Feasibility Study for the Measurement of Nuclear Fragmentation Cross Sections with NA61/SHINE at the CERN SPS

A detailed knowledge of the fragmentation cross sections of intermediate mass nuclei is of paramount importance to understand the propagation of cosmic rays in our Galaxy and to evaluate the background for dark matter searches with space-based cosmic-ray experiments such as AMS. Therefore, we suggest a one-week test run in 2018 with secondary ions to establish the capabilities of NA61/SHINE to measure fragmentation cross sections at isotope level. No major modifications to the experimental setup of NA61/SHINE are needed to perform this feasibility study. The experience gained during the test run will be used to formulate a comprehensive measurement campaign for cosmic-ray related fragmentation cross sections for the possible extension of the NA61/SHINE physics program beyond 2020. The test data on carbon-proton and oxygen-proton interactions at 13A GeV/c that we intend to collect during the proposed test run have already the potential to reduce the current cross section uncertainties.