Physics and Astrophysics of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays

The origin of the most energetic particles observed in nature is one of the major unresolved questions in modern astrophysics. Theoretical speculations range from electromagnetic acceleration in some unknown astrophysical source to as yet undiscovered particle physics beyond the Standard Model. These speculations have also lead to the development of new detection concepts and experimental projects, some of which are currently under construction. The present volume consists of a self-contained set of lectures which cover most of these aspects: from the speculative origins and the acceleration and propagation mechanisms to a discussion of the detection techniques. It emphasizes the strong interdisciplinarity of this topic and highlights the many open questions. This volume is intended for students entering this field and for professional astronomers and particle and theoretical physicists.

Klappentext

The International School on Physics and Astrophysics of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR2000) was held at the Observatoire de Paris-Meudon on June 26-29, 2000. This was the ?rst international school speci?cally dedicated to ultra high energy cosmic rays. Its aim was to familiarize with and attract students, physicists and astronomers into this quickly developing newresearch ?eld. The mysterious and currently unknown origin of the most energetic par- cles observed in Nature has triggered in recent years theoretical speculations ranging from electromagnetic acceleration to as yet undiscovered physics - yond the Standard Model. It has also lead to the development of several new detection concepts and experimental projects, some of which are currently - der construction. By its nature, the ?eld of ultra high energy cosmic rays is therefore highly interdisciplinary and borrows from astrophysics and cosmology, via particle physics, to experimental physics and observational astronomy. One main aspect of the school was to emphasize and take advantage of this interd- ciplinarity. The lectures were grouped into subtopics and are reproduced in this volume in the following order: After a general introductory lecture on cosmic rays follow two contributions on experimental detection techniques, followed by three lectures on acceleration in astrophysical objects. The next four contri- tions cover all major aspects of propagation and interactions of ultra high energy radiation, including speculative issues such as newinteractions.

Inhalt

to Cosmic Rays.- Phenomenology of Ultra-High-Energy Atmospheric Showers.- The Air Fluorescence Method for Measuring Extremely-High-Energy Cosmic Rays.- Fermi Acceleration of Astroparticles.- Rotation Powered Pulsars as Sources of High-Energy Particles.- High-Energy Particles from ?-Ray Bursts.- Cosmic Magnetic Fields from the Perspective of Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays Propagation.- A Possible Nearby Origin for the Highest-Energy Events Observed.- Propagation of Ultra-High-Energy Radiation.- Neutrino Cascades: The Byproducts of Propagation of Ultra-High-Energy Neutrinos.- Extreme-Energy Cosmic Rays: Hints to New Physics Beyond the Standard Model?.- Summary of the School: A Critical View on the Origin of the Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays.