Cosmic Rays: High Energy Particle Interactions in the Atmosphere -- Memorial Issue for Prof. Dr. Thomas K. Gaisser (Editorial)

TL;DR

This special issue honors Thomas Gaisser's contributions to cosmic-ray physics, focusing on high-energy particle interactions in the atmosphere, air shower modeling, and muon and neutrino flux measurements.

Contribution

It highlights Gaisser's pioneering work on atmospheric particle interactions, air shower phenomenology, and the Gaisser-Hillas function, advancing understanding of cosmic-ray induced phenomena.

Findings

Development of models for extensive air showers

Measurement techniques for muon and neutrino fluxes

Application of the Gaisser-Hillas function in shower profiling

Abstract

This special issue of the Astroparticle Physics journal is dedicated to the memory of Thomas Korff Gaisser, the Martin A. Pomerantz Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Delaware. Tom was one of the most prominent scientists in cosmic-ray and astroparticle physics, and also one of the founding editors of this very journal. A theoretical particle physicist by training, he dedicated his career to cosmic-ray physics. He worked on the phenomenology of high-energy particle interactions in the atmosphere, modeling extensive air showers, including the famous 'Gaisser-Hillas' function describing their longitudinal profile. A focus of his work were muon and neutrino fluxes resulting from cosmic-ray showers in the atmosphere, and their measurement with specialized experiments at the South Pole.