Simulation and data analysis of air showers

• Grant number: 25/00124-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Elementary Particle Physics and Fields
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Vitor de Souza Filho
• Grantee: Nathan Mayer Hunhoff
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/01089-1 - Cherenkov Telescope Array: construction and first discoveries, AP.ESP

Abstract

This project focuses on advancing simulation and data analysis techniques for the study of extensive air showers (EAS) in astroparticle physics, leveraging the unique capabilities of the Pierre Auger and Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) Observatories. Extensive air showers, initiated by the interaction of high-energy cosmic rays and gamma rays with Earth's atmosphere, provide critical insights into the origins, composition, and propagation mechanisms of these particles. The student will study and develop simulation frameworks to accurately represent the longitudinal and lateral profiles of air showers. He will learn advanced computational techniques, including high-performance computing and machine learning, will be applied to optimize event reconstruction and particle discrimination.Special emphasis will be placed on exploiting Xmax (shower maximum depth) measurements and angular distributions of Cherenkov photons to refine composition studies in CTAO.