SMuK 2023 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 28: Forward Physics

T 28.1: Talk

Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 17:00–17:15, HSZ/0101

QCD cross-section measurements for astroparticle physics with the LHCb experiment — Johannes Albrecht, Hans Dembinski, and •Lars Kolk — TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany

A long-standing issue in the field of cosmic-ray research is the discrepancy between the observed and simulated numbers of muons in cosmic-ray-induced hadronic showers in Earth’s atmosphere, which are called air showers. This discrepancy is referred to as the Muon Puzzle, as the required changes to existing models in simulation would violate either data constraints or the consistency between air shower simulations and other air shower features.
One explanation for this inconsistency lies in universal strangeness enhancement. Measurements from the ALICE and LHCb experiments show first evidence that this enhancement could truly be universal and thus potentially solve the Muon Puzzle.
To further study the impact on forward produced hadrons and to test this universality, proton-ion data from the LHCb fixed target mode are analysed. Of particular interest are proton-oxygen collisions, as they are a good proxy for air showers. Since proton-oxygen data are not yet available, the first step is to bracket oxygen with helium and neon. The current status of this analysis is presented.

Supported by DFG (SFB 1491)