An atmospheric radiation model based on response matrices generated by detailed Monte Carlo Simulations of cosmic ray interactions

Abstract

A comprehensive model of the energetic radiation in the atmosphere has been developed. It is based on the use of a dynamic cosmic ray radiation model, an efficient rigidity cutoff calculation tool, and the use of detailed atmospheric response matrices to monochromatic cosmic ray particle incidences. The response matrices were produced by detailed Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of cosmic ray interactions with the atmosphere. This model can predict the secondary particle (proton, neutron, electron, gamma, charged pion, or charged muon) spectrum at any given location and time in the atmosphere.