Study of single muons with the Large Volume Detector at Gran Sasso Laboratory

TL;DR

This study analyzes over 3 million single muons detected at Gran Sasso to measure muon intensity at various depths, revealing spectral indices and neutrino-induced muon flux, with results compared to simulations and global data.

Contribution

It provides detailed measurements of muon intensity and spectrum at different depths, including neutrino-induced muons, based on a large underground dataset.

Findings

Muon spectral index of 2.76 b1 0.05 for atmospheric muons

Measured neutrino-induced muon flux at the detector

Muon intensity decreases with increasing depth

Abstract

The present study is based on the sample of about 3 mln single muons observed by LVD at underground Gran Sasso Laboratory during 36500 live hours from June 1992 to February 1998. We have measured the muon intensity at slant depths from 3 km w.e. to 20 km w.e. Most events are high energy downward muons produced by meson decay in the atmosphere. The analysis of these muons has revealed the power index of pion and kaon spectrum: 2.76 \pm 0.05. The reminders are horizontal muons produced by the neutrino interactions in the rock surrounding LVD. The value of this flux is obtained. The results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations and the world data.