Energy spectra of electrons in the extensive air showers of ultra-high energy Energy spectra of electrons in the extensive air showers of ultra-high energy

Abstract We show that the shape of the energy spectrum of electrons in an extensive air shower with an ultra-high energy (E 10 19 eV) at a given level in the atmosphere depends only on the shower age at this level. It depends practically neither on the primary particle mass nor on its energy. This fact considerably simplifies interpretation of data from the experiments (e.g., Fly's Eye, HiRes and Auger) determining cascade curves of single showers by the fluorescence technique. In particular, the contribution of the scattered Cherenkov light to the total flux produced by a shower can be easily taken into account. Our conclusion has been drawn by analysing results of Monte Carlo simulations of showers with the CORSIKA (Heck et al 1998 Report FZKA 6019) program, using the QGSJet interaction model