Characteristics of high energy interactions. I - High energy gamma-ray spectra near the top of the atmosphere. II - Production spectra of Gamma-rays in graphite
Abstract
An emulsion chamber was used to study the characteristics of high-energy nuclear interactions from the production spectra of gamma rays. The emulsion chamber, which consisted of two parts, namely, the detector and the graphite producer unit, was exposed to cosmic rays for about 7 hr at an atmospheric depth of 10 g/sq cm at Hyderabad (geomagnetic latitude 7.6 deg N). A total of 720 electromagnetic cascades due to gamma rays were recorded in the detector. These cascades were classified into three groups: (1) gamma rays from nuclear interactions in the detector; (2) gamma rays from nuclear interactions in the producer unit; and (3) gamma rays of atmospheric origin. The energies of the cascades were determined by a photometric method. The spectra of gamma rays from groups (1) and (3) were determined and compared with similar spectra obtained at greater atmospheric depths. The spectra were found to obey a power law. The spectrum of gamma rays of atmospheric origin was found to steepen at high energies, above 2200 GeV.
- Publication:
-
Pramana
- Pub Date:
- January 1979
- DOI:
- 10.1007/BF02846080
- Bibcode:
- 1979Prama..12...33H
- Keywords:
-
- Atmospheric Radiation;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- High Energy Interactions;
- Nuclear Interactions;
- Chambers;
- Cosmic Rays;
- Emulsions;
- Energy Spectra;
- Graphite;
- Styrofoam (Trademark);
- Space Radiation