Investigation of the EAS neutron component with the URAN array: first simulation and experimental results

Abstract

Abstract The URAN array was created in the Scientific and Educational Centre NEVOD (MEPhI). The URAN facility was designed to register neutrons that accompany EAS at the energies of the primary cosmic rays around and above the “knee”. It includes 72 detectors based on a thin inorganic scintillator for registration of the charged and neutron components of the EAS. The total area of the facility is about 103 m2. For the correct interpretation of the experimental data of the URAN, the response of the URAN facility to the passage of EAS was simulated using the CORSIKA7.6900 program and Geant4.10.5 software package. It gave a possibility to study neutron generation in the experimental complex building. Experimental data were processed and analyzed. Results of simulation and experimental data are presented.