The LHCf experiment: present status and physics results

TL;DR

The LHCf experiment measures neutral particle production in high-energy proton-proton collisions to improve cosmic ray models, with recent results from 13 TeV data analysis.

Contribution

This paper reports the current status and initial analysis results of the LHCf experiment at 13 TeV, focusing on neutral particle spectra in the very forward region.

Findings

First analysis results from 13 TeV proton-proton collisions.

Precise measurements of neutral particle spectra in the forward region.

Data to help tune hadronic interaction models for cosmic ray studies.

Abstract

The main aim of the LHCf experiment is to provide precise measurements of the production spectra relative to neutral particle produced by high energy proton-ion collisions in the very forward region. This information is necessary in order to test and tune hadronic interaction models used by ground-based cosmic rays experiments. In order to reach this goal, LHCf makes use of two small sampling calorimeters installed in the LHC tunnel at $\pm 140$ m from IP1, able to detect neutral particles having pseudo-rapidity $\eta > 8.4$. In this paper we will present the current status of the LHCf experiment, regarding in particular the first analysis results from data taking relative to p-p collisions at $\sqrt{s} = $ 13 TeV.