Comprehensive approach to tau-lepton production by high-energy tau neutrinos propagating through the Earth

Autor(es)

Alvarez-Muniz, Jaime ; Carvalho, Washington R., Jr. ; Payet, Kevin ; Romero-Wolf, Andres ; Schoorlemmer, Harm ; Zas, Enrique

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: PHYSICAL REVIEW D; v. 97, n. 2, p. 13-pg., 2018-01-26.

Resumo

There has been a recent surge in interest in the detection of tau-lepton-induced air showers from detectors at altitude. When a tau neutrino (v(tau)) enters the Earth, it produces t leptons as a result of nuclear charged-current interactions. In some cases, this process results in a t lepton exiting the surface of the Earth, which can subsequently decay in the atmosphere and produce an extensive air shower. These upward-going air showers can be detected via fluorescence, optical Cherenkov, or geomagnetic radio emission. Several experiments have been proposed to detect these signals. We present a comprehensive simulation of the production of t leptons by v(tau)'s propagating through Earth to aid the design of future experiments. These simulations for v(tau)'s and leptons in the energy range from 10(15) eV to 1021 eV treat the full range of incidence angles from Earth-skimming to diametrically traversing. Propagation of v(tau)'s and leptons includes the effects of rock and an ocean or ice layer of various thicknesses. The interaction models include v(tau')s regeneration and account for uncertainties in the Standard Model neutrino cross section and in the photonuclear contribution to the t energy-loss rate. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/15735-1 - Investigação da composição dos raios cósmicos de ultra alta energia utilizando a técnica de detecção por rádio
• Beneficiário: Washington Rodrigues de Carvalho Junior
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado