Binary neutron star mergers as the source of the highest energy cosmic rays

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Farrar, Glennys R.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Farrar, Glennys R.
author_facet Farrar, Glennys R.
contents We propose that ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are produced in binary neutron star mergers. This scenario can account for the heretofore inexplicable narrow rigidity range of UHECRs, because the jets of BNS mergers are generated by a gravitationally-driven dynamo and thus are nearly identical due to the narrow range of BNS masses. Observed UHECRs with energies well beyond 100 EeV can be explained as $r$-process nuclei, without invoking an exotic source class. Evidence for this mechanism, and its prediction of coincidences between neutrinos above 10 PeV and gravitational waves, are discussed.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2405_12004
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Binary neutron star mergers as the source of the highest energy cosmic rays
Farrar, Glennys R.
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
We propose that ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are produced in binary neutron star mergers. This scenario can account for the heretofore inexplicable narrow rigidity range of UHECRs, because the jets of BNS mergers are generated by a gravitationally-driven dynamo and thus are nearly identical due to the narrow range of BNS masses. Observed UHECRs with energies well beyond 100 EeV can be explained as $r$-process nuclei, without invoking an exotic source class. Evidence for this mechanism, and its prediction of coincidences between neutrinos above 10 PeV and gravitational waves, are discussed.
title Binary neutron star mergers as the source of the highest energy cosmic rays
topic High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
High Energy Physics - Phenomenology
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2405.12004