Abstract
We critically review the common belief that ultrahigh energy cosmic rays are protons or atomic nuclei with masses not exceeding that of iron. We find that heavier nuclei are indeed possible, and discuss possible sources and acceleration mechanisms for such primaries. We also show detailed simulations of extensive air showers produced by "superheavy" nuclei, and discuss prospects for their detection in future experiments.
Keywords
ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, superheavy nuclei, astrophysics
Subject Categories
Cosmic rays
Disciplines
Physics
Publication Date
2001
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
Anchordoqui, L. A.; Dova, M. T.; McCauley, T. P.; Paul, T.; Reucroft, S.; and Swain, J. D., "A pot of gold at the end of the cosmic "raynbow"?" (2001). Physics Faculty Publications. Paper 10. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20000363
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Notes
Originally posted at http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0006071v1. Preprint of an article published in Nuclear Physics B - Proceedings Supplements, v.97 no.1-3, 2001.