Measurement of the cosmic ray all-particle and light-component energy spectra with the ARGO-YBJ experiment

TL;DR

The ARGO-YBJ experiment measured cosmic ray energy spectra for all particles and light components from 5 TeV to 5 PeV, confirming previous results and observing a spectral bend below 1 PeV.

Contribution

First high-resolution measurement of light-component cosmic ray spectrum up to 5 PeV with ARGO-YBJ, confirming previous data and revealing a spectral bend.

Findings

All-particle spectrum agrees with models and past measurements.

Light-component spectrum shows a bend below 1 PeV.

Measurements are consistent with direct detection data.

Abstract

ARGO-YBJ preliminary results of the measurements of the all-particle and light-component (i.e. protons and helium) cosmic ray energy spectra between approximately 5 TeV and 5 PeV are reported and discussed. The resulting all-particle spectrum (measured in the energy range 100TeV - 3PeV) is in good agreement with both theoretical parametrizations and previous measurements. The light-component (i.e. p + He) has been measured with high resolution up to about 5 PeV. The preliminary result is in agreement with direct measurements and then show a clear indication of a bending below 1PeV. Improvements of event selection/reconstruction with the full statistics and a complete analysis of systematic uncertainties is currently under way.