Particle identification studies in the ICARUS T600 Lar-TPC detector

The ICARUS T600 LAr-TPC detector has started its new physics runs in June 2022 at Fermilab. This detector is recording neutrino interactions from the Booster BNB neutrino beam within the SBN program to definitively clarify the numerous observed experimental anomalies that seem to indicate the possible existence of sterile neutrinos. In addition, the T600 is collecting also neutrinos from the NuMI off-axis beam to perform neutrino-Argon cross section measurements.A crucial element required to select and efficiently reconstruct the neutrino events recorded in the detector is the capability to recognize the particles produced at the neutrino interaction primary vertex. The particle identification (PID) tools should be based on the study of the properties of the particle track, in particular, a precise measurement of the dE/dx and of the residual range. The proposed thesis will focus on the calorimetric reconstruction of events in the T600 detector, with particular attention to the differences between data and Monte Carlo simulated events. Understanding these discrepancies is essential for both accurate particle identification and the evaluation of detector systematics.In parallel, the thesis will explore the proposal of new particle identification tools, aiming to improve event selection and assess their impact on the analysis of neutrino interactions. The candidate will begin by studying the dE/dx distributions in both data and MC events, characterizing their features and identifying key differences, together with their impact on current PID methods.Building on this analysis, a new PID tool will be proposed, based on new tools leveraging a more precise comparison between the observed and expected dE/dx of particles in the detector. A visual study of selected events will also be performed, helping to improve the particle identification performance, in particular on the collected neutrino interactions.