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Inelasticity of nucleus-nucleus collisions and composition of high-energy cosmic rays

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. D; (United States)

Current experiments to determine the chemical composition and energy spectra of primary-cosmic-ray nuclei around 10/sup 14/ eV maximize collecting power by using thin calorimeters of large area that measure primarily the electromagnetic fraction of the energy released when the nucleus interacts. Estimates of this fraction are model-dependent and differ by nearly a factor of 2 for a range of reasonable models. We discuss the consequences of this for composition studies using emulsion chambers.

Research Organization:
Bartol Research Foundation of the Franklin Institute, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711
OSTI ID:
5677771
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. D; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. D; (United States) Vol. 28:3; ISSN PRVDA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English