Energy Spectrum of Cosmic-Ray Electrons at TeV Energies

TLDR

Ground‑based gamma‑ray telescopes, with their very large collection area, have a substantial advantage over balloon or satellite instruments for detecting very‑high‑energy (>600 GeV) cosmic‑ray electrons. Here we present the electron spectrum derived from data taken with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). The measurement was performed with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), a system of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. The measurement extends the electron spectrum beyond the range accessible to direct measurements and shows a substantial steepening above 600 GeV.

Abstract

The very large collection area of ground-based gamma-ray telescopes gives them a substantial advantage over balloon or satellite based instruments in the detection of very-high-energy (>600 GeV) cosmic-ray electrons. Here we present the electron spectrum derived from data taken with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. In this measurement, the first of this type, we are able to extend the measurement of the electron spectrum beyond the range accessible to direct measurements. We find evidence for a substantial steepening in the energy spectrum above 600 GeV compared to lower energies.