The origin of the spectral intensities of cosmic-ray positrons

TL;DR

This paper discusses the spectral intensities of cosmic-ray positrons measured by AMS, compares models fitting observed data, and explores potential signals from mono-energetic sources like dark matter annihilation.

Contribution

It introduces an extended model fitting positron spectra at high energies and analyzes expected signals from mono-energetic sources such as dark matter.

Findings

Models can fit observed positron spectra up to high energies

Predicted signals from dark matter annihilation show distinctive spectral features

Comparison of different models highlights the importance of accurate interpretation

Abstract

AMS instrument aboard the International Space Station is a high precision instrument capable of collecting large statistics on cosmic ray intensities and as such has started making highly significant contributions to Astroparticle Physics. In order to fully benefit from these observations, the positron fraction in cosmic rays in their recent publication and other results that will follow, the models to interpret the results have to be equally good. We enlarge on this remark by citing examples from the currently popular model and one of our own fitting the observed spectra of positrons, extending it to higher energies. We also show what one might expect to observe from a mono-energetic source, such as the annihilation of dark matter.