The spatial characteristics of muons in large cosmic ray showers

Abstract

Early experimental work on the heights of origin of muons in Extensive Air Showers, particularly that of Earnshaw et al (1973) is described in detail and the relative merits of the experimental techniques used are considered. As an extension of the work, an extensive series of computer simulations was performed both as an aid to interpretation of experimental data and to indicate measureable parametres for future experiments. Both the temporal and spatial characteristics were simulated and a large amount of data is presented and compared where possible with available experimental results Recent work using a different model for shower cascade development is described and compared with the earlier simulations. A design for a new experiment which has evolved from this work and is now nearing completion is fully described. The experiment consists of two widely separated (250m), heavily shielded spatial angle detectors (employing neon flash tubes) with a particle track resolution better than half a degree. Methods of data extraction and interpretation are described and the likely modes of operation discussed.