Ekaterina D. Tolstaya

Results of measurements of the spectral index of GCR protons in the energy range 1–40 TeV

The problem of identity or qualitative distinction of the proton spectrum and the spectrum of nuclei with Z ≥ 2 in the range 1–10 TeV remains unresolved for more than 35 years. The confirmation of distinction of these spectra would require essential correction of the theory of origin of galactic cosmic rays (GCR). The uniqueness of the situation is that the energy range 1– 10 TeV during all 35 years was accessible to direct experiments. And, in spite of considerable number of these experiments, they are poorly known, probably, because their appearance was extended on a large time interval. Therefore, we have decided to collect them in a kind of a reference manual about the available data on the value of proton spectral index β p or some parameter determining β p . Since in different experiments various methods were used, we found expedient to accompany a number of tables by references on the concrete method used, its essence, and a possibility of “sensitive points” in one or another case. For the energy range E ≤ 1 TeV, we present Table 1. The data presented are taken from GOST (Soviet State Standards) [1], i.e., they are averaged results of many experiments and do not require the explanations of methods. In what follows below we deal with the range E > 1 TeV.

Comparison of cosmic ray fluxes measured by x-ray emulsion chambers and electronic instruments

Abstract Comparison is made of the proton fluxes measured by X-ray emulsion chambers and electronic instruments in the energy range above 20 TeV. It is shown that the X-ray emulsion chamber measurements give an overestimated value of the proton flux in comparison to the electronic instrument measurements.

An experiment to study cosmic ray protons and nuclei in the 1011–1014 eV energy range (the ‘TUS’ project)

Abstract An experiment to study cosmic ray protons and nuclei in the 10 11 –10 14 eV energy range is discussed. The instrument measures the number of particles in a shower, generated by the primary particle in a lead absorber (∼14 cm thick). The instrument consists of two Cherenkov charge detectors, and two plastic scintillators viewed by 4 photo multipliers under a lead absorber (see Fig.1). The geometry factor of the instrument with account for the probability of particle recording is 0.015 m 2 sr. Computer simulations of the instrument operation were made to make sure that the instrument is capable of measuring irregularities in the proton spectrum, which presumably exist at E∼10 12 eV.