Large Muon Tracking Detector in the KASCADE EAS Experiment

Accurate measurements of the muon component in EAS are particularily important for determination of the primary CR spectrum and composition. Multiparameter analysis possibilities in KASCADE have been recently enhanced by starting the operation of a large area streamer tube muon tracking detector. With its acceptance of about 500 m·sr it identifies EAS muons with energy exceeding 0.8 GeV. The reconstruction of the mean muon production height, a parameter related to the nature of primary UHE particle, is a main goal of this detector. In addition, this detector is capable of independent determination of the shower direction, therefore, it can be used in combination with the scintillator array to improve the overall angular resolution of KASCADE. For the above-mentioned applications a good and well understood accuracy in determination of the angles of the muon tracks is of primary importance. The construction of the whole detector, as well as streamer tubes and electronics specially developed for it, allowed to reach high efficiency of muon track detection, on the level of 0.72. Various approaches to the concept of the angular resolution in track determination are discussed. The influence of the design and operation factors on the resolution, which can approach the level of 0.2◦, is shown. Example of the detector performance in muon density measurements is given. Correspondence to: J. Zabierowski ([email protected])