On estimating the energy of giant air-shower primaries

Abstract

The principal methods used currently to evaluate the energy of giant air-shower primaries are compared in the light of a conflict between a recent report from the Yakutsk experiment Diminstein et al. (1982) and results of experiments at Haverah Park Cunningham et al. (1980) and Volcano Ranch Linsley (1973), Watson (1975). It is shown that the different methods used for converting from a ground parameter to primary energy in these three experiments give excellent agreement. The cosmic-ray energy spectrum is redetermined, with improved statistical accuracy, for the highest energies, above 4*10¹⁹ eV.