Ultra High-Energy Interaction of CR protons

Abstract

The recent Auger results suggest that although coincidences of arrival directions with 'nearby' AGN and HiRes discovery of the GZK cut-off indicate protons, the measured longitudinal propagation characteristics indicate heavy nuclei, if the conventional interaction model is correct. Something has to change! Our own view is that it is possible that the AGN -implied proton identification is not correct and that the extra galactic particles are, in fact, mainly 'heavies', in which case the interaction problem goes away. However, here we assume that the particles ARE protons and examine the possible consequences. Parameters discussed include the interaction mean-free-path, inelasticities and 'exotic' possibilities.