Detection of positrons with the AMS-02 detector and phenomenological implications

• Grant number: 16/25202-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2017
• End date: January 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Manuela Vecchi
• Grantee: Maria Carolina Kherlakian
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/19149-7 - Indirect dark matter search with the AMS-02 detector, AP.JP

Abstract

Electrons and positrons constitute only a tiny fraction of about 1 per cent of cosmic radiation, however their detection brings very fruitful insights on the origin and propagation of cosmic rays. The goal of the present project is to introduce the student to the context of the AMS-02 Collaboration, by performing the measurement of the positron fraction up to the TeV region. This is a very relevant measurement that has implications also in dark matter search. (AU)