Cosmic-ray electrons and positrons from 1 to 100 GeV: Measurements with heat and their interpretation

M. A. DuVernois, S. W. Barwick, J. J. Beatty, A. Bhattacharyya, C. R. Bower, C. J. Chaput, S. Coutu, G. A. De Nolfo, D. M. Lowder, S. McKee, D. Müller, J. A. Musser, S. L. Nutter, E. Schneider, S. P. Swordy, G. Tarlé, A. D. Tomasch, E. Torbet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

252 Scopus citations

Abstract

Measurements of the energy spectra of negative electrons and positrons have been performed with the High-Energy Antimatter Telescope (HEAT) in two balloon flights - 1994 May from Fort Sumner, NM, and 1995 August from Lynn Lake, Manitoba. We present the combined data set from these two flights, covering the energy range 1-100 GeV. We compare our data with results from other groups and discuss the data in the context of diffusive propagation models. There is some evidence that primary electrons above 10 GeV and cosmic-ray nuclei exhibit the same energy spectrum at the source, but that the source spectrum becomes harder at lower energy. Within the experimental uncertainties, the intensity of positrons is consistent with a purely secondary origin, due to nuclear interactions in interstellar space.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)296-303
Number of pages8
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume559
Issue number1 PART 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 20 2001

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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