The primary purpose of this U.S.-Bulgaria research project between Dr. Todor Stanev of the University of Delaware and Dr. H. P. Vankov of the Bulgarian Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy is to study electromagnetic shower behavior. These showers or cascades accompany the production, propagation and detection of high-energy particle signals from astrophysical sources. Joint research efforts will concentrate on defining shower properties by observing differences between hadronic and photonic showers. Results are expected to provide details on energy dissipation and may prove useful in identification and analysis of these high- energy signals in relation to the origin of cosmic radiation. This project in elementary particle physics fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling experts in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.
