Energy spectra of secondary particles in γ families and their sensitivity to the spectrum of primary cosmic rays

Abstract

Spectra of secondary particles (γ-rays) in γ-families detected in the X-ray chambers in the Pamirs (H = 600 g cm−2) have been analyzed. These γ-ray spectra show a bend at the energy E*γ ≈ (ΣEγ)min, where (ΣEγ)min is the lowest total energy of γ-rays in the families above which γ-families were selected. The bend is not related to the knee in the spectrum of primary particles; it is due to the use of the ΣEγ selection criterion. The Eγ spectrum slope is sensitive to the spectrum of the primary cosmic rays in the region Eγ ≥ (ΣEγ)min.