Abstract
The new information regarding the absorption of high energy photons and electrons, presented at the recent International Congress on Nuclear Physics, suggests an improved interpretation of certain cosmic ray phenomena. Three distinct components of cosmic rays have been recognised. Eckart's analysis1 of the depth v. ionisation data shows clearly the presence of two components in the cosmic rays which reach the earth's surface. These components have mean absorption coefficients of about 0·6 and 0·06 respectively per metre of water. Gross2 and Compton and Stephenson3 find that the high altitude data from stratosphere balloons also indicate the presence of two components, the more penetrating of which is probably identical with Eckart's less penetrating component. Let us call these components A, B and C in the order of their penetrating power.
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References
C. Eckart, Phys. Rev., 45, 851 ; 1934.
B. Gross, Z. Phys., 83, 217 ; 1933.
A. H. Compton and R. J. Stephenson, 45, 441 ; 1934.
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COMPTON, A., BETHE, H. Composition of Cosmic Rays. Nature 134, 734–735 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1038/134734b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/134734b0
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