$e^+$ and $\bar{p}$ production in $pp$ collisions and the cosmic-ray $e^+/\bar{p}$ flux ratio

TL;DR

This paper models the production of positrons and antiprotons in cosmic rays from proton-proton collisions, comparing theoretical production ratios with AMS02 measurements to understand cosmic-ray flux ratios across energies.

Contribution

It provides updated parametrizations of secondary production cross sections at LHC energies and compares the calculated flux ratios with recent AMS02 data.

Findings

At 10-100 GeV, measured flux ratio is about 50% below the production rate.

At energies above 100 GeV, measured flux matches the secondary production ratio.

The study highlights energy-dependent discrepancies in cosmic-ray flux ratios.

Abstract

Secondary astrophysical production of $e^+$ and $\bar{p}$ cosmic rays is considered. Inclusive $\pi$, $K$, and $\bar{p}$ production cross sections in $pp$ collisions at large $\sqrt{s}$ are parametrised using recent experimental data at LHC energies. The astrophysical production rate ratio $Q_{e^+}/Q_{\bar{p}}$ is calculated for an input cosmic ray proton flux consistent with local measurements. At $10<E<100$$\sim$GeV the cosmic ray flux ratio $J_{e^+}/J_{\bar{p}}$ measured by AMS02 falls below the production rate ratio by about 50\%, while at high energy $E>100$$\sim$GeV the measured flux ratio coincides with the production rate ratio of the secondary source.