Measurement of the primary cosmic electron spectrum from 10 to about 250 GeV

Abstract

The intensity and energy spectrum of primary cosmic electrons from 10 to about 250 GeV have been studied by using balloon-borne detectors. The detectors were large-area ionization calorimeters which sampled showering particles frequently and demonstrated an energy resolution of about 7% in calibration tests. On one of the flights a time-of-flight system and detectors to sample the lateral properties of showers were used to examine and to test background rejection. The results of the balloon flights from Alamogordo, N. Mex., in 1970 and Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1972 indicated that the primary cosmic ray electron differential energy spectrum exhibits no change of slope in the energy range measured and is well represented by a power law. The results indicate that the cosmic electron spectrum is steeper than the cosmic ray proton spectrum. It is shown that these data are consistent with the leakage lifetime model for the propagation of cosmic electrons in the galaxy, although other more complex models cannot be excluded on the basis of these data.