Zenith Angle Dependence of Prompt Muon and Neutrino Fluxes in High Energy Cosmic Ray Showers

Upon entering Earth's atmosphere high energy cosmic rays generate a shower of particles in which high energy muons and neutrinos are created. These high energy ($\ge$ 10$^6$ TeV) particles can mimic signals coming from astrophysical sources currently hunted for by neutrino telescopes. In particular, the prompt component of such showers is important as prompt muons and neutrinos dominate over conventional particles at higher energies. We simulate the flux of prompt muons and neutrinos using pQCD calculations with NLO corrections to charm production cross sections. Prompt muon and neutrino fluxes for UHERC with non-zero zenith angles will be presented. Implications for backgrounds at neutrino telescopes will also be discussed.