Probing hadronic interactions with measurements from the Pierre Auger Observatory

TL;DR

This paper discusses how measurements from the Pierre Auger Observatory provide insights into ultra-high-energy hadronic interactions, revealing discrepancies between observed muon data and existing models at energies beyond current accelerators.

Contribution

It presents the latest experimental results on hadronic interactions at ultra-high energies, highlighting tensions with current theoretical models.

Findings

Muon data shows discrepancies with models at high energies

Measurements extend over three decades in energy

Data challenges existing hadronic interaction models

Abstract

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest facility in the world to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. It has a hybrid detection technique that combines the observation of the longitudinal development of extensive air showers and the measurement of their particles at the ground. This capability has opened the possibility to probe hadronic interactions taking place at energies well beyond those accessible by human-made accelerators. In this report, we present a selection of the latest results on hadronic interactions with measurements from the Pierre Auger Observatory. These data span over three decades in energy, showing the tension between data from the muon component of air showers and predictions based on the most updated hadronic interaction models.