Measurement of the absolute flux of cosmic-ray electrons

Journal Article · Sat Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/162720· OSTI ID:6026554

Golden, R L; Mauger, B G; Badhwar, G D; Daniel, R R; Lacy, J L; Stephens, S A; Zipse, J E

The absolute flux of cosmic-ray electrons has been measured using a balloon-borne superconducting magnet spectrometer. The instrument consisted of a gas Cerenkov detector, a momentum spectrometer, and a lead-scintillator shower counter. The flux of electrons in the interstellar medium was determined by correcting the observed flux for energy loss in the atmosphere and the payload and for solar modulation. The flight was made at an average atmospheric depth of 5.8 g cm/sup -2/, and the solar modulation was taken to be 300 MeV. The flux in the interstellar medium was found to be 367E/sup() -3.15plus-or-minus0.2/ e/sup -/ m/sup -2/ sr/sup -1/ s/sup -1/ GeV/sup -1/ in the energy interval 4.5-63.5 GeV. The uncertainty in the absolute flux is 10%. The result has been validated by the use of data from a second balloon flight, the use of alternate selection criteria, and simultaneous measurement of other absolute fluxes.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State University
• OSTI ID: 6026554
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 287:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC ELECTRONS
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RAY DETECTION
COSMIC RAY FLUX
COSMIC RAY SPECTROMETERS
DETECTION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC SPECTROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION FLUX
RADIATIONS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SPECTROMETERS