Cosmic-ray fast-neutron flux measurements in the atmosphere at various latitudes

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Abstract
We have extended in time our series of balloon flights, made at several latitudes between Hyderabad, India, and Ft. Churchill, Manitoba, to altitudes close to the top of the atmosphere. In these flights the neutrons generated by the cosmic radiation in the energy interval between 1 and 10 MeV are measured. The first set of measurements was made during the period of the minimum of solar activity, and the more recent flights carry the work into the start of the next solar cycle. A decrease in intensity at high elevations with the onset of the present solar cycle has been noted. Further data were also obtained on an airplane flight around the world over both poles, thus covering the full range of latitudes at two opposite longitudes. The relationship between the observed neutron spectrum and that derived by the use of a neutron transport code will be discussed. We shall also discuss other factors emerging from this analysis, including the numbers for radiocarbon production and the leakage flux.

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