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Physical conditions in potential accelerators of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays: updated Hillas plot and radiation-loss constraints

K. V. Ptitsyna^a, S. V. Troitskii<sup>b

a</sup> M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University
^b Institute for Nuclear Research, Russian Academy of Sciences

Abstract: We review basic constraints on the acceleration of ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic rays (CRs) in astrophysical sources, namely, the geometrical (Hillas) criterion and the restrictions from radiation losses in different acceleration regimes. Using the latest available astrophysical data, we redraw the Hillas plot and find potential UHECR accelerators. For the acceleration in central engines of active galactic nuclei, we constrain the maximal UHECR energy for a given black hole mass. Among active galaxies, only the most powerful ones, radio galaxies and blazars, are able to accelerate protons to UHE, though acceleration of heavier nuclei is possible in much more abundant lower-power Seyfert galaxies.

PACS: 98.54.-h, 98.62.En, 98.70.Sa

Received: January 21, 2010

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0180.201007c.0723

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 2010, 53:7, 691–701

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