Search

The Russian-Italian Large Volume Detector (LVD) is located at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory at a depth of 3300 m w.e. To study the seasonal variations of the penetrating component of cosmic rays, the data on cosmic ray muons detected in 2001–2008 was analyzed, along with those associated with neutrons produced by muons since April 2003. One-year periodic variations of muons and neutrons produced by them were found. The maximum intensity is observed in July, in accord with theoretical concepts.

The main goal of the Large Volume Detector (LVD) is to search for neutrino burst from gravitational stellar collapses in our Galaxy. The apparatus is shown to be able to register stellar collapse even if there is none of the antineutrino emission specific to the standard scenario. The data from more than nine years of detector operation have been processed, and no candidate events for neutrino bursts have been detected. This implies the existence of an experimental limit to the galactic stellar collapse rate in those cases where collapse is not accompanied by electron antineutrino emission: less than one event per 4.1 yr at the 90% confidence level.

The large geometric factor and good spatial resolution of the Large Volume Detector (LVD) ensures statistically significant and highly accurate measurements of muon trajectories and determination of the multiplicity of muon groups. The developed algorithm allows us to reconstruct 2 × 106 muon events (single muons and muon groups). Characteristics of muon groups are obtained and the specific yield of neutrons produced by single muons, muon groups, and showers is determined.

The latest results of studies of the gamma-ray spectra recorded together with charged particles in the Russian-Nippon Joint Balloon (RUNJOB) experiment are presented. A comparison of the experimental spectra with the results of the calculations based on assumptions of different intensities of the gamma-ray spec- tra demonstrates that the previously published intensities of primary cosmic rays measured in the RUNJOB experiments are underestimated.