A new numerical technique to determine primary cosmic ray composition in the ankle region

• Published in: Astroparticle physics Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 75 - 85
• Main Authors: Supanitsky, A.D., Medina-Tanco, G., Etchegoyen, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Augers; Chemical composition; Confidence; Confidence intervals; Cosmic rays; Elevation; Fluorescence detectors; Iron; Mathematical models; Muons; Showers; Surface; Chemical composition; Cosmic rays; Fluorescence detectors; Surface
• ISSN: 0927-6505; 1873-2852
• DOI: 10.1016/j.astropartphys.2008.11.009

In this paper we introduce a new multiparametric technique that attempts to tackle simultaneously the problems of composition determination and hadronic interaction uncertainty. Employing simulations of a real world detector under its planned operational conditions, and disregarding systematics, we can asses that the present technique should be able to determine the composition of a binary mixture of p and Fe with a statistical confidence of few percent, in a way that is independent of the assumed hadronic interaction model. Moreover, the combination of real data with the tools developed and presented here should give an indication of the reliability of the various hadronic interaction models in current use in the area. We center our study in the region of the ankle, where composition carries critical astrophysical information, and use two main parameters: the number of muons at 600 m from the shower axis and the depth of the shower maximum obtained from the hybrid operation of the planned muon counters and high elevation fluorescence telescopes of the AMIGA and HEAT Auger enhancements.