Cosmic-ray atmospheric electric field effects

Experimental data on the atmospheric electric field effect in the cosmic-ray muon component are discussed on the basis of the general theory of cosmic-ray meteorological effects. In this framework, we develop the theory of atmospheric electric field effects in the hard- and soft-muons of secondary cosmic rays and in the neutron-monitor counting rates as well. We show that the experimental results can be understood on the basis of this theory. We also show that a sufficient atmospheric electric field effect in the cosmic-ray neutron component is to be expected because the neutron monitors work as analyzers of soft muons and really detect only negative muons as well as neutrons.