Where is the End of the Cosmic-Ray Electron Spectrum?

Takahiro Sudoh, John F. Beacom

Published 2023-08-25Version 1

Detecting the end of the cosmic-ray (CR) electron spectrum would provide important new insights. While we know that Milky Way sources can accelerate electrons up to at least $\sim$1~PeV, the observed CR electron spectrum at Earth extends only up to 5~TeV (possibly 20~TeV), a large discrepancy. The question of the end of the CR electron spectrum has received relatively little attention, despite its importance. We take a comprehensive approach, showing that there are multiple steps at which the observed CR electron spectrum could be cut off. At the highest energies, the accelerators may not have sufficient luminosity, or the sources may not allow sufficient escape, or propagation to Earth may not be sufficiently effective, or present detectors may not have sufficient sensitivity. For each step, we calculate a rough range of possibilities. Although all of the inputs are uncertain, a clear vista of exciting opportunities emerges. We outline strategies for progress based on CR electron observations and auxiliary multi-messenger observations. In addition to advancing our understanding of CRs in the Milky Way, progress will also sharpen sensitivity to dark matter annihilation or decay.