The effect of model assumptions on computations of cosmic ray induced ionization in the atmosphere

The longitudinal profile of atmospheric cascades is sensitive to the energy, mass of the primary particle and to atmospheric state. In this work are compared ionization yield functions Y for winter, summer and US standard profiles of Earth's atmosphere. The various profiles are obtained on the basis of CORSIKA 6.52 code simulations using FLUKA 2006 and QGSJET II hadronic interaction subroutines. The energy deposit of proton induced cascade processes in the atmosphere is calculated for different types of atmospheres. The ion pair production in the atmosphere and the contribution of the different shower components, precisely the electromagnetic, muon and hadronic is estimated according applied atmospheric types. In addition simulations with different hadronic interaction models GHEISHA 2002, FLUKA 2006 and QGSJET II are carried out. The ion pair production in the atmosphere and the contribution of different shower components is estimated according the assumed hadronic interaction models. The yield function Y for total ionization, respectively, for the different components is compared. The observed differences are widely discussed. General conclusion concerning the application of various atmospheric profiles and hadron interaction models is carried out.