The Cosmic-Ray Positron and Electron Excess: An Experimentalist's Point of View
Abstract
Description
The recent report by the PAMELA team of the observed rise in the cosmic-ray positron fraction above a few GeV and the report of an excess of cosmic-ray electrons around a few hundred GeV by the ATIC collaboration has resulted in a flurry of publications interpreting these observations either as a possible signature from the decay of dark matter or as a contribution from isolated astrophysical sources. While those interpretations are scientifically exciting, the possibility that measurements are contaminated by misidentified cosmic ray protons can not be ignored.
4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in the proceedings of "44th Rencontres de Moriond", La Thuile (Val d'Aosta, Italy) "Very High Energy Phenomena in the Universe"
4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in the proceedings of "44th Rencontres de Moriond", La Thuile (Val d'Aosta, Italy) "Very High Energy Phenomena in the Universe"