EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2017)

The hadronic interaction model Sibyll – past, present and future

  • Engel Ralph,
  • Riehn Felix,
  • Fedynitch Anatoli,
  • Gaisser Thomas K.,
  • Stanev Todor

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201614508001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 145
p. 08001

Abstract

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Sibyll is one of the first microscopic interaction models that was specifically developed for interpreting cosmic ray data. It combines non-perturbative concepts of simulating hadronic particle production with predictions derived from perturbative QCD calculations, focusing on forward particle production of relevance in studying cosmic ray interactions. In this contribution we briefly recall the history of Sibyll and then, in this context, describe improvements made in the different versions of the Sibyll model. The discussion focuses on the basic concepts and ideas of these improvements rather than going into detail or giving a comprehensive description of the models. We also discuss shortcomings, conceptual problems, and uncertainties in modeling hadronic interactions and make some suggestions how to address these open questions in the future.