- #1
Anchovy
- 99
- 2
In the context of cosmic rays?
Muons resulting from charmed particle decays and other so-called prompt or direct processes, often referred to as X-processes, do not manifest the zenith angle dependence which is characteristic for muons from so-called normal processes, i.e., from pion and kaon decays
High-energy collisions can produce heavy quarks, typically as quark+antiquark pair.Anchovy said:Ahh, good find. So there are short-lived particles containing c quarks in the atmosphere (which ones specifically and what are they doing there in the first place?) that rapidly decay (hence 'prompt') to muons.
Anchovy said:So there are short-lived particles containing c quarks in the atmosphere (which ones specifically and what are they doing there in the first place?)
A prompt muon is a type of muon particle that is produced directly from the decay of other particles, rather than from the decay of other muons. They are usually created in high-energy collisions, such as those that occur in particle accelerators.
Prompt muons are different from other muons in that they are produced directly from the decay of other particles, rather than from the decay of other muons. They also have higher energies and shorter lifetimes compared to other types of muons.
Prompt muons play a crucial role in particle physics research as they can provide important information about the properties and interactions of other particles. They are also used to study high-energy collisions and to test theories in particle physics.
Prompt muons are detected and measured using specialized detectors, such as tracking chambers and calorimeters, which are designed to identify and measure the energy and trajectory of particles. These detectors are often used in conjunction with particle accelerators or other high-energy experiments.
While prompt muons are primarily used in particle physics research, they also have some practical applications. For example, they can be used in medical imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans, and in geophysical studies to image the interior of the Earth.