A Simple Parameterization of the Cosmic-Ray Muon Momentum Spectra at the Surface as a Function of Zenith Angle

Abstract

The designs of many neutrino experiments rely on calculations of the background rates arising from cosmic-ray muons at shallow depths. Understanding the angular dependence of low momentum cosmic-ray muons at the surface is necessary for these calculations. Heuristically, from examination of the data, a simple parameterization is proposed, based on a straighforward scaling variable. This in turn, allows a universal calculation of the differential muon intensity at the surface for all zenith angles and essentially all momenta.

arXiv commentv2: 9 pages, 4 figures, re-write of introduction for clarity and improved discussion of fits. Also, implementation of Tang fit is corrected for error in original paper after discussion with author. v1: 7 pages, 4 figures

References in corpus (3)

• Atmospheric Muon Flux at Sea Level, Underground, and Underwater
• Muon Simulations for Super-Kamiokande, KamLAND and CHOOZ
• Cosmic muon flux at shallow depths underground

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