Fundamental Physics with Charged Particle Measurements at the Cherenkov Telescope Array

TL;DR

This paper explores how the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), mainly designed for gamma-ray astronomy, can also measure charged cosmic particles like electrons, protons, and antimatter, providing insights into astrophysics and dark matter.

Contribution

It presents the scientific potential of CTA for charged particle measurements, expanding its capabilities beyond gamma-ray detection to fundamental physics investigations.

Findings

CTA can detect cosmic electrons and positrons.

CTA can contribute to dark matter research through charged particle measurements.

Potential for CTA to complement other astrophysical messengers.

Abstract

Cosmic electrons, positrons, protons, and antiprotons carry essential information about both astrophysical processes and fundamental physics. Charged particles provide signatures of dark matter annihilation or decay, \emph{in situ} in the universe, that are complementary to the other messengers of indirect dark matter detection, gamma rays and neutrinos. We discuss the science potential for measurements of charged particles by the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), an instrument under development primarily for the study of cosmic gamma rays with energies $30\ \textrm{GeV} - 200\ \textrm{TeV}$.