Constraining hadronic interaction models using LHC and air shower data

This project is based around a collaboration between groups and instruments working in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Data from these fields will be combined to better understand the properties of hadronic interactions at TeV (10^12 eV) energies. We will use data from the current generation of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes in combination with measurements from the LHCf experiment at the Large Hadron Collider to place constraints on the predictions of current models of hadronic interactions. Constraining and tuning these models will significantly reduce the systematic uncertainties in several important measurements made by ground-based gamma-ray telescopes.
The next generation of very high energy gamma-ray observatories (coming online in the next few years) will greatly improve on the sensitivity of current instruments. As such, the importance of systematic uncertainties related to hadronic models will only increase, with investment in this field certain to pay dividends in the understanding of existing and future gamma-ray observations.