Investigation of the PCR energy spectrum shape by the means of the local EAS muon density technique

The results of studying the primary cosmic radiation (PCR) flux in the energy range 10¹⁵–10¹⁸ eV at the NEVOD-DECOR experimental array using local muon density spectra are reported. The experimental distributions and the spectra obtained by simulation of EAS muon LDF using the CORSIKA code are compared. Possibilities of using a new method for analysis of muon bundle events on the basis of the primary energy estimator are discussed.     

Multiple interactions of muons in BUST

Analysis of the experimental data for a long period of Baksan underground scintillation telescope (BUST) operation to search for very-high-energy muons is presented. The phenomenological parameters and the sensitivity of the method of multiple interactions, based on the concepts of the pair-meter technique, are discussed. The experimental distributions are compared with the results of calculations for a “conventional” muon spectrum, based on 3D simulation of muon passage through the telescope.     

Direct production of muon pairs by high-energy muons

For ultrarelativistic muons, the cross section for the process μ+Z→μ+Z+μ⁺+μ^? is calculated with allowance for the nuclear and atomic form factors. It is shown that the nuclear form factor affects significantly the cross-section value. The transverse-momentum distribution of muons is calculated. An approximate formula determining the total cross section to within 2 to 3% is derived. The fluxes of groups of cosmic-ray muons generated by the above process are estimated at various depths. It is shown that calculations performed earlier overestimate significantly the fluxes of such groups.     

Muon bundles produced by UHE cosmic rays at large zenith angles

The first experimental results on a new EAS observable, the local muon density spectra measured with a large area coordinate detector DECOR in a wide range of zenith angles, are presented. These data correspond to the interval of primary particle energies from 10¹⁵ to 10¹⁸ eV. Some features of local muon density phenomenology are considered on the basis of an analytical model. Expected distributions of the events in the muon density have been calculated by means of the CORSIKA code and compared with experimental data. The text was submitted by the authors in English.