Open AccessSimulation of particle fluxes and cosmogenic nuclide production in the Earth's atmosphere
Author(s) -
Masarik J.,
Beer J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/1998jd200091
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , cosmic ray , cosmogenic nuclide , earth's magnetic field , neutron , physics , neutron monitor , computational physics , nuclide , nuclear physics , particle (ecology) , proton , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , magnetic field , geology , meteorology , oceanography , quantum mechanics
A purely physical model for the simulation of cosmic ray particle interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and subsequent production and transport of secondary particles is presented. Neutron and proton spectra as a function of the coordinate in the atmosphere were calculated using a GEANT / MCNP‐based code system. The calculated neutron fluxes are in good agreement with experimental data based on neutron monitor measurements. These fluxes, together with experimental or evaluated cross sections, were used to calculate the production rates of 3 H, 7 Be, 10 Be 14 C, and 36 Cl. The dependencies of these production rates on solar activity and geomagnetic field intensity were investigated in detail. The obtained production rates agree well with most published experimental and theoretical values. Possible reasons for some differences are discussed.