Cosmic-ray spectra as calculated from atmospheric hadron cascades

Abstract

A Monte-Carlo model has been developed for the calculation of the intensities of hadrons and muons emerging from particle cascades initiated by primary cosmic rays in the atmosphere. Special attenuation is paid to the energy spectra of the particles reaching sea level. Vertical energy spectra were obtained for neutrons, protons, muons and pions at sea level in the energy range 0.1-100 GeV. The predictions show overall agreement with experimental results in all four cases. This indicates that the general features of the atmospheric hadron cascades are satisfactorily understood in the energy range 0.1-10000 GeV.