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Universal Geometric Scaling in Cosmic Ray Spallation: Evidence of a Dynamical Causal Horizon from AMS-02

Yi Yang

Abstract

The interpretation of high-precision cosmic ray spectra is fundamentally bottlenecked by uncertainties in fragmentation cross-sections. Traditional kinematic models, driven by phase-space expansions, typically predict complex, energy-dependent evolutions. However, AMS-02 measurements reveal that at high rigidities ($R > 30$~GV), secondary-to-secondary flux ratios (Li/B, Be/B, and Li/Be) strictly converge to energy-independent plateaus. To understand this anomaly, we explore a macroscopic geometric framework. The ultra-relativistic spallation of a target nucleus snaps residual strong-interaction flux tubes, inducing an extreme deceleration on the remnant. Using a semi-microscopic estimation based on the Woods-Saxon potential and pion exchange, we suggest this dynamically generates a causal horizon with an effective Unruh temperature $T_U \approx 5.6-5.8$~MeV. Utilizing the Be/B ratio as an absolute calibration channel, we extract an asymptotic scale of $6.08$~MeV, remarkably consistent with our theoretical estimation and the established nuclear liquid-gas phase transition limit. Subsequent blind tests on Lithium ratios demonstrate a universal zero-slope convergence, providing compelling evidence that a constant geometric thermal bath effectively supersedes complex microscopic kinematics at high energies.

Universal Geometric Scaling in Cosmic Ray Spallation: Evidence of a Dynamical Causal Horizon from AMS-02

Abstract

The interpretation of high-precision cosmic ray spectra is fundamentally bottlenecked by uncertainties in fragmentation cross-sections. Traditional kinematic models, driven by phase-space expansions, typically predict complex, energy-dependent evolutions. However, AMS-02 measurements reveal that at high rigidities (~GV), secondary-to-secondary flux ratios (Li/B, Be/B, and Li/Be) strictly converge to energy-independent plateaus. To understand this anomaly, we explore a macroscopic geometric framework. The ultra-relativistic spallation of a target nucleus snaps residual strong-interaction flux tubes, inducing an extreme deceleration on the remnant. Using a semi-microscopic estimation based on the Woods-Saxon potential and pion exchange, we suggest this dynamically generates a causal horizon with an effective Unruh temperature ~MeV. Utilizing the Be/B ratio as an absolute calibration channel, we extract an asymptotic scale of ~MeV, remarkably consistent with our theoretical estimation and the established nuclear liquid-gas phase transition limit. Subsequent blind tests on Lithium ratios demonstrate a universal zero-slope convergence, providing compelling evidence that a constant geometric thermal bath effectively supersedes complex microscopic kinematics at high energies.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 4 equations, 3 figures.

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: The AMS-02 Be/B flux ratio. In the asymptotic regime ($R > 30$ GV), propagation effects analytically cancel. The data rigorously align with a constant fit ($\chi^2/\text{ndf} = 0.50$).
  • Figure 2: Universal geometric horizon test. Independent of the distinct $\alpha$-clustering phase spaces involved in Li production, all three secondary ratios exhibit a simultaneous zero-slope convergence for $R > 30$ GV.
  • Figure 3: Control group: Secondary-to-Primary ratios (B/C and B/O). When the escape grammage $\tau_{\text{esc}}(R)$ does not analytically cancel, the data strictly follow the expected $R^{-\delta}$ propagation decline.