Energy spectrum of cosmic ray electrons between 9 and 300 GeV

Journal Article · Mon Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156778· OSTI ID:6465585

Prince, T A

The high-energy cosmic ray electron spectrum between 9 and 300 GeV has been measured using an instrument consisting of a combination of a transition radiation detector and a shower detector. The instrument has been calibrated at accelerators over the energy range 5--300 GeV and has been exposed in a balloon flight for 9.3 m/sup 2/ sr hr. The design of the instrument and the data analysis procedures are described. We find that the electron spectrum is significantly steeper than the proton spectrum. If the spectrum is fitted to a single power law, a spectral index ..cap alpha..=3.35 is obtained. This suggests the influence of radiative energy losses on galactic electrons at low energies. The results are interpreted in the context of the homogenous model for galactic cosmic rays.

• Research Organization: Enrico Fermi Institute and Department of Physics, University of Chicago
• OSTI ID: 6465585
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 227:2; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
COSMIC ELECTRONS
COSMIC RADIATION
DATA
DATA FORMS
ELECTRON SPECTRA
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FERMIONS
GRAPHS
INFORMATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUMERICAL DATA
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
TRANSITION RADIATION DETECTORS