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Observation of thundercloud-related gamma rays and neutrons in Tibet

Authors :
Tsuchiya, H.
Hibino, K.
Kawata, K.
Hotta, N.
Tateyama, N.
Ohnishi, M.
Takita, M.
Chen, D.
Huang, J.
Miyasaka, M.
Kondo, I.
Takahashi, E.
Shimoda, S.
Yamada, Y.
Lu, H.
Zhang, J. L.
Yu, X. X.
Tan, Y. H.
Nie, S. M.
Munakata, K.
Enoto, T.
Makishima, K.
Source :
Phys. Rev. D 85, 092006 (2012)
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

During the 2010 rainy season in Yangbajing (4300 m above sea level) in Tibet, China, a long-duration count enhancement associated with thunderclouds was detected by a solar neutron telescope and neutron monitors installed at the Yangbajing Comic Ray Observatory. The event, lasting for $\sim$40 min, was observed on July 22, 2010. The solar neutron telescope detected significant $\gamma$-ray signals with energies $>$40 MeV in the event. Such a prolonged high-energy event has never been observed in association with thunderclouds, clearly suggesting that electron acceleration lasts for 40 min in thunderclouds. In addition, Monte Carlo simulations showed that $>$10-MeV $\gamma$ rays largely contribute to the neutron monitor signals, while $>$1-keV neutrons produced via a photonuclear reaction contribute relatively less to the signals. This result suggests that enhancements of neutron monitors during thunderstorms are not necessarily a clear evidence for neutron production, as previously thought.<br />Comment: Phys. Rev. D accepted

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Phys. Rev. D 85, 092006 (2012)
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1204.2578
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.85.092006