Understanding Gaisser's atmospheric muon parameterization?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Anchovy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atmospheric Muon
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the differential flux equation for atmospheric muons as presented in Thomas K. Gaisser's textbook "Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics" (1990). The equation is defined as: \(\frac{dN_{\mu}}{dE_{\mu}} \approx \frac{0.14 E^{-2.7}}{cm^{2}.s.sr.GeV} \Bigg\{ \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1.1 E_{\mu}cos(\theta)}{115 GeV}} + \frac{0.054}{1 + \frac{1.1 E_{\mu}cos(\theta)}{850 GeV}} \Bigg\}\). The equation highlights an energy dependence of \(E^{-2.7}\) and incorporates angular dependence through the cosine of the angle \(\theta\). The discussion seeks additional resources to better understand the derivation and implications of this equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of differential equations in physics
  • Familiarity with cosmic ray physics
  • Knowledge of muon detection and measurement techniques
  • Basic grasp of angular dependence in particle physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of the atmospheric muon flux equation in "Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics" by Thomas K. Gaisser
  • Explore the concept of energy dependence in particle physics, focusing on \(E^{-2.7}\) behavior
  • Study angular dependence in particle detection, particularly in relation to muon measurements
  • Investigate other academic papers or resources that explain atmospheric muon parameterization
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, researchers in cosmic ray studies, and students seeking to understand atmospheric muon behavior and its mathematical modeling.

Anchovy
Messages
99
Reaction score
2
Hi all,

I'm wondering about an equation for the differential flux of atmospheric muons that looks like this:

\frac{dN_{\mu}}{dE_{\mu}} \approx \frac{0.14 E^{-2.7}}{cm^{2}.s.sr.GeV} \Bigg\{ \frac{1}{1 + \frac{1.1 E_{\mu}cos(\theta)}{115 GeV}} + \frac{0.054}{1 + \frac{1.1 E_{\mu}cos(\theta)}{850 GeV}} \Bigg\}

Despite trawling the net, the only source I can find for it is one textbook (Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics, Thomas K. Gaisser (1990)). However, I'm finding this textbook pretty impenetrable. I want to understand how this equation was arrived at. I'm guessing based on this book it's a difficult thing to explain here but if anyone knows of any document that can get me to at least semi-understand this I would be most grateful.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It is a fit to the data. Main part is an E^-2.7 energy dependence. The rest is angle dependence.
 

Similar threads

Graduate Question about angular muon flux
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Relativistic collision in CM frame at small angle
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K