A Monte Carlo Calculation of Atmospheric Muon and Neutrino Fluxes

Abstract

Production of muons and neutrinos in cosmic ray interactions with the atmosphere has been investigated with a cascade simulation program based on Lund Monte Carlo programs. The resulting `conventional' muon and neutrino fluxes (from $π,K$ decays) agree well with earlier calculations, whereas the improved charm particle treatment used in this study gives significantly lower `prompt' fluxes compared to earlier estimates. This implies better prospects for detecting very high energy neutrinos from cosmic sources.