Primary cosmic-ray nucleon spectrum from the sea-level muon spectrum using the scaling model

Abstract

Using three values of the differential exponent, namely 2.65, 2.70 and 2.75, of the primary cosmic-ray nucleon spectrum, the scaling model of high-energy N-N collisions parametrised from the recent ISR data and a realistic model for the propagation of cosmic rays through the atmosphere, the sea-level vertical muon spectra in the energy range 0.5-103 GeV have been derived. By comparing the results with the recent muon data of Allkofer et al. (1971) it can be concluded that the primary cosmic-ray nucleon spectrum may be represented by a single exponent over the whole energy range 5-104 GeV, and is given by the relation D(EN)dEN=2.48EN-2.70dEN. This conclusion is not in agreement with the results of some recent similar calculations.