Precise Measurement of Nuclear Fragmentation Cross Sections for the Understanding of Particle Production in the Galaxy

新一代天基宇宙射线探测器以前所未有的精度测量了银河系宇宙射线的通量，达到了10000米的水平。这些测量提供了一个独特的诊断宇宙射线在银河系中的传播和一个机会，发现暗物质湮灭在银河系中的签名和新的物理现象超越粒子物理学的标准模型。测量的反质子和正电子的通量相对于标准天体物理背景的预期的过剩的起源最近吸引了很多猜测。然而，一个坚定的建立在银河系中的粒子生产的非标准组成部分依赖于一个很好的知识的碎片截面的宇宙射线与星际medium.In这个建议中，我们建议进行精确测量的所有碎片通道的解释ofsecondary宇宙射线在银河系中的重要。与建议的测量活动，碎片相关的不确定性预测的银河宇宙线在地球上的通量可以从目前的20%降低到百分比水平匹配的精度的宇宙线data.MethodologyWe建议使用NA 61/SHINE设施在SPS在欧洲核子研究中心进行所需的截面测量同位素水平。该方案将测量Li、Be、B、C和N核的碎裂情况，这些元素对限制宇宙射线在银河系中的传播特别重要。 为了达到理想的统计精度的测量在一个现实的量的SPS束时间，我们将有助于正在进行的升级的NA 61/SHINE探测器系统，并在一个探测器系统的最大读出率的十倍增加的目标。此外，我们还将开发一种新的束流探测器系统，以确保对束流粒子的精确测量。该研究项目对科学发展的预期影响拟议的测量活动将为目前和未来的宇宙射线研究提供一个独特的反应数据库。这些数据不仅对理解银河系宇宙射线的起源至关重要，而且对精确预测天体物理背景，以寻找银河系暗物质湮灭的特征和粒子物理标准模型之外的新物理现象也至关重要。双边合作的附加值德国小组是世界领先的宇宙射线研究机构之一，而波兰小组在重离子物理和束流探测器的构造方面具有经验。这一合作将在波兰研究所开辟一个新的科学课题，对碎裂数据的联合分析将联合收割机结合两个研究所的物理和硬件专门知识，以实现所需的测量精度。

Project objectives A new generation of space-based cosmic-ray detectors has measured the fluxes of Galactic cosmic rays to an unprecedented precision at the percent-level. These measurements provide a unique diagnostic of cosmic-ray propagation in the Galaxy and an opportunity to find signatures of dark matter annihilation in the Galaxy and new physics phenomena beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics.The origin of the excess of the measured fluxes of anti-protons and positrons with respect to the expectations from standard astrophysical backgrounds has attracted a lot of speculation recently. However, a firm establishment of a non-standard component of particle production in the Galaxy relies on a good knowledge of fragmentation cross sections of cosmic-ray interactions with the interstellar medium.In this proposal we suggest to perform a precise measurement of all the fragmentation channels important for the interpretation ofsecondary cosmic rays in the Galaxy. With the proposed measurement campaign, the fragmentation-related uncertainties of predictions of the fluxes of Galactic cosmic rays at Earth can be decreased from the current 20% to the percentage level matching the precision of cosmic-ray data.MethodologyWe propose to use the NA61/SHINE facility at the SPS at CERN to perform the needed cross section measurements at isotope level. The program will perform measurements of the fragmentation of Li, Be, B, C and N nuclei, which are the elements that are of particular importance to constrain the propagation of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. To reach the desired statistical accuracy of the measurements within a realistic amount of SPS beam time, we will contribute to the ongoing upgrade of the NA61/SHINE detector system and aim at a tenfold increase of the maximal readout rate of the detector system. Moreover, we will develop a new beam detector system that will assure a precise measurement of the beam particles.Expected impact of the research project on the development of science The proposed measurement campaign will lead toa unique reaction database for present and future studies of cosmic rays. This data will not only be essential for the understanding of the origin of Galactic cosmic rays, but also for a precise prediction of the astrophysical background for searches for the signatures of dark matter annihilation in the Galaxy and new physics phenomena beyond the Standard Model of Particle Physics.Added value of bilateral cooperation The German group is part of one of the world-leading institutes for the study of cosmic rays, whereas the Polish group has a experience in the heavy ion physics and the constructions of beam detectors. The collaboration will open a new scientific topic at the Polish institute and the joint analysis of the fragmentation data will combine the physics and hardware expertise of both institutes needed to archive the desired precision of the measurement.