The ARGO-YBJ experiment is an Extensive Air Shower array currently operating at the high altitude Yangbajing Cosmic Ray Laboratory (Tibet, P.R. China 4300 m a.s.l.). The detector consists of a dense layer of Resistive Plate Counters (RPCs) covering an area of about 6700 m2. One of the major benefits of having this design is the ability to measure the temporal and spatial structure of secondary particles of the shower with high time resolution and with an accurate determination of their position at the ground. This provides a unique enviroment to explore cosmic ray showers with respect to their front shape. We present a detailed study of the curvature and of the thickness of the shower disc using events with energies up to several hundreds of TeV. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the shower development and of the detector response are performed to investigate the implications of our observations. Finally, we discuss the potential of this measurement in the evaluation of standard surface array observables with particular attention to the events with time structure peculiarities like double shower fronts are discussed.
Temporal and spatial structure of the extensive air shower front with the ARGO-YBJ experiment
Marsella G.;Martello D.;Perrone L.;
2011-01-01
Abstract
The ARGO-YBJ experiment is an Extensive Air Shower array currently operating at the high altitude Yangbajing Cosmic Ray Laboratory (Tibet, P.R. China 4300 m a.s.l.). The detector consists of a dense layer of Resistive Plate Counters (RPCs) covering an area of about 6700 m2. One of the major benefits of having this design is the ability to measure the temporal and spatial structure of secondary particles of the shower with high time resolution and with an accurate determination of their position at the ground. This provides a unique enviroment to explore cosmic ray showers with respect to their front shape. We present a detailed study of the curvature and of the thickness of the shower disc using events with energies up to several hundreds of TeV. Detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the shower development and of the detector response are performed to investigate the implications of our observations. Finally, we discuss the potential of this measurement in the evaluation of standard surface array observables with particular attention to the events with time structure peculiarities like double shower fronts are discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
