Abstract
Electron capture (EC) isotopes are known to provide constraints on the low-energy behavior of cosmic rays (CRs), such as reacceleration. Here, we study the EC isotopes within the framework of the dynamic spiral-arms CR propagation model in which most of the CR sources reside in the galactic spiral arms. The model was previously used to explain the B/C and sub-Fe/Fe ratios. We show that the known inconsistency between the 49Ti/49V and 51V/51Cr ratios remains also in the spiral-arms model. On the other hand, unlike the general wisdom that says the isotope ratios depend primarily on reacceleration, we find here that the ratio also depends on the halo size (Z h) and, in spiral-arms models, also on the time since the last spiral-arm passage (). Namely, EC isotopes can, in principle, provide interesting constraints on the diffusion geometry. However, with the present uncertainties in the lab measurements of both the electron attachment rate and the fragmentation cross sections, no meaningful constraint can be placed.
Original language | American English |
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Article number | 109 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 851 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 20 Dec 2017 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work is supported by an Advanced ERC grant (TP), the Israel Science Foundation (grant no. 1423/15, NS), and by the I-CORE Program of the Planning and Budgeting Committee and The Israel Science Foundation (1829/12).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved..
Keywords
- Galaxy: kinematics and dynamics
- cosmic rays
- diffusion