Changes in the energy spectra of different groups of nuclei during propagation of cosmic rays in the galaxy

Abstract

The effect of cosmic-ray propagation on the energy spectra of the cosmic rays observed at the Earth is analyzed using numerical simulation of trajectories. The grammage data on the cosmic-ray nuclei and the probabilities of their interaction are given for different models of the regular magnetic field of the Galaxy. Possible flattening of the energy spectra of heavy elements in comparison with the spectra of light elements, which is due to the effect of nuclear spallation during cosmic-ray propagation, is noted. With allowance for the results obtained, the energy spectra of cosmic rays determined from the data on extensive air showers are compared with the predictions of the conventional model of cosmic-ray acceleration by a shock wave.