Energy spectra of secondary gamma rays at different atmospheric depths

The CERN Intersecting Storage Ring (ISR) data for p+p to pi /sup 0/+X inclusive reaction have been used to derive the spectrum of secondary gamma rays at the top of the atmosphere. The measured primary nucleon spectrum of the Goddard Space Flight Group has been taken as a nucleon source spectrum. Using the cascade theory, the gamma ray spectra at the atmospheric depths 540, 650, and 735 g cm/sup -2/ have been calculated. The results are approximately in accord with the emulsion chamber data at Mt Chacaltaya, Mt. Norikura, and Mt. Fuji in the spectral range 0.2-4 TeV. (10 refs).