Calculations on the arrival-time distribution and energy content of extensive air showers at large core distances

Abstract

Particles comprising an extensive air shower do not originate from a point but are produced as secondaries to the products of interactions which take place along an axial core region. Their structure or arrival-time distribution should be related to their production depth and propagation properties. A detailed Monte Carlo calculation has been made on the delays arising in the development of the electron-photon component to form a basis for the interpretation of experimental observations. Results are presented for the estimated time-delay distributions in an extensive air shower of primary energy 9*1016 eV at radial core distances of 200, 400 and 600 m. Also considered are the energy spectra of photons at such distances, the lateral distribution of energy in the front and the relative muon and electron-photon contributions.