The paper presents the results of the longitudinal development of extensive air showers (Xmax) of ultra-high energies and mass composition of cosmic rays. The measurements of Xmax are based on data from observations of the Cherenkov radiation at the Yakutsk array for the period 1974-2014. The cascade curves of individual showers and the depth of maximum Xmax were reconstructed over the energy range 10 16 -5.7·10 19 eV. It is shown that the displacement rate of the parameter dXmax / dE in the atmosphere is nonlinear and depends on the energy. Such a feature indicates a change in mass composition, which is confirmed by fluctuations of Xmax in this energy region. The composition of cosmic rays was determined by interpolation using the QGSJetII-04 model. * Electronic address: igor.petrov@ikfia.ysn.ru
The Yakutsk Array is designed to study cosmic rays at energy 10 15 -10 20 eV. It consists several independent arrays that register charged particles, muons with energy E≥1 GeV, Cherenkov light and radio emission. The paper presents a technical description of the Yakutsk Radio Array and some preliminary results obtained from measurements of radio emission at 30-35 MHz frequency induced by air shower particles with energy ε ≥ 1·10 17 eV. The data obtained at the Yakutsk array in 1986-1989 (first set of measurements) and 2009-2014 (new set of measurements). Based on the obtained results we determined:Lateral distribution function (LDF) of air showers radio emission with energy ≥ 10 17 eV. Radio emission amplitude empirical connection with air shower energy. Determination of depth of maximum by the ratio of amplitude at different distances from the shower axis. For the first time, at the Yakutsk array, radio emission from the air shower with energy > 10 19 eV was registered including the shower with the highest energy ever registered at the Yakutsk array with energy ∼2 · 10 20 eV.
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