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arXiv · 1012.4562

The knee in the cosmic ray energy spectrum: a pulsar/supernova origin?

Tadeusz Wibig·Arnold W. Wolfendale
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Abstract

The origin of the prominent 'knee' in the cosmic ray energy spectrum at an energy of several PeV is still uncertain. A recent mechanism has shown promise, however; this involves particles from a very young pulsar interacting with the radiation field from a very young supernova remnant. The ensuing nuclear reaction of the particles with the photons by way of e+e- production then causes the characteristic knee. In an earlier paper we argued that the mechanism would imply only one source of a very rare type - if it were to explain the spectral shape. Here we examine the mechanism in more detail and conclude that for even a single source to work its characteristics would need to be so unusual that the mechanism would not be possible for any known type of pulsar-supernova combination.

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Tadeusz Wibig, Arnold W. Wolfendale. 2010-12-21. The knee in the cosmic ray energy spectrum: a pulsar/supernova origin?. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874381101104010211

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