A possible correlation between the high-energy electron spectrum and the cosmic ray secondary-to-primary ratios

• Recent observations of high-energy cosmic ray electrons by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) experiments between 20 GeV and 5 TeV have found that the energy spectrum closely follows a broken power law with a break at around 1 TeV. On the other hand, measurements of cosmic ray secondary-to-primary ratios like the boron-to-carbon ratio seem to indicate a possible change in the slope at energies around 100 GeV n−1. In this paper, we discuss one possible explanation for the observed break in the electron spectrum and its possible correlation with the flattening in the secondary-to-primary ratios at higher energies. In our model, we assume that cosmic rays after acceleration by supernova remnant shock waves, escape downstream of the shock and remain confined within the remnant until the shock slows down. During this time, the high-energy electrons suffer from radiative energy losses and the cosmic ray nuclei undergo nuclear fragmentations due to their interactions with the matter. Once the cosmic rays are released from the supernova remnants, they follow diffusive propagation in the Galaxy where they further suffer from radiative or fragmentation losses.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Astronomi, astrofysik och kosmologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

cosmic rays

ISM

supernova remnants

Astroparticle Physics

Astropartikelfysik

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