T. Winchen

CRPropa 3-a public astrophysical simulation framework for propagating extraterrestrial ultra-high energy particles

We present the simulation framework CRPropa version 3 designed for efficient development of astrophysical predictions for ultra-high energy particles. Users can assemble modules of the most relevant propagation effects in galactic and extragalactic space, include their own physics modules with new features, and receive on output primary and secondary cosmic messengers including nuclei, neutrinos and photons. In extension to the propagation physics contained in a previous CRPropa version, the new version facilitates high-performance computing and comprises new physical features such as an interface for galactic propagation using lensing techniques, an improved photonuclear interaction calculation, and propagation in time dependent environments to take into account cosmic evolution effects in anisotropy studies and variable sources. First applications using highlighted features are presented as well.

PARSEC: A Parametrized Simulation Engine for Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Protons

Abstract We present a new simulation engine for fast generation of ultra-high energy cosmic ray data based on parametrizations of common assumptions of UHECR origin and propagation. Implemented are deflections in unstructured turbulent extragalactic fields, energy losses for protons due to photo-pion production and electron-pair production, as well as effects from the expansion of the universe. Additionally, a simple model to estimate propagation effects from iron nuclei is included. Deflections in the Galactic magnetic field are included using a matrix approach with precalculated lenses generated from backtracked cosmic rays. The PARSEC program is based on object oriented programming paradigms enabling users to extend the implemented models and is steerable with a graphical user interface.

A development environment for visual physics analysis

The Visual Physics Analysis (VISPA) project integrates different aspects of physics analyses into a graphical development environment. It addresses the typical development cycle of (re-)designing, executing and verifying an analysis. The project provides an extendable plug-in mechanism and includes plug-ins for designing the analysis flow, for running the analysis on batch systems, and for browsing the data content. The corresponding plug-ins are based on an object-oriented toolkit for modular data analysis. We introduce the main concepts of the project, describe the technical realization and demonstrate the functionality in example applications.

Visual Physics Analysis - Applications in High Energy and Astroparticle Physics

VISPA (Visual Physics Analysis) is a development environment to support physicists in prototyping, execution, and verification of data analysis of any complexity. The key idea of VISPA is to develop physics analyses using a combination of graphical and textual programming. In VISPA, a multipurpose window provides visual tools to design and execute modular analyses, create analysis templates, and browse physics event data at different steps of an analysis. VISPA aims at supporting both experiment independent and experiment specific analysis steps. It is therefore designed as a portable analysis framework for Linux, Windows and MacOS, with its own data format including physics objects and containers, thus allowing convenient transport of analyses between different computers. All components of VISPA are designed for straightforward integration with experiment specific software to enable physics analysis with the same graphical tools. VISPA has proven to be an easy-to-use and flexible development environment in high energy physics as well as in astroparticle physics analyses.

Visual physics analysis VISPA

VISPA is a development environment for high energy physics analyses which enables physicists to combine graphical and textual work. A physics analysis cycle consists of prototyping, performing, and verifying the analysis. The main feature of VISPA is a multipurpose window for visual steering of analysis steps, creation of analysis templates, and browsing physics event data at different steps of an analysis. VISPA follows an experiment-independent approach and incorporates various tools for steering and controlling required in a typical analysis. Connection to different frameworks of high energy physics experiments is achieved by using different types of interfaces. We present the look-and-feel for an example physics analysis at the LHC and explain the underlying software concepts of VISPA.

Thunderstorm electric fields probed by extensive air showers through their polarized radio emission

We observe a large fraction of circular polarization in radio emission from extensive air showers recorded during thunderstorms, much higher than in the emission from air showers measured during fair-weather circumstances. We show that the circular polarization of the air showers measured during thunderstorms can be explained by the change in the direction of the transverse current as a function of altitude induced by atmospheric electric fields. Thus by using the full set of Stokes parameters for these events, we obtain a good characterization of the electric fields in thunderclouds. We also measure a large horizontal component of the electric fields in the two events that we have analyzed.

Ultimate precision in cosmic-ray radio detection — the SKA

As of 2023, the low-frequency part of the Square Kilometre Array will go online in Australia. It will constitute the largest and most powerful low-frequency radio-astronomical observatory to date, and will facilitate a rich science programme in astronomy and astrophysics. With modest engineering changes, it will also be able to measure cosmic rays via the radio emission from extensive air showers. The extreme antenna density and the homogeneous coverage provided by more than 60,000 antennas within an area of one km2 will push radio detection of cosmic rays in the energy range around 1017 eV to ultimate precision, with superior capabilities in the reconstruction of arrival direction, energy, and an expected depth-of-shower-maximum resolution of < 10 g/cm2.

Characterisation of the radio frequency spectrum emitted by high energy air showers with LOFAR

The high number density of radio antennas at the LOFAR core in Northern Netherlands allows to detect radio signals emitted by extensive air showers in the energy range 10

Overview of lunar detection of ultra-high energy particles and new plans for the SKA

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A field study of data analysis exercises in a bachelor physics course using the internet platform VISPA

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