arXiv:0912.0264·v1·High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
New Constraints on the Highest-Energy Cosmic-Ray Electrons and Positrons
Matthew D. Kistler (Ohio State) · Hasan Yuksel (Bartol/Delaware)
Abstract
At energies above a few TeV, no measurements of the cosmic-ray electron spectrum exist yet. By considering the similarity of air showers induced by electrons and gamma rays as seen by ground-based arrays, we use published limits on isotropic gamma-ray fluxes to place first constraints on the >10 TeV electron spectrum. We demonstrate that, due the proximity of known sources, the flux of such electrons (and positrons) can be large. We show how these smoothly connect to lower-energy positrons measured by PAMELA and relate to exciting new indications from Fermi.
Comments: 4 pages, 2 figures