Status of the URAN array for detection of EAS neutron component

Abstract

First prototypes of PRISMA-32 neutron detectors based on the ZnS (Ag) scintillator demonstrated the perspectives of their application for detection of neutrons in extensive air showers. Detected thermal neutrons are generated due to interactions of the hadronic component with the nuclei of the atmosphere or the matter surrounding the detector and carry important information about the energy of primary particles. A mixture of zinc sulfide with natural boron (ZnS + B2O3) is used in the URAN setup. Detectors of the URAN array are located on the roofs of NEVOD and neighboring laboratory buildings; the area of each detector is 0.36 m2. The array consists of independent clusters of 12 detectors in each and is united by a central station of collection and processing of information. Two new clusters of the array were put into operation in 2017, synchronization with other NEVOD setups (NEVOD-EAS array and NEVOD-DECOR-SCT) was provided, and collection of experimental data was started with the area of about 103 m2. The first events of the EAS with neutrons have been registered and data on the temporal distribution of EAS neutrons have been obtained.