Constraints on top-down models for the origin of UHECRs from the Pierre Auger Observatory data

2007/06/20 by D. Semikoz, Semikoz, D. V. · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #FOS: Physical sciences #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0706.2960

openalex publication_date 2007/06/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Taking into account the Pierre Auger Observatory limits on the photon fraction among the highest energy cosmic rays, we show that the models based on the decay of super-heavy dark matter in the halo of our Galaxy are essentially excluded from being the sources of UHECRs unless their contribution becomes significant only above 100 EeV. Some top-down models based on topological defects are however compatible with the current data and may be best constrained in the future by the high-energy neutrino flux limit.

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