Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-00337

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Global tuning of hadronic interaction models with accelerator-based and astroparticle data

Albrecht, J. ; Becker Tjus, J. ; Behling, N. ; Blazek, J. ; Bleicher, M. ; Boelhauve, J. ; Cazon, L. ; Conceição, R. ; Dembinski, H. ; Dietrich, L. ; Ebr, J. ; Ellbracht, J. ; Engel, R. ; Fedynitch, A. ; Fieg, M. ; Garzelli, M. V.Extern* ; Gaudu, C. ; Graziani, G. ; Gutjahr, P. ; Haungs, A. ; Huege, T. ; Hymon, K. ; Hünnefeld, M. ; Kampert, K.-H. ; Kardum, L. ; Kolk, L. ; Korneeva, N. ; Kröninger, K. ; Maire, A. ; Menjo, H. ; Morejon, L. ; Ostapchenko, S. ; Paakkinen, P. ; Pierog, T. ; Plotko, P.DESY* ; Prosekin, A. ; Pyras, L. ; Pöschl, T. ; Rautenberg, J. ; Reininghaus, M. ; Rhode, W. ; Riehn, F. ; Roth, M. ; Sandrock, A. ; Sarcevic, I. ; Schmelling, M. ; Sigl, G.Extern* ; Sjöstrand, T. ; Soldin, D. ; Unger, M. ; Utheim, M. ; Vícha, J. ; Werner, K. ; Windau, M. E. ; Zhukov, V.

2026
Springer Nature London

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s42254-025-00897-3

Report No.: arXiv:2508.21796

Abstract: In high-energy and astroparticle physics, event generators play an essential role, even in the simplest data analyses. As analysis techniques become more sophisticated, e.g. based on deep neural networks, their correct description of the observed event characteristics becomes even more important. Physical processes occurring in hadronic collisions are simulated within a Monte Carlo framework. A major challenge is the modeling of hadron dynamics at low momentum transfer, which includes the initial and final phases of every hadronic collision. QCD-inspired phenomenological models used for these phases cannot guarantee completeness or correctness over the full phase space. These models usually include parameters which must be tuned to suitable experimental data. Until now, event generators have been developed and tuned mainly on the basis of data from high-energy physics experiments at accelerators. The wealth of data available from the latest generation of astroparticle experiments has not yet been fully exploited, and in many cases is not satisfactorily described. Both kinds of data sets are complementary as astroparticle experiments provide sensitivity especially to hadrons produced nearly parallel to the collision axis and cover center-of-mass energies up to several hundred TeV, well beyond those reached at colliders so far. In this report, we provide an overview of state-of-the-art event generators and their tuning, including the most relevant inputs from high-energy accelerator and astroparticle experiments. We present a road map that shows, for the first time, how the unified tuning of event generators with accelerator-based and astroparticle data can be performed.

Note: 64 pages, 6 figures, 6 tables, submitted for publication in Nature Reviews Physics

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Deutsches Zentrum für Astrophysik (Z_DZA)

Research Program(s):

1. 613 - Matter and Radiation from the Universe (POF4-613) (POF4-613)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)445052434 - SFB 1491: Das Wechselspiel der kosmischen Materie - von der Quelle bis zum Signal (445052434) (445052434)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390833306 - EXC 2121: Das Quantisierte Universum II (390833306) (390833306)
4. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)465275045 - Hochenergetische hadronische Wechselwirkungen und die Rätsel der kosmischen Strahlung (465275045) (465275045)
5. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)550225003 - Ein neues Analyseinstrument zur Modellierung der Wechselwirkungen kosmischer Strahlung (550225003) (550225003)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 30 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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