Neutrons in simulations of extensive air showers

Abstract

We study neutrons produced in simulations of extensive air showers. By using the Monte Carlo simulation package Fluka, our examination is able to extend from the highest energy neutrons, produced in hadronic interactions, all the way down to thermal energies. The energy spectra, arrival times, and lateral distributions of neutrons at the ground are compared for different primary species, as are the longitudinal profiles of the neutron fluence. Direct comparisons are drawn with the analogous distributions for muons.