Photon losses in cosmic ray acceleration in active galactic nuclei
Conference
·
OSTI ID:7096002
The usual assumption of the acceleration of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays, greater than or equal to 10/sup 18/ eV in quasars, Seyfert galaxies, and other active galactic nuclei is challenged on the basis of the photon interactions with the accelerated nucleons. This is similar to the effect of the black body radiation on particles > 10/sup 20/ eV for times of the age of the universe except that the photon spectrum is harder and the energy density greater by approx. = 10/sup 13/. Hence, a single traversal, radial or circumferential, of radiation whose energy density is no greater than the emitted flux will damp an ultrahigh energy cosmic ray 10/sup 20/ eV by greater than 10/sup 4/ times its energy. Hence, it is unlikely that any reasonable configuration of acceleration can avoid disastrous photon energy loss. A different site for ultrahigh energy cosmic ray acceleration must be found.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 7096002
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-84-1666; CONF-840280-3; ON: DE84012583
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Photon damping in cosmic-ray acceleration in active galactic nuclei
Primary gamma rays with energy 10/sup 14/-10/sup 16/ eV and possible sources of cosmic rays in the galaxy
Cosmic rays, supernova, and the origin of ultrahigh energy particles
Conference
·
Thu Apr 07 04:00:00 UTC 1983
·
OSTI ID:6081815
Primary gamma rays with energy 10/sup 14/-10/sup 16/ eV and possible sources of cosmic rays in the galaxy
Journal Article
·
Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1986
· Astrophysics (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5200167
Cosmic rays, supernova, and the origin of ultrahigh energy particles
Conference
·
Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 UTC 1985
·
OSTI ID:5600962