A Detectable Ultra-high-energy Cosmic-Ray Outburst from GRB 221009A

Abstract

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been proposed as one of the promising sources of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs), but observational evidence is still lacking. The nearby brightest of all time GRB 221009A, a once in 1000 yr event, is able to accelerate protons to ∼103 EeV, and then generate extremly energetic neutrons via the photomeson production interaction. Protons arriving at the Milky Way are dominated by neutron-decay-induced protons. The intergalactic magnetic fields would not yield a sizable delay of the ≥10 EeV cosmic rays if its strength is ≲10−13 G, while Galactic magnetic fields would cause a significant time delay. We predict that a UHECR burst from GRB 221009A would be detectable by the Pierre Auger Observatory and the TA×4, within ∼10 yr. The detection of such a UHECR outburst will provide the direct evidence for UHECR acceleration in GRBs.