Physics & Astronomy ETDs

James H. Jett

Publication Date

Spring 5-26-1960

Abstract

Extensive air showers have been studied as part of cosmic ray phenomenology since 1938. They are made up of electrons, photons, and many other particles which traverse the earth's atmosphere toward the earth. The showers are initiated by high energy cosmic rays. The primary cosmic rays are nuclei which have been stripped of their orbital electrons.

To this end an experiment is underway in the University of New Mexico Physics Department to determine the amount of energy transferred from the core of the shower to the electron-photon cascade. By using a detector telescope with appropriate absorber between the two detectors, the amount of energy transferred can be determined. To do this work it is necessary to know where the core of the shower is located relative to the detector telescope system and how large the shower is in terms of the total number of particles in the shower. The first part of this thesis deals with a practical method of locating the axis of the shower.

Degree Name

Physics

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Physics & Astronomy

First Committee Member (Chair)

John Root Green

Second Committee Member

Roy Thomas

Third Committee Member

Victor H. Regener

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

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