Photonuclear Interactions of Ultrahigh-Energy Cosmic Rays and their Astrophysical Consequences

1976
17 pages
Published in:
  • Astrophys.J. 205 (1976) 638-654

Citations per year

1981199220032014202505101520
Abstract: (ADS)
Results are presented for detailed Monte Carlo calculations of the interaction histories of ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray nuclei with intergalactic radiation fields, using improved estimates of these fields and empirical determinations of photonuclear cross sections, including multinuclear disintegrations for nuclei up to Fe-56. Intergalactic and galactic energy-loss rates and nucleon-loss rates for nuclei up to Fe-56 are also given. Astrophysical implications are discussed in terms of expected features in the cosmic-ray spectrum between 10 to the 18th and 10 to the 21st power eV for the universal and supercluster origin hypotheses. The results of these calculations indicate that ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays cannot be universal in origin regardless of whether they are protons or nuclei. Both the supercluster and galactic origin hypotheses, however, are possible regardless of nuclear composition.
  • COSMIC RADIATION
  • PHOTON NUCLEUS: INTERACTION
  • INTERACTION: PHOTON NUCLEUS
  • ASTROPHYSICS
  • NUMERICAL CALCULATIONS: MONTE CARLO
  • ENERGY LOSS
  • NUCLEAR REACTION
0 References