arXiv subjects

V. Berezinsky

Publications and source records attributed to V. Berezinsky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Towards solving the mass-composition problem in ultra high energy cosmic rays

Using the Auger mass-composition analysis of ultra high energy cosmic rays, based on the shape-fitting of $X_{max}$ distributions, we demonstrate that mass composition and energy spectra measured by Auger, Telescope Array and HiRes can be brought into good agreement. The shape-fitting analysis of $X_{max}$ distributions shows that the measured sum of proton and Helium fractions, for some hadronic-interaction models, can saturate the total flux. Such p+He model, with small admixture of other light nuclei, naturally follows from cosmology with recombination and reheating phases. The most radical assumption of the presented model is the assumed unreliability of the experimental separation of Helium and protons, which allows to consider He/p ratio as a free parameter. The results presented here show that the models with dominant p+He composition explain well the energy spectrum of the dip in the latest (2015 - 2017) data of Auger and Telescope Array, but have some tension at the highest energies with the expected Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin cutoff. The Auger-Prime upgrade experiment has a great potential to reject or confirm this model.

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arXiv2016

Cascade photons as test of protons in UHECR

An isotropic component of high energy $γ$-ray spectrum measured by Fermi LAT constrains the proton component of UHECR. The strongest restriction comes from the highest, $(580-820)$ GeV, energy bin. One more constraint on the proton component is provided by the IceCube upper bound on ultrahigh energy cosmogenic neutrino flux. We study the influence of these restrictions on the source properties, such as evolution and distribution of sources, their energy spectrum and admixture of nuclei. We also study the sensitivity of restrictions to various Fermi LAT galactic foreground models (model B being less restrictive), to the choice of extragalactic background light model and to overall normalization of the energy spectrum. We claim that the $γ$-ray-cascade constraints are stronger than the neutrino ones, and that however many proton models are viable. The basic parameters of such models are relatively large $γ_g$ and not very large $z_{\max}$. The allowance for H$e^4$ admixture also relaxes the restrictions. However we foresee that future CTA measurements of $γ$-ray spectrum at $E_γ\simeq (600 - 800)$ GeV, as well as resolving of more individual $γ$-ray sources, may rule out the proton-dominated cosmic ray models.

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arXiv2016

High energy electromagnetic cascades in extragalactic space: physics and features

Using the analytic modeling of the electromagnetic cascades compared with more precise numerical simulations we describe the physical properties of electromagnetic cascades developing in the universe on CMB and EBL background radiations. A cascade is initiated by very high energy photon or electron and the remnant photons at large distance have two-component energy spectrum, $\propto E^{-2}$ ($\propto E^{-1.9}$ in numerical simulations) produced at cascade multiplication stage, and $\propto E^{-3/2}$ from Inverse Compton electron cooling at low energies. The most noticeable property of the cascade spectrum in analytic modeling is 'strong universality', which includes the standard energy spectrum and the energy density of the cascade $ω_{\rm cas}$ as its only numerical parameter. Using numerical simulations of the cascade spectrum and comparing it with recent Fermi LAT spectrum we obtained the upper limit on $ω_{\rm cas}$ stronger than in previous works. The new feature of the analysis is "$E_{\max}$ rule". We investigate the dependence of $ω_{\rm cas}$ on the distribution of sources, distinguishing two cases of universality: the strong and weak ones.

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arXiv2014

Ultra high energy cosmic rays: implications of Auger data for source spectra and chemical composition

We use a kinetic-equation approach to describe the propagation of ultra high energy cosmic ray protons and nuclei and calculate the expected spectra and mass composition at the Earth for different assumptions on the source injection spectra and chemical abundances. When compared with the spectrum, the elongation rate $X_{max}(E)$ and dispersion $σ(X_{max})$ as observed with the Pierre Auger Observatory, several important consequences can be drawn: a) the injection spectra of nuclei must be very hard, $\sim E^{-γ}$ with $γ\sim 1-1.6$; b) the maximum energy of nuclei of charge $Z$ in the sources must be $\sim 5Z\times 10^{18}$ eV, thereby not requiring acceleration to extremely high energies; c) the fit to the Auger spectrum can be obtained only at the price of adding an {\it ad hoc} light extragalactic component with a steep injection spectrum ($\sim E^{-2.7}$). In this sense, at the ankle ($E_{A}\approx 5\times 10^{18}$ eV) all the components are of extragalactic origin, thereby suggesting that the transition from Galactic to extragalactic cosmic rays occurs below the ankle. Interestingly, the additional light extragalactic component postulated above compares well, in terms of spectrum and normalization, with the one recently measured by KASCADE-Grande.

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arXiv2013

UHECR: Signatures and Models

The signatures of Ultra High Energy (E >1 EeV) proton propagation through CMB radiation are pair-production dip and GZK cutoff. The visible characteristics of these two spectral features are ankle, which is intrinsic part of the dip, beginning of GZK cutoff in the differential spectrum and E_{1/2} in integral spectrum. Measured by HiRes and Telescope Array (TA) these characteristics agree with theoretical predictions. However, directly measured mass composition remains a puzzle. While HiRes and TA detectors observe the proton dominated mass composition, the data of Auger detector strongly evidence for nuclei mass composition becoming progressively heavier at energy higher than 4 EeV and reaching Iron at energy about 35 EeV. The models based on the Auger and HiRes/TA data are considered independently and classified using the transition from galactic to extragalactic cosmic rays. The ankle cannot provide this transition. since data of all three detector at energy (1 - 3) EeV agree with pure proton composition (or at least not heavier than Helium). If produced in Galaxy these particles result in too high anisotropy. This argument excludes or strongly disfavours all ankle models with ankle energy E_a > 3 EeV. The calculation of elongation curves, X_{\max}(E), for different ankle models strengthens further this conclusion. Status of other models, the dip, mixed composition and Auger based models are discussed.

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arXiv2013

Extragalactic cosmic rays and their signatures

The signatures of UHE proton propagation through CMB are pair-production dip and GZK cutoff. The visible manifestations of these spectral features are ankle, beginning of GZK cutoff in the differential spectrum and E_{1/2} in integral spectrum. Observed in all experiments, the ankle is usually interpreted as transition from galactic to extragalactic cosmic rays. Using the mass composition measured by HiRes, Telescope Array (TA) and Auger detectors at energy (1-3) EeV, calculated anisotropy of galactic cosmic rays at these energies, and the elongation curves we strongly argue against the interpretation of the ankle given above. The transition must occur at lower energy, most probably at the second knee as the dip model predicts. The other prediction of this model, the shape of the dip, is well confirmed by HiRes, TA, AGASA and Yakutsk detectors, and, after recalibration of energies, by Auger detector. Predicted beginning of GZK cutoff and E_{1/2} agree well with HiRes and TA data. However, directly measured mass composition remains a puzzle. While HiRes and TA detectors observe the proton-dominated mass composition, as required by the dip model, the data of Auger detector strongly evidence for nuclei mass composition becoming steadily heavier at energy higher than 4 EeV and reaching Iron at energy about 35 EeV. The Auger-based scenario is consistent with another interpretation of the ankle at energy E_a=4 EeV as transition from extragalactic protons to extragalactic nuclei. The heavy- nuclei dominance at higher energies may be provided by low-energy of acceleration for protons E_{max} \sim 4 EeV and rigidity-dependent E_{max}^A =Z E_{max}$ for nuclei. The highest energy suppression may be explained as nuclei-destroying cutoff.

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arXiv2012

Transition from galactic to extragalactic cosmic rays

The study of the transition between galactic and extragalactic cosmic rays can shed more light on the end of the Galactic cosmic rays spectrum and the beginning of the extragalactic one. Three models of transition are discussed: ankle, dip and mixed composition models. All these models describe the transition as an intersection of a steep galactic component with a flat extragalactic one. Severe bounds on these models are provided by the Standard Model of Galactic Cosmic Rays according to which the maximum acceleration energy for Iron nuclei is of the order of $E_{\rm Fe}^{\rm max} \approx 1\times 10^{17}$ eV. In the ankle model the transition is assumed at the ankle, a flat feature in the all particle spectrum which observationally starts at energy $E_a \sim (3 - 4)\times 10^{18}$ eV. This model needs a new high energy galactic component with maximum energy about two orders of magnitude above that of the Standard Model. The origin of such component is discussed. As observations are concerned there are two signatures of the transition: change of energy spectra and mass composition. In all models a heavy galactic component is changed at the transition to a lighter or proton component.

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arXiv2012

Analytic calculations of the spectra of ultra high energy cosmic ray nuclei. II. The general case of background radiation

We discuss the problem of ultra high energy nuclei propagation in extragalactic background radiations. The present paper is the continuation of the accompanying paper I where we have presented three new analytic methods to calculate the fluxes and spectra of ultra high energy cosmic ray nuclei, both primary and secondary, and secondary protons. The computation scheme in this paper is based on the analytic solution of coupled kinetic equations, which takes into account the continuous energy losses due to the expansion of the universe and pair-production, together with photo-disintegration of nuclei. This method includes in the most natural way the production of secondary nuclei in the process of photo-disintegration of the primary nuclei during their propagation through extragalactic background radiations. In paper I, in order to present the suggested analytical schemes of calculations, we have considered only the case of the cosmic microwave background radiation, in the present paper we generalize this computation to all relevant background radiations, including infra-red and visible/ultra-violet radiations, collectively referred to as extragalactic background light. The analytic solutions allow transparent physical interpretation of the obtained spectra. Extragalactic background light plays an important role at intermediate energies of ultra high energy cosmic ray nuclei. The most noticeable effect of the extragalactic background light is the low-energy tail in the spectrum of secondary nuclei.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Analytic calculations of the spectra of ultra-high energy cosmic ray nuclei. I. The case of CMB radiation

We present a systematic study of different methods for the analytic calculation of ultra-high energy nuclei diffuse spectra. Nuclei propagating in the intergalactic space are photo-disintegrated and decrease their Lorentz factor due to the interaction with cosmic microwave background and extragalactic background light. We calculate the evolution trajectories in the backward time, that describe how atomic mass number $A$ and Lorentz factor $Γ$ change with redshift $z$. Three methods of spectra calculations are investigated and compared: {\it (i)} trajectory method, {\it(ii)} kinetic equation combined with trajectory calculations and {\it (iii)} coupled kinetic equations. We believe that these three methods exhaust at least the principal possibilities for any analytic solution of the problem. In the most straightforward method {\it(i)} only trajectory calculations are used to connect the observed nuclei flux with the production rate of primary (accelerated) nuclei $A_0$. In the second method {\it (ii)} the flux (space density) of primary nuclei, and secondary nuclei and protons are calculated with the help of kinetic equation and trajectories are used only to determine the generation rates of these nuclei. The third method {\it (iii)} consists in solving the complete set of coupled kinetic equations, written starting with primary nuclei $A_0$, then for $A_0-1$ etc down to the $A$ of interest. The solution of the preceding equation gives the generation rate for the one which follows. An important element of the calculations for all methods is the systematic use of Lorentz factor instead of energy. We consider here the interaction of nuclei only with the cosmic microwave background, this case is particularly suitable for understanding the physical results.

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arXiv2011

UHE neutrinos from Pop III stars: concept and constraints

We reconsider the model of neutrino production during the 'bright phase', first suggested in 1977, in the light of modern understanding of the role of Pop III stars and acceleration of particles in supernova shocks. We concentrate on the production of cosmogenic UHE neutrinos in supernova explosions that accompany the death of Pop III stars. Accelerated protons produce neutrinos in collisions with CMB photons. We deliberately use simplified assumptions which make our results transparent. Pop III stars are assumed to be responsible for the reionization of the universe as observed by WMAP. Since the evolution of Pop III stars is much faster than the Hubble rate, we consider the burst of UHE proton production to occur at fixed redshift (z_b=10-20). We discuss the formation of collisionless shocks and particle acceleration in the early universe. The composition of accelerated particles is expected to be proton dominated. A simple calculation is presented to illustrate the fact that the diffuse neutrinos flux from the bright phase burst is concentrated in a relatively narrow range around $7.5 \times 10^{15}(20/z_b)^2$ eV. The $ν_μ$ flux may be detectable by IceCube without violating the cascade upper limit and the expected energetics of SNe associated with Pop III stars. A possible signature of the neutrino production from Pop III stars may be the detection of resonant neutrino events. For the burst at $z_b=20$ and $\barν_e$-flux at the cascade upper limit, the number of resonant events in IceCube may be as high as 10 events in 5 years of observations. These events have equal energies, $E=6.3\times 10^{15}$ eV, in the form of e-m cascades. Given the large uncertainties in the existing predictions of UHE cosmogenic neutrino fluxes, we argue that neutrinos from the first stars might become one of the most reliable hopes for UHE neutrino astronomy.

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arXiv2011

Disappointing model for ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays

Data of Pierre Auger Observatory show a proton-dominated chemical composition of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays spectrum at (1 - 3) EeV and a steadily heavier composition with energy increasing. In order to explain this feature we assume that (1 - 3) EeV protons are extragalactic and derive their maximum acceleration energy, E_p^{max} \simeq 4 EeV, compatible with both the spectrum and the composition. We also assume the rigidity-dependent acceleration mechanism of heavier nuclei, E_A^{max} = Z x E_p^{max}. The proposed model has rather disappointing consequences: i) no pion photo-production on CMB photons in extragalactic space and hence ii) no high-energy cosmogenic neutrino fluxes; iii) no GZK-cutoff in the spectrum; iv) no correlation with nearby sources due to nuclei deflection in the galactic magnetic fields up to highest energies.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

High Energy Neutrino Astronomy

The short review of theoretical aspects of ultra high energy (UHE) neutrinos. The accelerator sources, such as Supernovae remnants, Gamma Ray Bursts, AGN etc are discussed. The top-down sources include Topological Defects (TDs), Superheavy Dark Matter (SHDM) and Mirror Matter. The diffuse fluxes are considered accordingly as that of cosmogenic and top-down neutrinos. Much attention is given to the cascade upper limit to the diffuse neutrino fluxes in the light of Fermi-LAT data on diffuse high energy gamma radiation. This is most general and rigorous upper limit, valid for both cosmogenic and top-down models. At present upper limits from many detectors are close to the cascade upper limit, and 5 yr IceCube upper limit will be well below it.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays: The disappointing model

We develop a model for explaining the data of Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger) for Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR), in particular, the mass composition being steadily heavier with increasing energy from 3 EeV to 35 EeV. The model is based on the proton-dominated composition in the energy range (1 - 3) EeV observed in both Auger and HiRes experiments. Assuming extragalactic origin of this component, we argue that it must disappear at higher energies due to a low maximum energy of acceleration, E_p^{\max} \sim (4 - 10) EeV. Under an assumption of rigidity acceleration mechanism, the maximum acceleration energy for a nucleus with the charge number Z is ZE_p^{\max}, and the highest energy in the spectrum, reached by Iron, does not exceed (100 - 200) EeV. The growth of atomic weight with energy, observed in Auger, is provided by the rigidity mechanism of acceleration, since at each energy E=ZE_p^{\max} the contribution of nuclei with Z' < Z vanishes. The described model has disappointing consequences for future observations in UHECR: Since average energies per nucleon for all nuclei are less than (2 - 4) EeV, (i) pion photo-production on CMB photons in extragalactic space is absent; (ii) GZK cutoff in the spectrum does not exist; (iii) cosmogenic neutrinos produced on CMBR are absent; (iv) fluxes of cosmogenic neutrinos produced on infrared - optical background radiation are too low for registration by existing detectors and projects. Due to nuclei deflection in galactic magnetic fields, the correlation with nearby sources is absent even at highest energies.

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arXiv2010

Restricting UHECRs and cosmogenic neutrinos with Fermi-LAT

Ultrahigh energy cosmic ray (UHECR) protons interacting with the cosmic microwave background (CMB) produce UHE electrons and gamma-rays that in turn initiate electromagnetic cascades on CMB and infrared photons. As a result, a background of diffuse isotropic gamma radiation is accumulated in the energy range $E\lsim 100$ GeV. The Fermi-LAT collaboration has recently reported a measurement of the extragalactic diffuse background finding it less intense and softer than previously measured by EGRET. We show that this new result constrains UHECR models and the flux of cosmogenic neutrinos. In particular, it excludes models with cosmogenic neutrino fluxes detectable by existing neutrino experiments, while next-generation detectors as e.g. JEM-EUSO can observe neutrinos only for extreme parameters.

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arXiv2010

Superluminal problem in diffusion of relativistic particles and its phenomenological solution

We discuss the superluminal problem in the diffusion of ultra high energy protons with energy losses taken into account. The phenomenological solution of this problem is found with help of the generalized Jüttner propagator, originally proposed for relativization of the Maxwellian gas distribution. It is demonstrated that the generalized Jüttner propagator gives the correct expressions in the limits of diffusive and rectilinear propagation of the charged particles in the magnetic fields, together with the intermediate regime, in all cases without superluminal velocities. This solution, very general for the diffusion, is considered for two particular cases: diffusion inside the stationary objects, like e.g. galaxies, clusters of galaxies etc, and for expanding universe. The comparison with the previously obtained solutions for propagation of UHE protons in magnetic fields is performed.

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arXiv2010

Superdense cosmological dark matter clumps

The formation and evolution of superdense clumps (or subhalos) is studied. Such clumps of dark matter (DM) can be produced by many mechanisms, most notably by spiky features in the spectrum of inflationary perturbations and by cosmological phase transitions. Being produced very early during the radiation dominated epoch, superdense clumps evolve as isolated objects. They do not belong to hierarchical structures for a long time after production, and therefore they are not destroyed by tidal interactions during the formation of larger structures. For DM particles with masses close to the electroweak (EW) mass scale, superdense clumps evolve towards a power-law density profile $ρ(r) \propto r^{-1.8}$ with a central core. Superdense clumps cannot be composed of standard neutralinos, since their annihilations would overproduce the diffuse gamma radiation. If the clumps are constituted of superheavy DM particles and develop a sufficiently large central density, the evolution of their central part can lead to a 'gravithermal catastrophe.' In such a case, the initial density profile turns into an isothermal profile with $ρ\propto r^{-2}$ and a new, much smaller core in the center. Superdense clumps can be bserved by gamma radiation from DM annihilations and by gravitational wave detectors, while the production of primordial black holes and cascade nucleosynthesis constrain this scenario.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Annihilations of superheavy dark matter in superdense clumps

Superheavy dark matter (SHDM) exchanges energy with its environment much slower than particles with masses close to the electroweak (EW) scale and has therefore different small-scale clustering properties. Using the neutralino as candidate for the SHDM, we find that free-streaming allows the formation of DM clumps of all masses down to $\sim 260 m_χ$ in the case of bino. If small-scale clumps evolve from a non-standard, spiky spectrum of perturbations, DM clumps may form during the radiation dominated era. These clumps are not destroyed by tidal interactions and can be extremely dense. In the case of a bino, a "gravithermal catastrophe" can develop in the central part of the most dense clumps, increasing further the central density and thus the annihilation signal. In the case of a higgsino, the annihilation signal is enhanced by the Sommerfeld effect. As a result annihilations of superheavy neutralinos in dense clumps may lead to observable fluxes of annihilation products in the form of ultrahigh energy particles, for both cases, higgsinos and binos, as lightest supersymmetric particles.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

UHE neutrino astronomy and neutrino oscillations

UHE neutrinos with $E>10^{17}$ eV can be produced by ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR) interacting with CMB photons (cosmogenic neutrinos) and by top-down sources, such as topological defects (TD), superheavy dark matter (SHDM) and mirror matter. Cosmogenic neutrinos are reliably predicted and their fluxes can be numerically evaluated using the observed flux of UHECR. The lower limit for the flux is obtained for the case of pure proton composition of the observed UHECR. The rigorous upper limit for cosmogenic neutrino flux also exists. The maximum neutrino energy is determined by maximum energy of acceleration, which at least for the shock acceleration is expected not to exceed $10^{21} - 10^{22}$ eV. The top-down sources provide neutrino energies a few orders of magnitude higher, and this can be considered as a signature of these models. Oscillations play important role in UHE neutrino astronomy. At production of cosmogenic neutrinos $τ$-neutrinos are absent and $\barν_e$ neutrinos are suppressed. These species, important for detection, appear in the observed fluxes due to oscillation. Mirror neutrinos cannot be observed directly, but due to oscillations to ordinary neutrinos they can provide the largest neutrino flux at the highest energies.

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