arXiv subjects

Leonel Morejón

Publications and source records attributed to Leonel Morejón.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Temporal Invariance Is an Illusion: Time-Dependent Influences of the Galactic Magnetic Field on UHECR Observations

Understanding the origin of the Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) requires explaining the features of their energy spectrum, mass composition, and arrival directions. Current modeling approaches neglect the time evolution of UHECR observables, a factor that is particularly important in the case of bursting UHECR sources. This study focuses on the influence of time delays caused by the galactic magnetic field (GMF) on the spectrum and arrival directions of UHECRs observed on Earth. Using CRPropa 3.2, we investigate the rigidity-dependence of the residence time of extragalactic cosmic rays entering our Galaxy. We find that UHECRs entering the Milky Way can experience delays of hundreds of kiloyears relative to light, and we demonstrate that these delays significantly alter the UHECR observables. Notably, a cutoff emerges in the transient scenario within the rigidity range of $10^{18}-10^{19}$ V, which coincides with the spectral break observed in data. We find a progressive shift in composition favoring heavier nuclei, as well as a delay distribution that is correlated with GMF strength. This causes the particles to be less correlated with their initial direction the larger their delays. A dipole-like anisotropy develops over timescales of about $\sim$100 kyr in certain bursts scenarios. Our results provide an alternative explanation for the UHECR spectral cutoff that does not invoke limits on source acceleration. This could potentially revise existing constraints.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Modified temperature redshift relation and UHECR propagation

We re-examine the interactions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with photons from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) under a changed, locally non-linear temperature redshift relation $T(z)$. This changed temperature redshift relation has recently been suggested by the postulate of subjecting thermalised and isotropic photon gases such as the CMB to an SU(2) rather than a U(1) gauge group. This modification of $Λ$CDM is called SU(2)$_{\rm CMB}$, and some cosmological parameters obtained by SU(2)$_{\rm CMB}$ seem to be in better agreement with local measurements of the same quantities, in particular $H_0$ and S$_8$. In this work, we apply the reduced CMB photon density under SU(2)$_{\rm CMB}$ to the propagation of UHECRs. This leads to a higher UHECR flux just below the ankle in the cosmic ray spectrum and slightly more cosmogenic neutrinos under otherwise equal conditions for emission and propagation. Most prominently, the proton flux is significantly increased below the ankle ($5\times10^{18}$ eV) for hard injection spectra and without considering the effects of magnetic fields. The reduction in CMB photon density also favours a decreased cosmic ray source evolution than the best fit using $Λ$CDM. In consequence, it seems that SU(2)$_{\rm CMB}$ favours sources that evolve as the star formation rate (SFR), like starburst galaxies (SBG) and gamma-ray bursts (GRB), over active galactic nuclei (AGNs) as origins of UHECRs. We conclude that the question about the nature of primary sources of UHECRs is directly affected by the assumed temperature redshift relation of the CMB.

astro-ph.HE↗