Measurement of cosmic muon charge ratio with the Large Volume Detector

TL;DR

This study measures the cosmic muon charge ratio at great depth using the Large Volume Detector, providing precise data on muon charge asymmetry at energies above 1.3 TeV.

Contribution

First measurement of the muon charge ratio at such depth and energy using the LVD in Gran Sasso, employing decay analysis of muons in detector materials.

Findings

Muon charge ratio k = 1.26 ± 0.04 (stat) ± 0.11 (sys)

Measurement confirms muon charge asymmetry at high energies and depths

Provides data for cosmic ray and atmospheric muon models

Abstract

The charge ratio ${k \equiv \mu^+/\mu^-}$ for atmospheric muons has been measured using Large Volume Detector (LVD) in the INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy (minimal depth is 3000 m w.e.). To reach this depth muons should have the energy at the sea level greater than 1.3 TeV. The muon charge ratio was defined using the number of the decays of stopping positive muons in the LVD iron structure and the decays of positive and negative muons in scintillator. We have obtained the value of the muon charge ratio ${k}$ ${= 1.26 \pm 0.04(stat) \pm 0.11(sys)}$.