Updated Neutron‐Monitor Yield Function: Bridging Between In Situ and Ground‐Based Cosmic Ray Measurements

Abstract

Abstract An updated yield function for a standard NM64 neutron monitor (NM) is computed and extended to different atmospheric depths from sea level to 500 g/cm ( 5.7 km altitude) and is presented as lookup tables and a full parametrization. The yield function was validated using the cosmic ray spectra directly measured in space by the AMS‐02 experiment during the period May 2011 through May 2017 and confronted with count rates of all NM64‐type NMs being in operation during this period. Using this approach, stability of all the selected NMs was analyzed for the period 2011–2017. Most of NMs appear very stable and suitable for studies of long‐term solar modulation of cosmic rays. However, some NMs suffer from instabilities like trends, apparent jumps, or strong seasonal waves in the count rates.