Abstract
Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei in the charge range 5≤Z≤26 have been derived from the response of an acrylic plastic Čerenkov detector. Data were obtained using a balloon-borne detector and cover the energy range 320≲E≲2200 MeV amu−1. Spectra are derived from a formal deconvolution using the method of Lezniak (1975). Relative spectra of different elements are compared by observing the charge ratios. Secondary-primary ratios are observed to decrease with increasing energy, consistent with the effect previously observed at higher energy. Primary-to-primary ratios are constant for 6≤Z≤10 and 14≤Z≤26 but vary for 10≤Z≤14. This data is found to be consistent with existing data, where comparable, and lends strong support to the idea of two separate source populations contributing to the cosmic ray composition.
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Work supported by University of Maryland Grant NGR 21-002-316.
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Maehl, R.C., Ormes, J.F., Fisher, A.J. et al. Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei: 4≤Z≤26 and 0.3≤E≤2 GeV amu−1 . Astrophys Space Sci 47, 163–184 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00651365
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00651365