Related papers: Cosmic ray drift, the second knee and galactic ani…
A "knee" in the cosmic-ray spectrum, characterized by a sudden steepening of the spectral shape at $\sim 4$ PeV, may be interpreted either as a global feature of Galactic cosmic rays or as a local signature. In the former scenario,…
We begin with a brief overview of highest-energy cosmic ray data, and the experiments which will perform neutrino astronomy. We then discuss two particle physics aspects of neutrinos. They are possible long-lifetime decay of the neutrino,…
We have proposed that the cosmic ray spectrum "knee", the steepening of the cosmic ray spectrum at energy $E \gsim 10^{15.5}$ eV, is due to "new physics", namely new interactions at TeV cm energies which produce particles undetected by the…
The study of the transition between galactic and extragalactic cosmic rays can shed more light on the end of the Galactic cosmic rays spectrum and the beginning of the extragalactic one. Three models of transition are discussed: ankle, dip…
After a brief review of galactic cosmic rays in the GeV to TeV energy range, we describe some current problems of interest for particles of very high energy. Particularly interesting are two features of the spectrum, the `knee' above…
We explore the possibility that a new physics interaction can provide an explanation for the knee just above $10^6$ GeV in the cosmic ray spectrum. We model the new physics modifications to the total proton-proton cross section with an…
In a comprehensive model of Cosmic Rays (CRs) proposed a decade ago, the energies of the spectral "knees" of the various CR species were predicted to be proportional to mass, rather than charge. The model also predicts the knees to occur at…
We consider the stochastic propagation of high-energy protons and nuclei in the cosmological microwave and infrared backgrounds, using revised photonuclear cross-sections and following primary and secondary nuclei in the full 2D nuclear…
The energy at which cosmic rays from extra-galactic sources begin to dominate over those from galactic sources is an important open question in astroparticle physics. A natural candidate is the energy at the 'ankle' in the approximately…
The origin mechanism of the cosmic-ray knee region remains an unresolved mystery, with acceleration, interaction, and propagation models drawing significant attention. The latest experimental observations of the PeV total spectrum,…
A detailed investigation of radio galaxies has recently stressed these sources as the possible origin of the cosmic rays observed above $3\,\text{EeV}$. Here, the relevance of this model at energies below $3\,\text{EeV}$ is investigated.…
Understanding the transition from Galactic to extragalactic cosmic rays (CRs) is essential to make sense of the Local cosmic ray spectrum. Several models have been proposed to account for this transition in the 0.1 - 10 $\times 10^{18}$ eV…
We study the effect of the stochastic character of supernova explosions on the anisotropy of galactic cosmic rays below the knee. We conclude that if the bulk of cosmic rays are produced in supernova explosions the observed small and nearly…
The Galactic cosmic ray spectrum is a remarkably straight power law. Our current understanding is that the dominant sources that accelerate cosmic rays up to the knee ($3 \times 10^{15}$ eV) or perhaps even the ankle ($3 \times 10^{18}$…
We review progress in high-energy cosmic ray physics focusing on recent experimental results and models developed for their interpretation. Emphasis is put on the propagation of charged cosmic rays, covering the whole range from $\sim…
The knee-like structure around 4 PeV is the most striking feature in the cosmic ray energy spectrum, whose origin remains enigmatic. We propose a novel concept of the total logarithmic mass energy spectrum to characterize the knee, taking…
(Abridged) Recent results from the Pierre Auger Observatory (PAO) indicate that the composition of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) with energies above $10^{19}$ eV may be dominated by heavy nuclei. An important question is whether…
Interactions between cosmic ray protons and the photons of the cosmic microwave background radiation, as well as the expansion of the universe, cause cosmic rays to lose energy in a way that depends on the distance from the cosmic nray…
The cosmic-ray (CR) knee and the compositions contain abundant information for probing the CR's origin, acceleration and propagation mechanisms, as well as the frontier of the fundamental physics. Realizing that major proposals toward the…
Cosmic rays are atomic nuclei arriving from outer space that reach the highest energies observed in nature. Clues to their origin come from studying the distribution of their arrival directions. Using $3 \times 10^4$ cosmic rays above $8…