Possible Interpretations of the High Energy Cosmic Ray Electron Spectrum measured with the Fermi Space Telescope

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the high-energy cosmic ray electron spectrum measured by Fermi, exploring astrophysical sources and interpretations in relation to other experiments to understand cosmic ray origins and propagation.

Contribution

It provides a detailed discussion of possible astrophysical interpretations of Fermi's electron spectrum data, considering various sources and recent experimental results.

Findings

Fermi's measurements offer precise data on high-energy electrons.

Astrophysical sources can explain the observed spectrum features.

Comparisons with other experiments suggest multiple contributing sources.

Abstract

The Fermi Large Area Telescope has provided the measurement of the high energy (20 GeV to 1 TeV) cosmic ray electrons and positrons spectrum with unprecedented accuracy. This measurement represents a unique probe for studying the origin and diffusive propagation of cosmic rays as well as for looking for possible evidences of Dark Matter. In this contribution we focus mainly on astrophysical sources of cosmic ray electrons and positrons which include the standard primary and secondary diffuse galactic contribution, as well as nearby point-sources which are expected to contribute more significantly to higher energies. In this framework, we discuss possible interpretations of Fermi results in relation with other recent experimental data on energetic electrons and positrons (specifically the most recent ones reported by PAMELA, ATIC, PPB-BETS and H.E.S.S.).