The use of high-frequency filters in the investigation of the coloured-random-noise properties of cosmic-ray data.

This paper investigates the influence of high-frequency filtering the background white noise on the determination of the coloured-random-noise properties of cosmic-ray experimental signals. We consider fractal methods (Grassberger-Procaccia method, scaling exponent method and fractal length method) and statistical methods (comparison with the Gaussian curve, and the multivariate scaling-analysis technique). The investigation is carried out using two experimental time series with different colour (spectral indices α=1.6 and α=1.2) and their computer simulations of pure noise-free coloured-random-noise signals. The results of the investigation is that the use of high-frequency filtering allows the algorithms employed in the various analyses to see the physical characteristics of the particular data set; the procedure should be reserved, however, to researchers with a good experience in the methods of fractal analysis so that they can identify and discard the artifacts introduced by the truncation applied to the power spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]