Abstract
IN a recent paper, Euler and Heisenberg1 have thoroughly discussed the hypothesis that the hard component of the cosmic rays consists of 'mesotrons' produced in the upper layers of the atmosphere by primary electrons or photons and then disintegrating, as predicted by Yukawa's theory of nuclear forces, with a life-time Ï of the order of 10-6 sec. (Ï is relative to a system in which the particle is at rest; whilst in a system in which the particle is moving with a velocity v = βc the life-time becomes2.)
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Euler, H., and Heisenberg, W., Ergeb. exak. Naturwiss., 17, 1 (1938). The same point of view has been developed in a discussion at the Physical Institute in Rome. I am indebted to Prof. Bernardini for telling me of this. See also Blackett, P., NATURE, 142, 692 (1938).
Bhabha, H. J., NATURE, 141, 117 (1938).
Ehmert, A., Z. Phys., 106, 751 (1937).
Rossi, B., Ricerca Scient., 51, 579 (1934); Phys. Rev., 45, 212 (1934); De Benedetti, S., Ricerca Scient., 51, 590 (1934); Phys. Rev., 45, 214 (1934).
Blackett, P. M. S., see letter above. I am indebted to Prof. Blackett for a discussion on this point at the conference on cosmic rays held in Copenhagen on Oct. 25–29.
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ROSSI, B. Further Evidence for the Radioactive Decay of Mesotrons. Nature 142, 993 (1938). https://doi.org/10.1038/142993a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/142993a0
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