THE MESON COMPONENT OF COSMIC RADIATION
Abstract
Observations were made of the momentum spectrum of mesons at a 3.3-km altitude and 48 deg N magnetic latitude and in the vertical and at 46.7 deg E and W of the vertical. The spectra covered the 0.34- to 2-Bev/c range. A 12-km average height of meson production was estimated on the basis of a comparison of the spectra obtained from the vertical and at an angle. Predictions were also made of the maximum meson production at low altitudes. Studies of zenith-angle dependence suggested that the number of mesons produced below 3.3 km does not exceed 5% of the number already present. A value of n = 2.45 + or - 0.05 was obtained from the data on the basis of a zenith-angle dependence of the form, j(Zeta)=j(O) cos Nu Zeta. Positive-to-negative ratios of 1.09 + or - 0.06, 1.21 + or - 0.08, and 1.22 + or - 0.07 for 0.34 to 1.0, 1.0 to 1.67 and above 1.67 Bec/c were obtained in the vertical direction. In the 0.34- to 1-Bev/c interval, ratios of 1.40 + or - 0.12 and 0.88 + or - 0.06, respectively, were obtained at the 46.7 deg zenith angle for the west and east directions. The east-west asymmetry was calculated to be 0.205 + or - 0.076 for positive and 0.264 + or - 0.082 for negative particles.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1953
- Accession Number
- AD0015374
Entities
People
- F.m. Charbonnier
- W.r. Davis
Organizations
- University of Washington