Simulation of an experiment on detecting ultra-high-energy particles with regard to the structure of the lunar soil surface layer

Abstract

The feasibility of using the lunar orbital radio detector to detect radio signals from cascades initiated by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays interacting with the lunar regolith is studied. Simulation by the Monte Carlo method demonstrates that, with the regolith thickness randomly distributed in the range 2–12 m, the detection of radio signals reflected from the lower boundary of the regolith (for particle energies W ≥ 10²⁰ eV) increases the number of valid events severalfold. The additional contribution due to the reflected radio-frequency radiation greatly enhances the scientific potential of experiments with the lunar orbital radio detector.