Interactions of high-energy (eV) photons in the Earth's magnetic field
- 1 November 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review D
- Vol. 24 (9) , 2536-2538
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.24.2536
Abstract
Cosmic-ray photons of energy >5 × eV will pair produce in the Earth's magnetic field. The electrons radiate by quantum synchrotron radiation; the produced photons may in turn pair produce and continue the cascade. This electromagnetic cascade interacts with the Earth's atmosphere and produces an extensive air shower. Some implications for determining the photon contribution to the highest-energy cosmic rays are discussed.
Keywords
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