Effect of near-earth thunderstorms electric field on the intensity of ground cosmic ray positrons/electrons in Tibet

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to explore how near-earth thunderstorms electric fields influence ground cosmic ray positron/electron intensities, revealing dependence on electric field strength, polarity, and shower parameters, aligning with experimental data.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the effects of atmospheric electric fields on secondary cosmic ray particles, enhancing understanding of particle acceleration mechanisms during thunderstorms.

Findings

Positron/electron intensities increase in negative and strong positive fields.

Intensity decreases in moderate positive fields (0-600 V/cm) for vertical showers.

Simulation results agree with ground-based experimental observations.

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to study the correlation between the ground cosmic ray intensity and near-earth thunderstorms electric field at YBJ (4300 m a.s.l., Tibet, China). The variations of the secondary cosmic ray intensity are found to be highly dependent on the strength and polarity of the electric field. In negative fields and in positive fields greater than 600 V/cm, the total number of ground comic ray positrons and electrons increases with increasing electric field strength. And these values increase more obviously when involving a shower with lower primary energy or a higher zenith angle. While in positive fields ranging from 0 to 600 V/cm, the total number of ground comic ray positrons and electrons declines and the amplitude is up to 3.1% for vertical showers. A decrease of intensity occurs for inclined showers in positive fields less than 500 V/cm, which is accompanied by smaller amplitudes. In this paper, the intensity changes are discussed, especially concerning the decreases in positive electric fields. Our simulation results are in good agreement with ground-based experimental results obtained from ARGO-YBJ and the Carpet air shower array. These results could be helpful in understanding the acceleration mechanisms of secondary charged particles caused by an atmospheric electric field.