Cosmic Ray Signatures of Multi-W Processes

Abstract

We explore the discovery potential of cosmic ray physics experiments for Standard Model processes involving the nonperturbative production of O(30) weak gauge bosons. We demonstrate an experimental insensitivity to proton-induced processes and emphasize the importance of neutrino-induced processes. The Fly's Eye currently constrains the largest region of parameter space characterizing multi-W phenomena if a cosmic neutrino flux exists at levels suggested by recent models of active galactic nuclei. MACRO (DUMAND) can constrain or observe additional regions by searching for 1-100 (1-10) characteristic near-vertical (near-horizontal) spatially compact energetic muon bundles per year.