A Simple Parameterization of the Cosmic-Ray Muon Momentum Spectra at the Surface as a Function of Zenith Angle

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simple, universal parameterization of cosmic-ray muon momentum spectra at the surface as a function of zenith angle, aiding neutrino experiment background calculations.

Contribution

A new straightforward parameterization method for cosmic-ray muon spectra that applies across all zenith angles and momenta.

Findings

Provides a universal calculation of muon intensity at the surface.

Simplifies background rate estimations for neutrino experiments.

Enhances understanding of angular dependence of low momentum muons.

Abstract

The designs of many neutrino experiments rely on calculations of the background rates arising from cosmic-ray muons at shallow depths. Understanding the angular dependence of low momentum cosmic-ray muons at the surface is necessary for these calculations. Heuristically, from examination of the data, a simple parameterization is proposed, based on a straighforward scaling variable. This in turn, allows a universal calculation of the differential muon intensity at the surface for all zenith angles and essentially all momenta.