The cross sections for tritium production by 2.2-Bev protons on nitrogen and oxygen are measured to be 28±4 and 33±4 mb, respectively. The cross sections for neutron production by 2.2-Bev protons are measured to be 1000±400 mb for nitrogen and 650±250 mb for oxygen. These results indicate that cosmic-ray primaries produce approximately 0.05 tritons/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ sec and 1-2 neutrons/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ sec in the first nuclear interactions with the atmosphere.

• Received 26 October 1954

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.97.780