Particle identification by multifractal parameters in gamma-astronomy withthe HEGRA-Cherenkov-telescopes

Cherenkov images of air showers can also be classified using multifractal a nd wavelet parameters, as compared to the conventional Hillas image paramet ers. This new technique was applied to the images recorded by the cameras o f the stereoscopic imaging air Cherenkov-telescopes operated by the HEGRA c ollaboration. With respect to the identification of particles, the performa nce of multifractal and wavelet parameters was examined using a data sample from the observation of the active galaxy Mkn 501 that showed a high gamma -ray flux. The Multifractal parameters were also combined with the Hillas parameters using a neural network approach in order to further improve the gamma /hadron-separation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.