Inelastic proton-air cross section in U.H.E

TL;DR

This paper calculates the inelastic proton-air cross section using the Glauber model, comparing accelerator data with cosmic ray experiments and simulations to improve understanding of high-energy cosmic ray interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a method to estimate the proton-air cross section at ultra-high energies using the Glauber model with accelerator data as input.

Findings

Good agreement with cosmic ray data

Validation of Glauber model at high energies

Enhanced understanding of cosmic ray interactions

Abstract

We calculate the inelastic proton-air cross section by means of the Glauber model. As input, we use accelerator experimental data on the total proton-proton cross section and compare with cosmic ray experimental data and Monte Carlo simulations. Contribution to the 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. HE 1.3.13. August, 1999.