Plus Charge Prevalence in Cosmic Rays: Room for Dark Matter in the Positron Spectrum

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel astrophysical explanation for the positron/electron ratio in cosmic rays, involving shock modifications in supernova remnants and potential dark matter contributions at high energies.

Contribution

It introduces a new model where positrons are accelerated in modified SNR shocks within clumpy media, explaining the observed spectrum and suggesting room for dark matter effects.

Findings

Positron/electron ratio rises with energy up to 400 GeV.

Modified SNR shocks can produce a harder positron spectrum.

Dark matter contribution may explain excess at 100-300 GeV.

Abstract

The unexpected energy spectrum of the positron/electron ratio is interpreted astrophysically, with a possible exception of the 100-300 GeV range. The data indicate that this ratio, after a decline between $0.5-8$ GeV, rises steadily with a trend towards saturation at 200-400GeV. These observations (except for the trend) appear to be in conflict with the diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) mechanism, operating in a \emph{single} supernova remnant (SNR) shock. We argue that $e^{+}/e^{-}$ ratio can still be explained by the DSA if positrons are accelerated in a \emph{subset} of SNR shocks which: (i) propagate in clumpy gas media, and (ii) are modified by accelerated CR \emph{protons}. The protons penetrate into the dense gas clumps upstream to produce positrons and, \emph{charge the clumps positively}. The induced electric field expels positrons into the upstream plasma where they are shock-accelerated. Since the shock is modified, these positrons develop a harder spectrum than that of the CR electrons accelerated in other SNRs. Mixing these populations explains the increase in the $e^{+}/e^{-}$ ratio at $E>8$ GeV. It decreases at $E<8$ GeV because of a subshock weakening which also results from the shock modification. Contrary to the expelled positrons, most of the antiprotons, electrons, and heavier nuclei, are left unaccelerated inside the clumps. Scenarios for the 100-300 GeV AMS-02 fraction exceeding the model prediction, including, but not limited to, possible dark matter contribution, are also discussed.