A layer of streamer tube detectors for the measurement of muons in the KASCADE central detector

For an improved detection of cosmic ray muons with a threshold of 2.4 GeV, the KASCADE Central Detector has been upgraded with a new detector component built of limited streamer tubes. Combined with the operation of two layers of multiwire proportional chambers they enable studies of the muonic component of extensive air showers at higher particle densities. Due to the pad readout system of the streamer tubes, ambiguities in the muon track reconstruction, resulting from limitations of the readout system of the multiwire proportional chambers, can be resolved. Additionally the sensitive area for muon detection is increased from 40% to 82% of the area of the Central Detector by the new layer of streamer tubes, with a good spatial resolution in the parts not covered by the multiwire proportional chambers. The setup of the new detector system and the reconstruction procedures are described and demonstrated by first measurements.