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Constraints On The Production Of Ultra–High-Energy Cosmic Rays By Isolated Neutron Stars, Aparna Venkatesan, M Coleman Miller, Angela V. Olinto

Physics and Astronomy

The energetics, spectrum, and composition of cosmic rays with energies below ~10¹⁵ eV are fairly well explained by models involving supernova shocks. In contrast, no widely accepted theory exists for the origin of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), which have energies above 10¹⁵ eV. Instead of proposing a specific model, here we place strong constraints on any model of UHECRs involving isolated neutron stars (no companions). We consider the total power requirements and show that the only viable power source associated with isolated neutron stars is rotation. Mechanisms based on accretion from the interstellar medium fall short of the …