arXiv subjects

S. J. Sciutto

Publications and source records attributed to S. J. Sciutto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

AIRES: A system for air shower simulations

The AIRES (AIR-shower Extended Simulations) system is a set of programs and subroutines to realistically simulate particle showers produced after the incidence of high energy cosmic rays on the Earth's atmosphere, and to manage all the related output data. The current version includes a series of improvements with respect to previous releases that are explained in detail in this manual and/or the web site aires.fisica.unlp.edu.ar from where the software can be downloaded. Among such improvements, it is worth mentioning: (i) High energy hadronic collisions can be simulated usign the the well-known hadronic models EPOS, QGSJET, or SIBYLL, all of them in their LHC-tuned versions. (ii) Detailed simulation of unstable hadron decays. (iii) The inclusion of a series of pre-compiled, ready to use, external special particle modules, that are characteristic of AIRES since its early versions. Such modules allow, for example, to easily simulate multi-primary particle showers. (iv) An exhaustive revision of the atmospheric profile models, including annual average profiles for geographcal locations corresponding to currently in operation ultra-high energu shower observatories; and also the capability of accepting user-defined custom atmospheric profiles.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2019

Air showers, hadronic models, and muon production

We report on a study about some characteristics of muon production during the development of extended air showers initiated by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Using simulations with the recent new version of the AIRES air shower simulation system, we analyze and discuss on the observed discrepancies between experimental measurements and simulated data.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

LHC updated hadronic interaction packages analyzed up to cosmic-ray energies

The results of high energy simulated experiments where a given hadronic particle impacts on a given target are statistically analyzed. The energy range of the projectiles goes from below the LHC scale up to the highest cosmic ray energies. This study was carried out by using the pre- and post-LHC versions of the hadronic interaction models QGSJET, EPOS and SIBYLL. Our analysis indicates that the post-LHC models present smaller differences in various quantities that characterize the secondary particles produced after the hadronic collisions, in comparison with the corresponding differences that are found comparing the respective old (pre-LHC) versions of the hadronic models. However, it is also found that there exist some discrepancies among models that persist even at the LHC energy scale, that call for further theoretical investigation. An additional analysis of the impact that different modeling of hadronic collisions has on air shower development is also included. It consists of a detailed study of the impact of the different pre- and post-LHC versions of the hadronic models considered, for relevant observables like the muon production depth distribution.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

A new observable in extensive air showers

We find that the ratio r_{mu e} of the muon to the electromagnetic component of an extended air shower at the ground level provides an indirect measure of the depth X_{max} of the shower maximum. This result, obtained with the air-shower code AIRES, is independent of the hadronic model used in the simulation. We show that the value of r_{mu e} in a particular shower discriminates its proton or iron nature with a 98% efficiency. We also show that the eventual production of forward heavy quarks inside the shower may introduce anomalous values of r_{mu e} in isolated events.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

Photoproduction total cross section and shower development

The total photoproduction cross section at ultra-high energies is obtained using a model based on QCD minijets and soft-gluon resummation and the ansatz that infrared gluons limit the rise of total cross sections. This cross section is introduced into the Monte Carlo system AIRES to simulate extended air-showers initiated by cosmic ray photons. The impact of the new photoproduction cross section on common shower observables, especially those related to muon production, is compared with previous results.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

Production and propagation of heavy hadrons in air-shower simulators

Very energetic charm and bottom hadrons may be produced in the upper atmosphere when a primary cosmic ray or the leading hadron in an extensive air shower collide with a nucleon. At $E\approx 10^8$ GeV their decay length becomes of the order of 10 km, implying that they tend to interact in the air instead of decaying. Since the inelasticity in these collisions is much smaller than the one in proton and pion collisions, there could be rare events where a heavy-hadron component transports a significant amount of energy deep into the atmosphere. We have developed a module for the detailed simulation of these processes and have included it in a new version of the air shower simulator AIRES. We study the frequency, the energy distribution and the depth of charm and bottom production, as well as the depth and the energy distribution of these quarks when they decay. As an illustration, we consider the production and decay of tau leptons (from $D_s$ decays) and the lepton flux at PeV energies from a 30 EeV proton primary. The proper inclusion of charm and bottom hadrons in AIRES opens the possibility to search for air-shower observables that are sensitive to heavy quark effects.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Testing hadronic interaction packages at cosmic ray energies

A comparative analysis of the secondary particles output of the main hadronic interaction packages used in simulations of extensive air showers is presented. Special attention is given to the study of events with very energetic leading secondary particles, including diffractive interactions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2004

Influence of diffractive interactions on cosmic ray air showers

A comparative study of commonly used hadronic collision simulation packages is presented. The characteristics of the products of hadron-nucleus collisions are analyzed from a general perspective, but focusing on their correlation with diffractive processes. One of the purposes of our work is to give quantitative estimations of the impact that different characteristics of the hadronic models have on air shower observables. Several sets of shower simulations using different settings for the parameters controlling the diffractive processes are used to analyze the correlations between diffractivity and shower observables. We find that the relative probability of diffractive processes during the shower development have a non negligible influence over the longitudinal profile as well as the distribution of muons at ground level. The implications on experimental data analysis are discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

The influence of the geomagnetic field and of the uncertainties in the primary spectrum on the development of the muon flux in the atmosphere

In this paper we study the sensitivity of the flux of atmospheric muons to uncertainties in the primary cosmic ray spectrum and to the treatment of the geomagnetic field in a calculation. We use the air shower simulation program AIRES to make the calculation for two different primary spectra and under several approximations to the propagation of charged particles in the geomagnetic field. The results illustrate the importance of accurate modelling of the geomagnetic field effects. We propose a high and a low fit of the proton and helium fluxes, and calculate the muon fluxes with these different inputs. Comparison with measurements of the muon flux by the CAPRICE experiment shows a slight preference for the higher primary cosmic ray flux parametrization.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Analysis of Sunspot Number Fluctuations

Monthly averages of the sunspot number visible on the sun, observed from 1749, Zurich Observatory, and from 1848 other observatories, have been analyzed. This time signal presents a frequency power spectra with a clear $1/f^α$ behavior with $α\simeq 0.8 \pm 0.2$. The well known cycle of approximately 11 years, clearly present in the spectrum, does not produce a sensible distortion of that behavior. The eventual characterization of the sunspot time series as a fractal is analyzed by means of the detrended fluctuation analysis. The jump size distribution of the signal is also studied.

nlin.AO↗

arXiv2003

Flux of atmospheric muons: Comparison between AIRES simulations and CAPRICE98 data

We report on a comparison between the flux of muons in the atmosphere measured by the CAPRICE98 experiment and simulations performed with the air shower simulation program AIRES. To reduce systematic uncertainties we have used as input the primary fluxes of protons and helium nuclei also measured by the CAPRICE98 experiment. Heavy nuclei are also taken into account in the primary flux, and their contribution to the muon flux is discussed. The results of the simulations show a very good agreement with the experimental data, at all altitudes and for all muon momenta. With the exception of a few isolated points, the relative differences between measured data and simulations are smaller than 20 %; and in all cases compatible with zero within two standard deviations. The influence of the input cosmic ray flux on the results of the simulations is also discussed. This report includes also an extensive analysis of the characteristics of the simulated fluxes.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2002

Extensive Air Shower Simulations at the Highest Energies

Air shower simulation programs are essential tools for the analysis of data from cosmic ray experiments and for planning the layout of new detectors. They are used to estimate the energy and mass of the primary particle. Unfortunately the model uncertainties translate directly into systematic errors in the energy and mass determination. Aiming at energies $> 10^{19}$ eV, the models have to be extrapolated far beyond the energies available at accelerators. On the other hand, hybrid measurement of ground particle densities and calorimetric shower energy, as will be provided by the Pierre Auger Observatory, will strongly constrain shower models. While the main uncertainty of contemporary models comes from our poor knowledge of the (soft) hadronic interactions at high energies, also electromagnetic interactions, low-energy hadronic interactions and the particle transport influence details of the shower development. We review here the physics processes and some of the computational techniques of air shower models presently used for highest energies, and discuss the properties and limitations of the models.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The AIRES system for air shower simulations. An update

A report on the characteristics of ultra-high energy air showers simulated with the current version of the AIRES program is presented. The AIRES system includes a fast simulating program, originally designed on the basis of the well-known MOCCA program, and progressively improved and tested. The AIRES algorithms are briefly described and some results coming from the simulations are analyzed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Extended Air Showers and Muon Interactions

The objective of this work is to report on the influence of muon interactions on the development of air showers initiated by astroparticles. We make a comparative study of the different theoretical approaches to muon bremsstrahlung and muonic pair production interactions. A detailed algorithm that includes all the relevant characteristics of such processes has been implemented in the AIRES air shower simulation system. We have simulated ultra high energy showers in different conditions in order to measure the influence of these muonic electromagnetic interactions. We have found that during the late stages of the shower development (well beyond the shower maximum) many global observables are significantly modified in relative terms when the mentioned interactions are taken into account. This is most evident in the case of the electromagnetic component of very inclined showers. On the other hand, our simulations indicate that the studied processes do not induce significant changes either in the position of the shower maximum or the structure of the shower front surface.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Muon Bremsstrahlung and Muonic Pair Production in Air Showers

The objective of this work is to report on the modifications in air shower development due to muon bremsstrahlung and muonic pair production. In order to do that we have implemented new muon bremsstrahlung and muonic pair production procedures in the AIRES air shower simulation system, and have used it to simulate ultra high energy showers in different conditions. The influence of the mentioned processes in the global development of the air shower is important for primary particles of large zenith angles, while they do not introduce significant changes in the position of the shower maximum.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Air Showers and Geomagnetic Field

The influence of the geomagnetic field on the development of air showers is studied. The well known International Geomagnetic Reference Field was included in the AIRES air shower simulation program as an auxiliary tool to allow calculating very accurate estimations of the geomagnetic field given the geographic coordinates, altitude above sea level and date of a given event. Our simulations indicate that the geomagnetic deflections alter significantly some shower observables like, for example, the lateral distribution of muons in the case of events with large zenith angles (larger than 75 degrees). On the other hand, such alterations seem not to be important for smaller zenith angles. Global observables like total numbers of particles or longitudinal development parameters do not present appreciable dependences on the geomagnetic deflections for all the cases that were studied.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Air Shower Simulations with the AIRES System

A report on the characteristics of ultra-high energy air showers simulated with the AIRES program is presented. The AIRES system includes a fast simulating program which is an improved version of the well-known MOCCA program. The AIRES algorithms are briefly described and a series of results coming from the simulations are analyzed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Extensive air showers rounded up by aires + sibyll/qgsjet

An analysis of the differences introduced by the hadronic interaction event generators during the development of the showers is presented. We have generated proton and nuclei induced air showers with energies up to $10^{20.5}$ eV, ``herded up'' by the code aires + sibyll/ qgsjet. The most relevant observables are taken into account for the comparison.

hep-ph↗