US-Poland Research on Nucleus-Nucleus Interaction and Ultra-high Energy Cosmic Ray Composition

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The primary objective of this U.S.-Poland research project between Dr. John Wefel of Louisiana State University and Dr. W. Wolter of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Krakow, is to measure highest energy events in order to build an accurate, normalized, pioneering data set useful in determining the composition of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. The researchers will emphasize obtaining statistically significant information on the events of high multiplicity, high energy density and high transverse momentum particle production as observed in balloon experiments using nuclear emulsion techniques. Results should contribute to our knowledge of high energy nuclear interactions, particularly nucleus- nucleus collisions, and ultra-high energy particle astrophysics. In turn these incremental findings may add to current scientific efforts to explain extreme conditions believed to have existed in the early universe. This project in elementary particle physics research fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling experts in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.