Lateral distribution cosmic ray muon coincidences up to 36 m

Primary cosmic ray particles comprise about 85 % protons, 12 % helium, 3 % iron, and heavier elements. These particles interact with the Earth's atmosphere, generating the Extensive Air Showers (EAS). Among the particles produced are pions and kaons, which decay into cosmic ray muons. In this r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Veronicah N. Kihagi, Samuel M. Chege, Nadir O. Hashim, Naftali K. Kimani, Claus Grupen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-06-01
Series:MethodsX
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2215016124001699
Description
Summary:Primary cosmic ray particles comprise about 85 % protons, 12 % helium, 3 % iron, and heavier elements. These particles interact with the Earth's atmosphere, generating the Extensive Air Showers (EAS). Among the particles produced are pions and kaons, which decay into cosmic ray muons. In this research, the lateral distribution of cosmic ray muons was measured using two-fold coincidences. Four NaI (Tl) detectors and the associated electronics were used in the measurements of cosmic ray muons. The detectors were positioned from 0 to 36 m at regular intervals. The muon count rate was observed to decrease as the distance between the detectors increased. The measurements were fitted to the Nishimura–Kamata–Greisen (NKG) function to analyze the lateral distribution. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of EAS were performed using the Cosmic Ray Simulations for the KAscade Grande (CORSIKA) program. The simulations made use of EPOS and GHEISHA models for high and lower energies respectively. • The measurements for the two-fold coincidence are consistent with the NKG function. • The simulated and measured data were found to be in agreement. • The knowledge gained from the lateral distribution of cosmic ray muons is essential for the understanding of the development of extensive air showers.
ISSN:2215-0161