The phase of inflationary expansion in the early Universe produces superheavy relics in a mass window between 1012 and 1014 GeV. Decay or annihilation of these superheavy relics an explain the observed ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays beyond the Greisen–Zatsepin–Kuzmin cutoff. We emphasize that the pattern of cosmic-ray arrival directions seen by the Pierre Auger observatory will decide between the different proposals for the origin of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays.PACS Nos.: 98.70.Sa, 98.70.–f, 95.35.+d, 14.80.–j
The influence of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays on star formation in the early Universe
