Eur Phys J C (2004) 33: s950-s952
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjcd/s2003-03-1207-7

PS12 Particle Astrophysics (cosmic rays)

Particle physics solutions to the UHECR puzzle – 2003

Max-Planck-Institut für Physik (Werner-Heisenberg-Institut), München,  

Received: 12 November 2003
Accepted: 25 November 2003
Published online: 3 December 2003

Abstract

The status of solutions to the ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) puzzle that involve particle physics beyond the standard model is reviewed. Signatures and experimental constraints are discussed for the most promising suggestions like the Z-burst model and topological defects (allowed only as subdominant contributions), supermassive dark matter (no positive evidence in its favor), strongly interacting neutrinos or new primaries (no viable models known), and violation of Lorentz invariance (viable).

PACS: 98.70.Sa Cosmic-rays