On geometrical interpretation of alignment phenomenon

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the alignment phenomenon in cosmic ray experiments using a geometrical approach, revealing that selection procedures and energy thresholds partly cause the observed high alignment.

Contribution

It introduces a geometrical interpretation of the alignment phenomenon, highlighting the influence of selection criteria and energy thresholds on observed alignments.

Findings

Alignment can result from selection procedures and energy thresholds.

Transverse momentum conservation influences alignment.

High degree of alignment may not solely indicate new physics.

Abstract

The observed alignment of spots in the x-ray films in cosmic ray emulsion experiments is analyzed and interpreted in the framework of geometrical approach. It is shown that the high degree of alignment can appear partly due to the selection procedure of most energetic particles itself and the threshold on the energy deposition together with the transverse momentum conservation.