Fractal and factorial studies of electron density distributions in extensive air showers

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Abstract
For years there has been a problem in cosmic ray studies of how to distinguish cascades originated by primary photons from extensive air showers (EAS) originated by primary protons or heavy nuclei. In this paper it is suggested that the investigations of factorial moments and multifractal structures of the density fluctuations of charged particles near EAS cores can solve the problem in question. The study of f( alpha )- alpha spectra seems to give us a chance of distinguishing the iron-originated EAS from the proton-initiated ones.