Abstract
It is analytically shown that the total absorption of the hadron component of extensive air showers and the transition to the pure electromagnetic cascade cannot cause the observed sharp knee in the cosmic ray energy spectrum. This fact and the absence of proved nuclear models allow the conclusion that the knee origin is astrophysical.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
U. V. Kulikov and G. B. Khristiansen, “On the Size Spectrum of Extensive Air Showers,” Sov. Phys. JETP 35 (8), 635 (1959).
Yu. V. Stenkin, “EAS Longitudinal Development and the Knee.” http://arxiv:0707.2231v
V. S. Murzin and L. I. Sarycheva, Cosmic Rays and Their Interaction (Atomizdat, Moscow, 1964).
A. D. Erlykin and A. W. Wolfendale, “Structure in the Cosmic Ray Spectrum: an Update,” J. Phys G: Nucl. Part. Phys. 27, 1005 (2001). doi 10.1088/954-3899/27/5/305
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Translated by A. Kazantsev
About this article
Cite this article
Erlykin, A.D., Machavariani, S.K. On the Origin of the Knee in the Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum. Bull. Lebedev Phys. Inst. 48, 31–34 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068335621020032
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068335621020032