Acceleration and Interaction of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays
Date
1999
Authors
Protheroe, R.
Editors
DuVernois, M.
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Book chapter
Citation
Topics in Cosmic-ray Astrophysics, 1999 / DuVernois, M. (ed./s), pp.259-297
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Abstract
In this chapter I give an overview of shock acceleration, including a discussion of the maximum energies possible and the shape of the spectrum near cut-off, interactions of high energy cosmic rays with, and propagation through, the background radiation, and the resulting electron-photon cascade. Possible sources of the highest energy cosmic rays are discussed including active galaxies, gamma ray bursts and topological defects. I argue that while the origin of the highest energy cosmic rays is still uncertain, it is not necessary to invoke exotic models such as emission by topological defects to explain the existing data. It seems likely that shock acceleration at Fanaroff-Riley Class II radio galaxies can account for the existing data. However, new cosmic ray data, as well as better estimates of the extragalactic radiation fields and magnetic fields will be necessary before we will be certain of the origin of the highest energy particles occurring in nature.
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Submitted to Cornell University’s online archive www.arXiv.org in 1999 by John Protheroe Post-print sourced from www.arxiv.org.