Towards searching for photons with energies beyond the PeV range from galactic PeVatrons
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Several gamma-ray observatories have discovered photons of cosmic origin with energies in the PeV ( 1 0 15 eV ) range. Photons at these energies might be produced as by-products from particle acceleration in so-called PeVatrons, which are widely assumed to be the sources of a large part of galactic cosmic rays. Based on recent measurements of these PeV γ -sources by LHAASO and HAWC, we extrapolate the energy spectra of selected sources up to the ultra-high-energy (UHE, ≥ 10 PeV ) regime. The goal of this study is to evaluate if (and under what conditions) giant air-shower observatories, for example the Pierre Auger Observatory, could contribute to testing the UHE luminosity of PeV γ -sources. Possible propagation effects are investigated as well as the required discrimination power to distinguish photon- and hadron-initiated air showers. For present detector setups, it turns out to be challenging to achieve the required sensitivity due to the energy threshold being too high or the detection area too small. Dedicated detector concepts appear to be needed to explore the UHE frontier. Ultimately, this could provide complementary information on the sources of cosmic rays beyond the PeV regime—a key objective of current efforts in multimessenger astronomy.
Source: Astroparticle Physics
Authors: M. Niechciol, C. Papior, M. Risse
Institution: University of Siegen
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,470
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
OpenAlex ID: W4405612211