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Published on: November 15, 2013
High-energy antiprotons from old supernova remnants
Pasquale Blasi1, Pasquale D Serpico
1INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi, 5 50125 Firenze, Italy.
Physical Review Letters
|October 2, 2009
Summary
A new model suggests supernova remnants produce positrons and antiprotons. This model aligns with current data but predicts a distinct rise in the antiproton-to-proton ratio at high energies, impacting dark matter searches.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Particle Physics
Background:
- The PAMELA satellite measured a rising positron fraction, prompting new astrophysical models.
- Supernova remnants are potential sources of high-energy cosmic rays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the antiproton flux from a model of hadronic positron production in supernova remnants.
- To compare this model's predictions with existing cosmic ray data.
Main Methods:
- Preliminary calculations of antiproton flux based on a specific astrophysical model.
- Comparison of model predictions with experimental data from cosmic ray observations.
Main Results:
- The proposed model is consistent with current observational data.
- A significant rise in the antiproton-to-proton ratio at high energies is predicted.
Conclusions:
- The supernova remnant model offers a distinct astrophysical explanation for cosmic ray anomalies.
- The predicted antiproton flux has implications for distinguishing between astrophysical sources and dark matter signals.
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