Exotic PeVatrons as sources of ultra-high-energy gamma rays

We explore novel classes of exotic astrophysical sources capable of producing ultra-high-energy gamma rays extending beyond the PeV scale, motivated by quantum gravity scenarios and dark matter phenomenology. These sources include: ultra-spinning black hole vortex-string systems; exotic compact objects such as boson star, axion star and Q-ball. Such Exotica generate powerful magnetic fields through interactions with millicharged dark matter, enabling particle acceleration mechanisms that surpass the energy limits of conventional astrophysical sources like pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants. We demonstrate that such exotic PeVatrons could be distributed throughout our Galaxy and may be detectable by current (LHAASO, HAWC) and next-generation (CTA) gamma-ray observatories.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics
Published
2026-01-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jheap.2026.100561
Primary Topic
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
Type
article
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article

Exotic PeVatrons as sources of ultra-high-energy gamma rays

S. Capozziello, Qingyu Gan, Andrea Addazi
Journal of High Energy Astrophysics
Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
article

Exotic PeVatrons as sources of ultra-high-energy gamma rays

S. Capozziello, Qingyu Gan, Andrea Addazi
article en

Abstract

We explore novel classes of exotic astrophysical sources capable of producing ultra-high-energy gamma rays extending beyond the PeV scale, motivated by quantum gravity scenarios and dark matter phenomenology. These sources include: ultra-spinning black hole vortex-string systems; exotic compact objects such as boson star, axion star and Q-ball. Such Exotica generate powerful magnetic fields through interactions with millicharged dark matter, enabling particle acceleration mechanisms that surpass the energy limits of conventional astrophysical sources like pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants. We demonstrate that such exotic PeVatrons could be distributed throughout our Galaxy and may be detectable by current (LHAASO, HAWC) and next-generation (CTA) gamma-ray observatories.

Journal of High Energy AstrophysicsVol. 52
Center for Theoretical Physics (PL), Clinical Research Organization (BD), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Napoli (IT), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (IT), Scuola Superiore Meridionale (IT), Anqing Normal University (CN)
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Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
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