Latitude Survey of Neutrons and Muons to Determine Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing Yield Functions

Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) is a ground‐based technique that utilizes epithermal neutron measurements as a proxy for environmental hydrogen content. Similarly to other ground‐based cosmic ray detectors (e.g., neutron monitors), CRNS detectors are affected by the solar cycle and space weather events. Typically, these effects must be corrected, but CRNS detectors have also been specifically used to observe space weather. The specific sensitivity of CRNS detectors to the primary spectrum and the relationship to other cosmic ray measurements is not fully understood. A latitude survey was undertaken during the maximum of solar cycle 25, utilizing a mini neutron monitor, two CRNS detectors of different design and a muon telescope onboard the German Research Vessel Polarstern. The observations are presented and used to derive differential response functions and yield functions for two neutron detectors. While the differential response, between neutron detectors is similar, it strongly deviates between muon and neutron detectors.