Year: 1994
Type: article
Abstract: We consider a cosmic ray spectrum that is a power law in momentum down to a cut-off, and derive a lower cut-off corresponding to |$E_\text{kin} \sim (30-60)$| MeV from the observed ionization rates in nearby diffuse clouds. While the real spectra of cosmic rays may not be so simple, we argue that one expects a substantial change in the spectra of such energies and that, at a first approximation, a power-law spectrum with a lower cut-off is appropriate. Such a description of the cosmic rays in the interstellar medium is not only theoretically more attractive than the spectra used in the literature, but is also supported by recent observations.
Authors: Biman B. Nath, Peter L. Biermann
Institution: Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1990353191