The isotopic composition of helium at high rigiditiesThe isotopic abundance distribution of the cosmic radiation at energies beyond 1 GeV/AMU can at the present time be determined only with the geomagnetic method. A balloon-borne instrument was flown for 12 hours near the geomagnetic equator to measure the relative abundance of the helium isotopes He-3 and He-4 around 12 GV rigidity. The sharp rigidity cut-off at equatorial latitudes permitted separation of the two isotopes using a high-resolution-gas Cerenkov counter. The experiment thus confirms the predicted sharp cut-off at those latitudes and demonstrates the potential for isotopic separation of other elements, once flights of longer duration can be made.
Document ID
19850040690
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Jordan, S. P. (Chicago Univ. Chicago, IL, United States)
Meyer, P. (Chicago, University Chicago, IL, United States)