The charge distribution of multiply charged nuclei in the primary cosmic radiation part I: The light and medium nuclei

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The charge distribution of multiply charged nuclei in the cosmic radiation with charges of less than ten, has been investigated with a nuclear emulsion detector. The individual charges were determined by two independent methods of ionization measurement, δdL-ray counting and blob-gap counting on the cores of tracks. The close similarity of the charge spectra obtained from these measurements provides an important check on the reliability of the charge determinations. The fluxes of nuclei of different charge groups are given, and it is shown that the ratio of light to medium nuclei at a mean depth in the atmosphere of 15g/cm2 is 0.47±0.07, while at the top of the atmosphere it is 0.37±0.07. These results am compared with those obtained by earlier workers. The use of charge indicating interactions in the calibration of the charge measurements is discussed in an Appendix.