Hadronic model-independent method for determining cosmic-ray composition: Application to KASCADE data

Abstract

In this contribution, we present the results of the investigation into the utility of the 𝐿𝐶𝑚 parameter as a discriminator for the mass composition of cosmic radiation recorded in experiments employing a relatively compact array of detectors. Based on the entire simulation/reconstruction chain of extensive air showers in the KASCADE experiment, we found that this 𝐿𝐶𝑚 parameter is independent of the employed hadronic interaction models: QGSjet-II-04, EPOS-LHC, and SIBYLL 2.3d. By reconstructing the experimental distributions of 𝐿𝐶𝑚 from the measured data of the KASCADE experiment, we extracted the mass composition based on this parameter using Monte Carlo predictions for five primary species (p, He, C, Si, and Fe) in the energy range lg ( 𝐸 / eV ) = [ 15 . 0 - 16 . 0 ] . The obtained results are highly consistent with those previously obtained by the KASCADE and IceTop Collaborations. Furthermore, the evolution of the individual fraction of particle types with primary energy is in excellent agreement with various astrophysical models that explain the knee as an effect of the acceleration and propagation of cosmic rays within the Galaxy.