http://arxiv.org/abs/1505.02153
The sharp change in slope of the ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) spectrum around 10^18.6 eV (the ankle), combined with evidence of a light but extragalactic component near and below the ankle and intermediate composition above, has proved exceedingly challenging to understand theoretically. We propose a mechanism whereby photo-disintegration of ultra-high energy nuclei in the region surrounding a UHECR accelerator {\it naturally} accounts for the observed spectrum and inferred composition at Earth. Under a range of reasonable source conditions, the model reproduces the spectrum and the composition over the entire extragalactic CR range, i.e. above 10^18.6 eV. Predictions for the spectrum and flavors of neutrinos resulting from this process are also presented.
M. Unger, G. Farrar and L. Anchordoqui
Mon, 11 May 15
23/44
Comments: N/A
You must be logged in to post a comment.