标题： 最高能量下的质子-质子相互作用：灰盘模型和芯-冠模型 显示英文标题

标题： Proton-proton interactions at the Highest Energies: the Grey-Disk and the Core-Corona models

摘要： 在这封信中，提出了一个结合灰盘模型和核冕模型的场景，旨在解释在地球大气层中最高能量粒子相互作用时观察到的不同意外特征。 特别是，假设超高能宇宙射线谱主要由少数河外源产生的质子主导，并且这些源具有不同的注入谱和最大能量截止值，从而解释了观测到的$X_{\rm max}$和$N_\mu$的分布。 此外，还简要讨论了这一异端场景与其他相关观测结果的一致性，例如能谱中的台阶区域、$X_{\rm max}$与地面检测信号之间的事件间关联以及至今未探测到超高能中微子或光子。 如果得到证实，这种场景将极大地改变对超高能宇宙射线初级成分及其源特性的现有理解。 显示英文摘要

摘要： In this letter, the Grey-Disk and the Core-Corona models are combined in a scenario that aims to explain different unexpected features observed in the interactions of the highest energy particles in the Earth's atmosphere. In particular, the observed distributions of $X_{\rm max}$ and $N_\mu$ are explained, assuming that the ultra-high-energy cosmic ray spectrum is dominated by protons produced by a few extra-galactic sources with different injection spectra and maximum energy cutoffs. The compliance of this heterodox scenario with other relevant observations as the instep region in the energy spectrum, the event-by-event correlations between $X_{\rm max}$ and the detected signal at the ground and the absence of detection, so far, of UHE neutrinos or photons, are also briefly discussed. If confirmed, such a scenario would dramatically change the present understanding of the UHECR primary composition and, thus, the characteristics of their sources.