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PhysRevD.76.052003.pdf (1.39 MB)

Measurement of the atmospheric muon charge ratio at TeV energies with the MINOS detector

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 21:32 authored by P Adamson, C Andreopoulos, K. E. Arms, R Armstrong, D J Auty, S Avvakumov, D. S. Ayres, B Baller, B Barish, P. D. Barnes, Jr, Elisabeth FalkElisabeth Falk, Philip Harris, Jeff HartnellJeff Hartnell, P A Symes, et al
The 5.4 kton MINOS far detector has been taking charge-separated cosmic ray muon data since the beginning of August, 2003 at a depth of 2070 m.w.e. in the Soudan Underground Laboratory, Minnesota, USA. The data with both forward and reversed magnetic field running configurations were combined to minimize systematic errors in the determination of the underground muon charge ratio. When averaged, two independent analyses find the charge ratio underground to be N-mu(+)/N-mu(-)=1.374 +/- 0.004(stat)(-0.010)(+0.012)(sys). Using the map of the Soudan rock overburden, the muon momenta as measured underground were projected to the corresponding values at the surface in the energy range 1-7 TeV. Within this range of energies at the surface, the MINOS data are consistent with the charge ratio being energy independent at the 2 standard deviation level. When the MINOS results are compared with measurements at lower energies, a clear rise in the charge ratio in the energy range 0.3-1.0 TeV is apparent. A qualitative model shows that the rise is consistent with an increasing contribution of kaon decays to the muon charge ratio.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Physical Review D

ISSN

1550-7998

Publisher

American Physical Society

Issue

5

Volume

76

Page range

052003

Department affiliated with

  • Physics and Astronomy Publications

Notes

Collaboration of about 200 physicists; Article Number: 052003

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-03-22

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-11-10

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