Latest results of the LHCf experiment

Abstract

The LHCf experiment is designed to provide precise measurements of the production spectra relative to neutral particles produced in the very forward region by high energy proton-proton and proton-ion collisions. This information is necessary in order to test and tune hadronic interaction models used by ground-based cosmic rays experiments. In order to reach this goal, LHCf makes use of two small sampling calorimeters installed in the LHC tunnel at ±140 m from IP1, both able to detect neutral particles having pseudo-rapidity η > 8.4. In LHC Run II, LHCf acquired data relative to p-p collisions at √ s = 13 TeV and p-Pb collisions at √ s NN = 8.1 TeV. In this paper, we discuss the results obtained from p-p collisions at √ s = 13 TeV, focusing in particular on photon and neutron production, the two analyses already published by the collaboration.