Constraints of hadronic interaction models from the cosmic muon observations

Abstract

A simple method of the vertical muon energy spectrum simulations has been suggested. These calculations have been carried out in terms of various models of hadronic interactions. The most energetic π±-mesons and K±-mesons produced in hadron interactions contribute mainly to this energy spectrum of muons due to the very steep energy spectrum of the primary particles. So, some constraints on the hadronic interaction models may be set from a comparison of calculated results with cosmic data on the vertical muon energy spectrum. This comparison showed that the most energetic secondary particles production is too high in the case of the QGSJET II-04 model and rather low in the case of the QGSJET II-03 model. These conclusion have been supported by the LHC data.