Antimatter in Cosmic Rays

Abstract

We have briefly reviewed the available information on the antimatter content in the universe deduced from astronomical observations and examined some of the theories relating to symmetric cosmology, in order to understand the present universe. The importance of studying antimatter in cosmic rays has been looked into and the experiments to detect positrons, antiprotons and antinuclei have been described briefly. The results from these experiments are presented. We have discussed the interpretations of these observations critically from the point of view of antimatter content in the universe and with regard to the understanding of the propagation of cosmic rays. Some of the important implications of these results have been highlighted and the need for future investigation has been brought out.