Mass sensitive observables of simulated cosmic ray air showers
Date
2022
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Extensive cosmic ray research has been performed over the course of the last century, yet the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays remains unknown. One way progress is made towards determining the origin of these ultra-high energy charged particles is through precise measurements of their mass composition. However, the highest energy cosmic rays must be detected indirectly via cosmic ray air showers. Therefore the mass of the primary cosmic ray must be derived from information of air shower observables sensitive to the primary particle mass. Specifically, these mass sensitive observables include the depth of shower maximum, and parameters related to the relative size of the muonic component of the air shower. In this thesis, CORSIKA simulations of cosmic ray air showers are used to study the separation power between proton and iron primary cosmic rays, based on combined knowledge of various mass sensitive observables. Specifically, the energy and zenith dependence of observables are investigated in relation to their impact on the proton-iron separation power. For the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, the difference in separation power between high energy penetrating muons and low energy surface muons is investigated. Additionally, the effect of low energy surface muons on proton-iron separation power was studied for the Pierre Auger Observatory and compared to the low energy surface muon separation power obtained from IceCube.
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Keywords
Cosmic rays, CORSIKA