Measurement of the atmospheric muon charge ratio with the OPERA detector

Mauri, Nicoletta (2011) Measurement of the atmospheric muon charge ratio with the OPERA detector, [Dissertation thesis], Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna. Dottorato di ricerca in Fisica, 23 Ciclo.
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Abstract

The atmospheric muon charge ratio, defined as the number of positive over negative charged muons, is an interesting quantity for the study of high energy hadronic interactions in atmosphere and the nature of the primary cosmic rays. The measurement of the charge ratio in the TeV muon energy range allows to study the hadronic interactions in kinematic regions not yet explored at accelerators. The OPERA experiment is a hybrid electronic detector/emulsion apparatus, located in the underground Gran Sasso Laboratory, at an average depth of 3800 meters water equivalent (m.w.e.). OPERA is the first large magnetized detector that can measure the muon charge ratio at the LNGS depth, with a wide acceptance for cosmic ray muons coming from above. In this thesis, the muon charge ratio is measured using the spectrometers of the OPERA detector in the highest energy region. The charge ratio was computed separately for single and for multiple muon events, in order to select different primary cosmic ray samples in energy and composition. The measurement as a function of the surface muon energy is used to infer parameters characterizing the particle production in atmosphere, that will be used to constrain Monte Carlo predictions. Finally, the experimental results are interpreted in terms of cosmic ray and particle physics models.

Abstract
Tipologia del documento
Tesi di dottorato
Autore
Mauri, Nicoletta
Supervisore
Dottorato di ricerca
Scuola di dottorato
Scienze matematiche, fisiche ed astronomiche
Ciclo
23
Coordinatore
Settore disciplinare
URN:NBN
Data di discussione
20 Maggio 2011
URI

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