Modified hadronic interactions in 3-dimensional simulations

TL;DR

This paper introduces a 3D simulation framework to test how ad-hoc modifications of hadronic interaction parameters affect air shower observables, enhancing the analysis capabilities beyond traditional 1D models.

Contribution

It extends existing 1D simulation tools to full 3D, allowing flexible and comprehensive testing of hadronic interaction modifications in cosmic ray air showers.

Findings

Validated the ONEXD framework for 3D simulations.

Demonstrated consistency of 3D modifications with previous 1D results.

Highlighted the importance of 3D analysis for multiple parameter modifications.

Abstract

We present a method to test the impact of ad-hoc modifications of some of the generic parameters of hadronic interactions -- cross section, elasticity, and multiplicity -- on any observable quantity using full 3-dimensional simulations of extensive air showers induced by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Our approach not only extends the existing 1-dimensional tools to three dimensions, but also introduces more flexible features to better respond to the needs of both theory and experiment. We first thoroughly validate the \conexD framework for the simulation of both longitudinal and lateral features of air showers, in particular for a non-standard configuration of the framework in which different energy thresholds for modifications are applied. Moreover, we show that the implementations of the ad-hoc modifications in this configuration are consistent with the previous one-dimensional simulations. Lastly, we discuss the importance of studying the interaction modifications in three dimensions and the effects of parallel modifications of multiple parameters.