astro-ph↗

The Anisotropy of Cosmic Ray Arrival Directions around 10$^{18}$eV

Anisotropy in the arrival directions of cosmic rays with energies above 10$^{17}$eV is studied using data from the Akeno 20 km$^2$ array and the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA), using a total of about 117,000 showers observed during 11 years. In the first harmonic analysis, we have found strong anisotropy of $\sim$ 4% around 10$^{18}$eV, corresponding to a chance probability of 0.2%. With two dimensional analysis in right ascension and declination, this anisotropy is interpreted as an excess of showers near the directions of the Galactic Center and the Cygnus region.

astro-ph↗

Extension of the Cosmic-Ray Energy Spectrum Beyond the Predicted Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min Cutoff

The cosmic-ray energy spectrum above 10^{18.5} eV is reported using the updated data set of the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array (AGASA) from February 1990 to October 1997. The energy spectrum extends beyond 10^{20} eV and the energy gap between the highest energy event and the others is being filled up with recently observed events. The spectral shape suggests the absence of the 2.7 K cutoff in the energy spectrum or a possible presence of a new component beyond the 2.7 K cutoff.

astro-ph↗