The EAS Cherenkov light array Tunka-133, with $ 3 km 2 geometric area, is taking data since 2009. The array permits a detailed study of cosmic ray energy spectrum and mass composition in the PeV energy range. After a short description of the methods of EAS parameter reconstruction, we present the allparticle energy spectrum and results of studying CR composition, based on 3 seasons of array operation. In the last part of the paper, we discuss possible interpretations of the obtained results.

Abstract. This paper proposes a qualitative and quantitative solution of a long-standing problem in astrophysics: the origin of the knee in the Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) spectrum. We calculate GCR flux averaged over Supernova explosion energies and types, applying only the formulae of the standard model of CR acceleration in Supernova remnants (SNR) and the latest astronomical data on the variety in Supernovae. For this purpose we estimate the distribution of SNe in explosion energies and show this distribution to be probably a very asymmetric function with large dispersion. In the case under consideration the cosmic ray flux in the whole energy range should be predominantly formed by the most energetic SN explosions. The knee in the GCR spectrum at energy around E knee = 3 PeV can quantitatively be explained by the dominant contribution of Hypernovae. The model sketches the all-particle cosmic ray spectrum up to 10 18 eV.

a b s t r a c tA new EAS Cherenkov light array, Tunka-133, with $ 1 km 2 geometrical area has been installed at the Tunka Valley (50 km from Lake Baikal) in 2009. The array permits a detailed study of cosmic ray energy spectrum and mass composition in the energy range 10 16-10 18 eV with a uniform method. We describe the array construction, DAQ and methods of the array calibration. The method of energy reconstruction and absolute calibration of measurements are discussed. The analysis of spatial and time structure of EAS Cherenkov light allows to estimate the depth of the EAS maximum X max .The results on the all particles energy spectrum and the mean depth of the EAS maximum X max vs. primary energy derived from the data of two winter seasons (2009)(2010)(2011) are presented. Preliminary results of joint operation of the Cherenkov array with antennas for the detection of EAS radio signals are shown. Plans for future upgrades -deployment of remote clusters, radioantennas and a scintillator detector network and a prototype of the HiSCORE gamma-telescope -are discussed.

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The Galactic Propagation (GALPROP) numerical code is now accepted as an advanced tool for simulations of cosmic ray diffusion and interaction in the Galaxy. The code is used for the interpretation of a large body of cosmic ray data. In some cases, including in particular the case of stable primary and secondary nuclei, one can use a simple leaky-box model for handling of data on cosmic ray energy spectra and composition. We find an adequate leaky-box approximation to the basic GALPROP model and estimate its accuracy.