The Muon Charge Ratio In Cosmic Ray Air Showers

Abstract

Various aspects of studies of the charge ratio of cosmic ray muons are reviewed. In particular the muon charge ratio of the lateral muon density distributions in single EAS is considered by simulations, in context of recent proposals to measure this observable in coincidence with EAS observations. Effects of the hadronic interaction do not lead to significant differences of the total µ + and µ − content, while differences of the azimuthal variation of the muon densities of opposite charges and the azimuthal variation of the muon charge ratio appear to be very much pronounced, dependent on the direction of EAS incidence. This is due the influence of the geomagnetic field which induces similar effects in radio emission from extended air showers.