Testing of the VENUS 4.12, DPMJET 2.55, QGSJET II-03 and SIBYLL 2.3 hadronic interaction models via help of the atmospheric vertical muon spectra

Uncertainties of the model energy spectra of the most energetic secondary π ± -mesons (and K ± -mesons) are discussed. Computer simulations of the partial energy spectra of the atmospheric vertical muons induced by primary cosmic particles with various fixed energies in interval 10 2 −10 7 GeV in terms of the VENUS 4.12, DPMJET 2.55, QGSJET II-03 and SIBYLL 2.3 models had been carried out with help of CORSIKA package. These partial spectra should be convoluted with the contemporary spectra of the primary cosmic particles. Results of simulations are compared with the contemporary atmospheric vertical muon flux data. Comparison shows that all models underestimate production of secondary π ± -mesons (and K ± -mesons) by factor of ∼ 2 at the most high energies. This underestimation induces more rapid development of extensive air showers in the atmosphere and results in uncertainties in estimates of energy and composition of the primary cosmic particles.