First Results of Studying EAS Cores Using a High-Mountain Ionization Calorimeter

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper describes the scientific motivation of the experiment, a new high-mountain detector for extensive air shower. Results from previous experiments left some open points that can be addessed with a new detector with higher material budget, as the one realised by the authors. The experimental setup is described, as well as the first characterisation data. The simulation approach is then described.

I am not qualified to enter in details in the theoretical background, so I will focus on the experiment setup and simulation description. On the setup description, I would appreciate a figure describing the disposition of the experiment. Section 2.1 gives a general overview but it is not easy to follow. On the simulation, I would like to know how the interaction models have been selected, and what are the differences that different models introduced on the simulation. I think also a bit more information on how the simulation will proceed and on the perspective for a full production would be relevant for the description of future results on the experiment.

Here some notes in specific lines:

Lines 59-64: The punctuation is not correct, and it is impossible for me to understand the phrase meaning.

Line 130: the "26 cm" refers to lead? In this case it does not match with the information on Figure 1

Line 164: can you explain better the front-end readout of the detector?

Line 185: does the calibration of the IC consist in the same procedure described for characterisation? If not, can you explain how is it done?

Line 238: where do you locate the boundary of the atmosphere in your simulation?

The english is quite good, but some typos are present. A check is strongly suggested.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Review Report (Reviewer 1)

The paper describes the scientific motivation of the experiment, a new high-mountain detector for extensive air shower. Results from previous experiments left some open points that can be addessed with a new detector with higher material budget, as the one realised by the authors. The experimental setup is described, as well as the first characterisation data. The simulation approach is then described.

I am not qualified to enter in details in the theoretical background, so I will focus on the experiment setup and simulation description. On the setup description, I would appreciate a figure describing the disposition of the experiment. Section 2.1 gives a general overview but it is not easy to follow. On the simulation, I would like to know how the interaction models have been selected, and what are the differences that different models introduced on the simulation. I think also a bit more information on how the simulation will proceed and on the perspective for a full production would be relevant for the description of future results on the experiment.

Here some notes in specific lines:

1. Reviewer:

Lines 59-64: The punctuation is not correct, and it is impossible for me to understand the phrase meaning.

Answer: Corrected in the text

2. Reviewer:

Line 130: the "26 cm" refers to lead? In this case it does not match with the information on Figure 1

Answer:  Corrected in the text and inserted the corrected Figure 1.

3. Reviewer:

Line 164: can you explain better the front-end readout of the detector?

Answer: Input of IC chamber: particles; output of IC chamber: binary ADC code.

In general, the calorimeter data collection system is based on the complex EAS installation of the Tien Shan Mountain Cosmic Ray Station that consists of the multichannel ADC system, trigger generation system, means of detector operation stability control, and software. For more information refer to Chubenko A. P., Shepetov A. L., et al. New complex EAS installation of the Tien Shan mountain cosmic ray station // Nucl. Instrum. Methods A. — 2016. — V. 832. — P. 158–178.— arXiv:1912.13356 [astro-ph.HE].

4. Reviewer:

Line 185: does the calibration of the IC consist in the same procedure described for characterisation? If not, can you explain how is it done?

Answer: The calibration of registration channels is carried out according to a single procedure for the entire calorimeter.

5. Reviewer:

Line 238: where do you locate the boundary of the atmosphere in your simulation?

Answer: Added to the text – the boundary of the atmosphere is 112.83 km above sea level (CORSIKA standard).

Authors thank the referee for all very useful remarks. All remarks are taken into account and the corresponding corrections are made.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

I have reviewed the manuscript titled "First results of studies of EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter" by Turlan Sadykov et al. This research delves into the investigation of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) using a high-altitude ionization calorimeter called "Hadron-55." The study explores phenomena observed in high-altitude experiments, discussing the coplanarity of energetic particles and the Tien Shan effect. It introduces simulations of EAS development initiated by protons, nuclei, and hypothetical strangelets, discussing their energy spectra, lateral distributions, and responses in the "Hadron-55" calorimeter. The paper also outlines the simulation process and the computational resources required for studying EAS cores. The findings presented are preliminary, emphasizing the need for further experimental and simulated exploration in this field. Nevertheless, there are several suggestions for improvement of the manuscript. 

I would suggest changing the title of the manuscript from “First results of studies of EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter” to “First results of studying EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter “

Rephrase the last sentence of the abstract at line number 27 to “This paper presents the initial experimental results.”

change sentence 234 for smoother flow: “…..which describes the generation of hard hadron jets with large transverse momenta.”  "...which explains the generation of hard hadron jets with significant transverse momenta."

Correct typo "Simulaton" to "Simulation" in line 284.

Improve sentence 346: "It is challenging to depict all tracks of an EAS event in the calorimeter due to the multitude of tracks."

In line 360, include a closing parenthesis after "...are set)."

Reconsider sentence 361 for clarity: "Utilizing CORSIKA results for simulating calorimeter processes demands even more time."

Some results from the literature for predictions of QGSJETII-04 may also be included to justify its use. For instance, at line 235 the following references may be used after the text, “The model has demonstrated promising outcomes in measuring hadron production at accelerator energies [ Symmetry 2023, 15, 618. https:// doi.org/10.3390/sym15030618 & Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2023) 138:14 https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-03603-9]”.

The manuscript is well-structured and effectively communicates scientific concepts. However, there are occasional instances where clarity could be improved through more concise or precise language. Overall, the English quality is good, but still several minor adjustments could enhance the readability for a wider audience.

Author Response

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Review Report (Reviewer 2)

I have reviewed the manuscript titled "First results of studies of EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter" by Turlan Sadykov et al. This research delves into the investigation of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) using a high-altitude ionization calorimeter called "Hadron-55." The study explores phenomena observed in high-altitude experiments, discussing the coplanarity of energetic particles and the Tien Shan effect. It introduces simulations of EAS development initiated by protons, nuclei, and hypothetical strangelets, discussing their energy spectra, lateral distributions, and responses in the "Hadron-55" calorimeter. The paper also outlines the simulation process and the computational resources required for studying EAS cores. The findings presented are preliminary, emphasizing the need for further experimental and simulated exploration in this field. Nevertheless, there are several suggestions for improvement of the manuscript. 

1. Reviewer:

I would suggest changing the title of the manuscript from “First results of studies of EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter” to “First results of studying EAS cores using a high-mountain ionization calorimeter “

Answer: the title of the manuscript is changed

2. Reviewer:

Rephrase the last sentence of the abstract at line number 27 to “This paper presents the initial experimental results.”

Answer: the last sentence of the abstract is rephrased.

3. Reviewer:

change sentence at line number 234 for smoother flow: “…..which describes the generation of hard hadron jets with large transverse momenta.”  "...which explains the generation of hard hadron jets with significant transverse momenta."

Answer: the specified sentence at line number 234 is changed

4. Reviewer:

Correct typo "Simulaton" to "Simulation" in line 284.

Answer: Corrected in the text.

5. Reviewer:

Improve sentence 346: "It is challenging to depict all tracks of an EAS event in the calorimeter due to the multitude of tracks."

Answer: the specified sentence at line number 234 is improved.

6. Reviewer:

In line 360, include a closing parenthesis after "...are set)."

Answer: Corrected in the text.

7. Reviewer:

Reconsider sentence 361 for clarity: "Utilizing CORSIKA results for simulating calorimeter processes demands even more time."

Answer: the specified sentence at line number 361 is reconsidered.

8. Reviewer:

Some results from the literature for predictions of QGSJETII-04 may also be included to justify its use. For instance, at line 235 the following references may be used after the text, “The model has demonstrated promising outcomes in measuring hadron production at accelerator energies [ Symmetry 2023, 15, 618. https:// doi.org/10.3390/sym15030618 & Eur. Phys. J. Plus (2023) 138:14 https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-022-03603-9]”.

Answer: Recommended text and references are used

Authors thank the referee for all very useful remarks. All remarks are taken into account and the corresponding corrections are made.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx