Preprint

PUBDB-2026-02484

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A Bayesian method for air-shower reconstruction using Information Field Theory

Terveer, K. (Corresponding author) ; Bouma, S. ; Buitink, S. ; Corstanje, A. ; De Henau, V. ; Eberle, V. ; Enßlin, T. A. ; Frank, P. ; Huege, T. ; Laub, P. ; Mulrey, K. ; Nelles, A.Extern*DESY* ; Strähnz, S. ; Thoudam, S. ; Watanabe, K.

2026

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Report No.: arXiv:2602.19864

Abstract: The radio detection of extensive air showers provides a powerful method for studying the origin of high-energy cosmic rays. The Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) offers unprecedentedly detailed measurements of the radio emission footprint. However, fully exploiting this information requires advanced reconstruction techniques. In this paper, we introduce a novel framework for air shower reconstruction based on Bayesian inference and Information Field Theory (IFT). Our method is built on a fully differentiable forward model of the radio signal, which incorporates a physical emission parameterization and a precise wavefront model. Additionally, we augment this physical model with Gaussian processes to account for systematic uncertainties in both the signal fluence and arrival timing. By leveraging gradient information, our approach enables efficient (three orders of magnitude acceleration w.r.t. the legacy method) and robust inference of the underlying physical shower parameters, such as primary energy and the depth of shower maximum, Xmax. This work provides not only point estimates but also a rigorous quantification of uncertainties. We achieve a resolution in Xmax of 25gcm-2 and a radiation energy resolution of 12% on simulations for LOFAR.

Keyword(s): Air shower reconstruction ; Radio detection ; Bayesian inference ; Information Field Theory ; LOFAR

Note: Astroparticle Physics 179 (2026), 103241. 19 pages, 11 figures

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. RADIO (Z-RAD)

Research Program(s):

1. 613 - Matter and Radiation from the Universe (POF4-613) (POF4-613)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)531213488 - Zeitlich hochaufgelöste 3D-Abbildung der Radioemission von kosmischen Luftschauern mit LOFAR und SKA (531213488) (531213488)
3. 05D23WE2 - Verbundprojekt 05D2022 - ErUM-IFT: Informationsfeldtheorie für Experimente an Großforschungsanlagen. Teilprojekt 6. (BMBF-05D23WE2) (BMBF-05D23WE2)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

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Database coverage:
Published

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Linked articles:

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Journal Article Terveer, K. (Corresponding author) ; Bouma, S.Extern* ; Buitink, S. ; Corstanje, A. ; De Henau, V. ; Eberle, V. ; Ensslin, T. ; Frank, P. ; Huege, T. ; Laub, P. ; Mulrey, K. ; Nelles, A.DESY* ; Stränz, S. ; Thoudam, S. ; Watanabe, K.
A Bayesian Method for Air-Shower Reconstruction using Information Field Theory
Astroparticle physics 179, 103241 (2026) [10.1016/j.astropartphys.2026.103241]2026     Files  Fulltext by arXiv.org BibTeX | EndNote: XML, Text | RIS

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