He³ nuclei in the low energy primary cosmic radiation

Abstract

The flux of He³ nuclei and the ratio He³/(He³+He⁴) in the low energy primary cosmic radiation have been determined using a stack of nuclear emulsions exposed at 3.1 g. cm.^-2 of atmospheric depth from Fort Churchill, Canada, in June 1963. The grain-densityversus residual range method was used to determine the masses of the helium nuclei. Using a sample of 146 helium nuclei whose masses could be identified, the ratio He³/(He³+He⁴) is obtained as 0.14±0.04 for the kinetic energy interval 115-210 MeV per nucleon and 0.43±0.11 for the rigidity interval 0.85-1.05 BV. The differential fluxes of He³ nuclei are determined as 0.017±0.006, 0.045±0.015, and 0.054±0.017 particles/M². Sr. Sec. MeV/nucleon, in the kinetic energy intervals of 117-183, 183-217, and 217-250 MeV/nucleon respectively. These results are compared with those of other investigators. From the results of the present work the amount of matter traversed in space by the primary cosmic ray helium nuclei of energy 115-210 MeV/nucleon is obtained as 4.7±1.8 gm. cm.^-2 of hydrogen.