Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

A. A. Lagutin

Publications and source records attributed to A. A. Lagutin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Diffusive shock acceleration: non-classical model of cosmic ray transport

In this work the theory of diffusive shock acceleration is extended to the case of non-classical particle transport with Lévy flights and Lévy traps, when the mean square displacement grows nonlinearly with time. In this approach the Green function is not a Gaussian but it exhibits power-law tails. By using the propagator appropriate for non-classical diffusion, it is found for the first time that energy spectral index of particles accelerated at shock front is $γ= [α(\mathrm{r} + 5) - 6 β]/[α(\mathrm{r}-1)]$, where $0 < α< 2$ and $0 <β< 1$ are the exponents of power-law behavior of Lévy flights and Lévy traps, respectively. We note that this result coincides with standard slope at $α=2, β=1$ (normal diffusion), and also includes those obtained earlier for the subdiffusion ($α=2, β<1$) and superdiffusion ($α<2, β=1$) regimes.

astro-ph.HE↗

Nonmonotonic change with energy of the mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the knee region: the mechanism of formation of this feature and sources of particles

Recently, the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) published measurements of the all-particle CR energy spectrum and the mean logarithmic mass of CRs with unprecedented accuracy in 0.3-30 PeV. The mean logarithmic mass shows a nonmonotonic change with energy, a feature observed for the first time. In this work, we present a new approach to describe the mechanisms of formation of this feature. The key elements of this approach are the non-classical diffusion model of cosmic rays developed by the authors in which the knee in the observed spectrum occurs naturally without the use of additional assumptions, as well as power-law asymptotics before and after the knee, and a soft spectrum of particle generation in cosmic ray source. To obtain a more complete picture of the spectrum formation in the region of the knee and the sources that form it, we carried out calculations of the spectra of the main groups of nuclei in the energy range of 1 TeV-100 PeV. It is shown that the behavior of the all-particle spectrum and mass composition in the knee region is determined by local pevatrons located at a distance of 750-900 pc from the Earth. The energy of the knee practically coincides with the knees in the spectra of protons and helium nuclei. The contribution of the light components $p$+He is about 70%, the CNO group provides $\sim$13%. The energy spectrum index of the light components is -2.61 before the knee. The nonmonotonic change in the mean logarithmic mass is due mainly to a decrease in the contribution of the CNO group in the energy range of 0.3-3 PeV.

astro-ph.HE↗

Four years of wide-field search for nanosecond optical transients with the TAIGA-HiSCORE Cherenkov array

It has been previously demonstrated [Panov et al. Physics of Atomic Nuclei 84(2021)1037] that the TAIGA-HiSCORE Cherenkov array, originally built for cosmic ray physics and ultrahigh-energy gamma-ray astronomy studies using the extensive air shower method, can be used in conventional optical astronomy for wide-field searches for rare nanosecond optical transients of astrophysical origin. The FOV of the facility is on the scale of 1~ster, and it is capable of detecting very rare transients in the visible light range with fluxes greater than approximately 3000~quanta/m$^2$/10~ns (10~ns is the apparatus integration time) and pulse durations of 10\,ns. Among the potential sources of distant nanosecond optical transients are the evaporation of primary black holes, magnetic reconnection in the accretion disks of black holes, and signals from distant lasers of extraterrestrial civilizations. The paper describes the methods and results of the search for optical transients using the TAIGA-HiSCORE Cherenkov array from 2018 to 2022 (four winter seasons of data collection). No reliable astrophysical candidates for optical transients were found. We set an upper bound on the flux of the searched events as $\sim 1\times10^{-3}$\,events/ster/h.

astro-ph.IM↗

Lateral Distribution Function of Extensive Air Showers Cherenkov Light and Stable Laws: Fast Modelling Method for the CORSIKA Code

The paper proposes a new approach for approximating the lateral distribution functions (LDF) of Cherenkov light emitted by the electromagnetic component of extensive air showers (EAS) in the Earth's atmosphere. The information basis of the study is a series of simulations with the CORSIKA code. To approximate the LDF atmospheric Cherenkov light the probability density functions of one-dimensional fractional stable distributions were used. The results obtained in the work allow us to propose a fast modeling method for the CORSIKA code using a procedure similar to the Nishimura-Kamata-Greisen (NKG) for calculating the LDF of the EAS electromagnetic component.

astro-ph.HE↗

A new break near 10 TeV in the energy spectrum of protons according to data from space-based instruments: astrophysical interpretation

Recent experimental data from space-based instruments of the DAMPE and CALET collaborations have shown that the energy spectrum of protons has a new feature, a break in the $\sim 10$ TeV region. In this energy range, the spectrum index of the observed particles varies from $-2.6$ to $-2.9$. The purpose of this work is to establish the local sources's position and age that determine this break, the index of the proton generation spectrum in them, as well as the astrophysical interpretation of the results obtained in the DAMPE and CALET experiments. Within the framework of the model of nonclassical diffusion of cosmic rays developed by the authors, which has break due to the propagation of particles in a sharply inhomogeneous (fractal type) galactic medium, it is shown that break in this energy range is formed by tevatron located at a distance of $\sim 120$ pc from the Earth. These source, whose age is $\sim 5 \cdot 10^5$ years, generate particles with a spectrum index $\sim 2.7$. The power-law behavior of the proton spectrum before and after the break, soft spectrum of particles generation in the source, first obtained in the DAMPE and CALET experiments, should be considered as an indication of the need to revise the standard paradigm accepted today about the sources of cosmic rays, mechanisms of particle acceleration in them and particles propagation in the Galaxy.

astro-ph.HE↗

Where are the Pevatrons that Form the Knee in the Spectrum of the Cosmic Ray Nucleon Component around 4 PeV?

The paper discusses an approach that made it possible to estimate the distance to the nearest pevatrons, which form a knee in the spectrum of the cosmic ray nucleon component of about $4$ PeV. It is based on the spectra of nucleons and electrons obtained by the authors in the framework of the superdiffusion model of nonclassical cosmic rays diffusion, which have a knee, on the assumption that nucleons and electrons are accelerated by the same type sources and their propagation in an inhomogeneous turbulent galactic medium is characterized by the same diffusion coefficient, and also on the knee in the spectrum of the electronic component in the region of $0.9$ TeV, established in the DAMPE experiment. It is shown that pevatrons, which form a knee in the spectrum of the cosmic ray nucleon component of about $4$ PeV, are located at distances of the order of $0.75$ kpc from the Earth.

astro-ph.HE↗

Search for Astrophysical Nanosecond Optical Transients with TAIGA-HiSCORE Array

A wide-angle Cerenkov array TAIGA-HiSCORE (FOV $\sim$0.6 sr), was originally created as a part of TAIGA installation for high-energy gamma-ray astronomy and cosmic ray physics. Array now consist on nearly 100 optical stations on the area of 1 km$^2$. Due to high accuracy and stability ($\sim$1 ns) of time synchronization of the optical stations the accuracy of EAS arrival direction reconstruction is reached 0.1$^\mathrm{o}$. It was proven that the array can also be used to search for nanosecond events of the optical range. The report discusses the method of searching for optical transients using the HiSCORE array and demonstrates its performance on a real example of detecting signals from an artificial Earth satellite. The search for this short flares in the HiSCORE data of the winter season 2018--2019 is carried out. One candidate for double repeater has been detected, but the estimated probability of random simulation of such a transient by background EAS events is not less than 10%, which does not allow us to say that the detected candidate corresponds to a real astrophysical transient. An upper bound on the frequency of optical spikes with flux density of more than $10^{-4} \mathrm{erg/s/cm}^2$ and a duration of more than 5\,ns is established as $\sim 2 \times 10^{-3}$ events/sr/hour.

astro-ph.IM↗

Particle Spectra and Mass Composition in the Ultra-High Energy Region in the Framework of the Galactic Origin of Cosmic Rays

The possibility for a self-consistent description of all the basic features of the observed cosmic ray spectra and primary composition variations in the energy range of $10^{15}÷10^{20}$ eV within the Galactic origin scenario is examined. We assume the existence of Galactic sources that accelerate particles up to $\sim 3\cdot 10^{18}Z$ eV and take into account a highly inhomogeneous (fractal-like) distribution of matter and magnetic fields in the Galaxy that leads to extremely large free paths of particles ("Lévy flights"), along with an overwhelming contribution to the cosmic ray fluxes observed above $\sim 10^{18}$ eV from particles reaching the Solar System without scattering. Our scenario was refined on the basis of recent experimental results on primary mass composition. Model predictions, which could be verified with the improved high-precision measurements in the nearest future are discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

Shape of primary proton spectrum in multi-TeV region from data on vertical muon flux

It is shown, that primary proton spectrum, reconstructed from sea-level and underground data on muon spectrum with the use of QGSJET 01, QGSJET II, NEXUS 3.97 and SIBYLL 2.1 interaction models, demonstrates not only model-dependent intensity, but also model-dependent form. For correct reproduction of muon spectrum shape primary proton flux should have non-constant power index for all considered models, except SIBYLL 2.1, with break at energies around 10-15 TeV and value of exponent before break close to that obtained in ATIC-2 experiment. To validate presence of this break understanding of inclusive spectra behavior in fragmentation region in p-air collisions should be improved, but we show, that it is impossible to do on the basis of the existing experimental data on primary nuclei, atmospheric muon and hadron fluxes.

astro-ph↗

Cosmic ray primary mass composition above the knee: deduction from lateral distribution of electrons

Influence of shower fluctuations on the shape of lateral distribution of electrons in EAS of fixed size measured by scintillation counters is analyzed in framework of scaling formalism. Correction factors for the mean square radius of electrons are calculated for the experimental conditions of KASCADE array. Possible improvement of the primary mass discrimination by analysis of lateral distribution of EAS electrons is discussed in detail.

astro-ph↗

Spectra of hadrons and muons in the atmosphere: primary spectra, characteristics of hadron-air interactions

Self-consistency of interaction models QGSJET 01, SIBYLL 2.1, NEXUS 3.97 and QGSJET II is checked in terms of their ability to reproduce simultaneously experimental data on fluxes of muons and hadrons. From this point of view SIBYLL 2.1 gives the most acceptable, though not quite satisfactory, results. Analysis of the situation for muons supports our previous conclusions, that high-energy muon deficit is due both to underestimation of primary light nuclei fluxes in direct emulsion chamber experiments and to softness of $p+A\toπ^\pm,K^\pm+X$ inclusive spectra in fragmentation region, especially prominent in case of QGSJET 01 model.

astro-ph↗

Energy spectrum and mass composition of primary cosmic rays around the `knee' in the framework of the model with two types of sources

Analysis of the experimental data on cosmic ray spectra in the framework of the proposed model with two types of sources leads to conclusion, that sources with particle generation spectral exponent $p\sim 2.85$ give the major contribution to the all-particle spectrum in the energy range $10^5-10^7$ GeV. `Fine structure' of spectrum around the `knee' may arise due to presence of nearby supernova type source, accelerating particles up to the energies $\sim3\cdot 10^4 Z$ GeV, if the energy output of such source is $\sim2\cdot10^{48}$ erg/source.

astro-ph↗

Primary proton spectrum in the energy range $5-10^3$ TeV from the sea level muon spectrum

Primary proton spectrum in the energy range $5-10^3$ TeV is reconstructed from the sea level muon spectrum with the use of QGSJET01 and SYBILL2.1 interaction models. Heavier nuclei are taken in accordance with the direct measurements data, 100% uncertainty in helium flux is accounted for. The obtained proton intensity strongly contradicts to the available data of balloon experiments, exceeding them at the least by 100% for QGSJET01. This discrepancy is due to the combined effect of primary nucleon flux underestimation in the direct measurements and incorrect description of extensive air shower development. In the latter case it is required earlier shower development and harder spectra of secondary pions and kaons in comparison with QGSJET01. This conclusion is in agreement with the obtained by the KASCADE group on the basis of events rate study.

astro-ph↗

On the deficit of calculated muon flux at sea level for energies $>100$ GeV

In this paper we discuss the problem, why the use of the direct data on primary nuclei spectra together with the modern hadronic interaction models leads to significant deficit of computed vertical muon flux at sea level for energies $>100$ GeV. We suggest, that to find out the source of this inconsistency it is necessary to perform an analysis of sensitivity of emulsion chamber data to variations of hadron-nucleus interaction characteristics. Such analysis will give more ground for discussion of adequacy of the up-to-date interaction models and of mutual compatibility of primary nuclei spectra, obtained in direct and EAS experiments.

astro-ph↗

On inconsistency of experimental data on primary nuclei spectra with sea level muon intensity measurements

For the first time a complete set of the most recent direct data on primary cosmic ray spectra is used as input into calculations of muon flux at sea level in wide energy range $E_μ=1-3\cdot10^5$ GeV. Computations have been performed with the CORSIKA/QGSJET and CORSIKA/VENUS codes. The comparison of the obtained muon intensity with the data of muon experiments shows, that measurements of primary nuclei spectra conform to sea level muon data only up to several tens of GeV and result in essential deficit of muons at higher energies. As it follows from our examination, uncertainties in muon flux measurements and in the description of nuclear cascades development are not suitable to explain this contradiction, and the only remaining factor, leading to this situation, is underestimation of primary light nuclei fluxes. We have considered systematic effects, that may distort the results of the primary cosmic ray measurements with the application of the emulsion chambers. We suggest, that re-examination of these measurements is required with the employment of different hadronic interaction models. Also, in our point of view, it is necessary to perform estimates of possible influence of the fact, that sizable fraction of events, identified as protons, actually are antiprotons. Study of these cosmic ray component begins to attract much attention, but today nothing definite is known for the energies $>40$ GeV. In any case, to realize whether the mentioned, or some other reasons are the sources of disagreement of the data on primaries with the data on muons, the indicated effects should be thoroughly analyzed.

hep-ph↗

Mass Composition of the Primary Cosmic Rays in the Energy Region 10^{14}-10^{20} eV in Anomalous Diffusion Model

We discuss the problem of cosmic ray mass composition variation in wide energy region 10^{14}-10^{20} eV. The mass composition predicted in the framework of recently developed anomalous diffusion model is tested using the results of CORSIKA calculations and experimental data on the depth of maximum of extensive air showers. We show that the model predictions for the mass composition are consistent with observations of different experiments.

astro-ph↗

Properties of the Interstellar Medium and the Propagation of Cosmic Rays in the Galaxy

The problem of the origin of cosmic rays in the shocks produced by supernova explosions at energies below the so called 'knee' (at ~3*10$^6$ GeV) in the energy spectrum is addressed, with special attention to the propagation of the particles through the inhomogenious interstellar medium and the need to explain recent anisotropy results, [1]. It is shown that the fractal character of the matter density and magnetic field distribution leads to the likelihood of a substantial increase of spatial fluctuations in the cosmic ray energy spectra. While the spatial distribution of cosmic rays in the vicinity of their sources (eg. inside the Galactic disk) does not depend much on the character of propagation and is largely determined by the distribution of their sources, the distribution at large distances from the Galactic disk depends strongly on the character of the propagation. In particular, the fractal character of the ISM leads to what is known as 'anomalous diffusion' and such diffusion helps us to understand the formation of Cosmic Ray Halo. Anomalous diffusion allows an explanation of the recent important result from the Chacaltaya extensive air shower experiment [1], viz. a Galactic Plane Enhancement of cosmic ray intensity in the Outer Galaxy, which is otherwise absent for the case of the so-called 'normal' diffusion. All these effects are for just one reason: anomalous diffusion emphasizes the role of local phenomena in the formation of cosmic ray characteristics in our Galaxy and elsewhere.

astro-ph↗

Anomalous diffusion of the cosmic rays: steady-state solution

We consider the propagation of galactic cosmic rays in the fractal interstellar medium. Steady state solution of the fractional diffusion equation, describing cosmic ray propagation, is found. We show that the exponent of the steady state spectrum turns out to be equal to the exponent of the cosmic ray spectrum above the "knee", that is approximately equal to 3.1.

astro-ph↗