High Energy Physics in the Earth's Atmosphere

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Abstract

The new methodology of high-energy physics in the atmosphere is characterized by the consistent application of particle physics and nuclear spectroscopy to reveal the details of the operation of electron accelerators that arise directly over our heads in thunderclouds. Together with the lasting minutes fluxes of high-energy electrons and γ-rays from the relativistic runaway electron avalanche (RREA), hour-lasting isotropic fluxes of low-energy γ-rays from 222Rn isotopes were also recorded at the Aragats research station. Each type of cosmic ray brings its own specific evidence of the structure and strength of the atmospheric electric field. The muon deceleration effect observed simultaneously with the largest recorded increase in the flux of electrons and γ-rays on Mount Lomnicki Shtit makes it possible to estimate the maximum value of the atmospheric electric field. By measuring the energy spectra of natural γ-radiation, we have discovered a new effect of the circulation of Radon progeny during thunderstorms. Comparison of the energy spectra of electrons and γ-rays during thunderstorm ground-level exceedances (TGEs) allows to study the emerging electrical structures in the atmosphere, which accelerate the seed electrons of cosmic rays to ≈70 MeV. Simultaneous measuring the fluxes of neutrons and γ-rays with a neutron monitor and a SEVAN hybrid particle detector supports the photonuclear origin of atmospheric neutrons.

About the authors

A. Chilingarian

Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute)

Email: chili@aragats.am
Yerevan, Armenia

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