Thomas Binoth 1965–2010
On 3 January, Thomas Binoth, a theoretical physicist at the University of Edinburgh, died in an avalanche while skiing in the Diemtigtal, south of Bern.
Thomas was born on 16 August 1965 and grew up in Maulburg, Germany. He entered the University of Freiburg in 1987 to study physics, writing a diploma thesis in 1993 on supersymmetric extensions of the Standard Model. He proceeded to a PhD under the supervision of Jochum van der Bij, also at Freiburg, on the subject of non-perturbative effects in the Higgs sector of the Standard Model and beyond. Thomas then went on to a series of postdoctoral appointments at LAPTH Annecy, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Würzburg. His work during this time had evolved into the development of advanced techniques for next-to-leading order (NLO) calculations in the Standard Model and the application of them to LHC processes. He was appointed to a lectureship at the University of Edinburgh in 2005 and promoted to a readership in 2009.
With his collaborator and partner Gudrun Heinrich, Thomas developed a new systematic algorithm called “sector decomposition" to isolate divergences in Feynman-diagram calculations. This method has had a high impact in the particle-theory community and is now used by various groups in the context of next-to-NLO predictions for the LHC. He was the author of various computer codes for the production of gauge-boson pairs (a key background for the discovery of a light Higgs boson) and had been leading the international GOLEM project, which aims to provide NLO predictions for a wide variety of LHC processes involving as many as six external particles.
Thomas was exceptional in his warm-hearted approach towards his physics colleagues. He was always interested in the physics as well as the person, never in self-promotion. He was extremely good fun and stimulating to be around, both for physics discussions and late-evening beer sessions. He will be greatly missed at upcoming LHC workshops and conferences.
He was also a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher, who saw it as his mission to enthuse and motivate physics students in the same way in which he had been encouraged as a student. His courses in mathematical physics were presented logically and consistently, exposing the beauty and simplicity of the mathematical structure in the physical laws of nature. They were highly appreciated.
When not engaged in physics, Thomas loved to go to the mountains – climbing in summer and skiing in winter. His enthusiasm and respect for nature in all of its splendour and grandeur was immense.
He leaves behind his partner and collaborator, Gudrun Heinrich, a legacy of physics results and data analysis tools that may yet play a key part in discoveries at the LHC, and many friends and collaborators worldwide who are honoured to have known and worked with him.
Richard Ball, Edinburgh, Herbi Dreiner, Bonn, and Michael Krämer, Aachen.