The mass composition of cosmic rays according to the data obtained using the TUNKA-25 setup

The data obtained using the Cherenkov TUNKA-25 extensive air shower (EAS) installation and the refined method were used to obtain the energy dependence of the average EAS depth maximum. The EAS distributions over the depth of the maximum were obtained for the energies of 5 × 1015 and 2 × 1016 eV. An analysis of the shape of distributions indicates that the model of interaction of the nuclei that yields the highest position of the maximum (QGSJET-01) is preferable. If this model is used to account for the maximum’s position, one finds that 〈InA〉 = 1.9±0.2 and helium is dominant in the mass composition at the energy of 5 × 1015 eV. A sharp increase in the mean mass of the composition is observed at energies in excess of 1016 eV.