Gamma-ray bounds from EAS detectors and heavy decaying dark matter constraints

Understand

The very high energy Galactic $\gamma$-ray sky is partially opaque in the ($0.1-10$) PeV energy range.

• In the light of the recently detected high energy neutrino flux by IceCube, a comparable very high energy $\gamma$-ray flux is expected in any scenario with a sizable Galactic contribution to the neutrino flux.
• Here we elaborate on the peculiar energy and anisotropy features imposed upon these very high energy $\gamma$-rays by the absorption on the cosmic microwave background photons and Galactic interstellar light.
• As a notable application of our considerations, we study the prospects of probing the PeV-scale decaying DM scenario, proposed as a possible source of IceCube neutrinos, by extensive air shower (EAS) cosmic ray experiments.