Calculations of average characteristics of EAS components and Monte Carlo calculations of their fluctuations using different models of nuclear interactions. III. Nuclear-active particles

Abstract

Results concerning NAPs from calculations described in Part I are given here. (1) Nucleon-pair-producing models give results in agreement with the observed size variation, integral energy spectrum, and delay distribution of NAPs. (2) Fluctuations in NAPs are partly correlated to fluctuations in the electron lateral structure parameter. (3) A nonlinear size variation of low-energy NAPs is expected from a changing primary composition model. (4) The usefulness of ultra-high-energy neutral events, the number of NAPs, and core structure studies in distinguishing between proton and heavy primaries is discussed.