Experimental research on antiprotons and light antinuclei in cosmic rays

A.G. Mayorov, S.A. Rodenko^†, K.S. Chelidze, R.F. Yulbarisov
National Research Nuclear University ‘MEPhI’, Kashirskoe shosse 31, Moscow, 115409, Russian Federation

This review summarizes recent experimental studies of antiparticles in cosmic rays, including antiprotons, antideuterons, and antihelium nuclei. The discussion is centered on results from both direct and indirect measurements of the galactic component, while a separate section addresses secondary antiparticles (albedo), among them particles trapped in the Earth's magnetic field and part of the radiation belts. To provide historical context, the review also outlines the earliest accelerator-based experiments in which light antinuclei were first detected, thereby establishing the fundamental possibility of their existence in nature. A detailed overview is given of balloon-borne, satellite, and ground-based missions dedicated to measurements of the antiproton energy spectrum across a wide interval — from several hundred MeV to several hundred GeV — with indirect estimates extending to energies above 1 TeV. Particular attention is devoted to recent progress in searches for heavier antinuclei, such as antideuterons and antihelium nuclei, which hold significant promise for studies of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. Finally, prospects for future experiments are considered in light of current observational constraints and technological challenges.

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Correspondence should be addressed to
Keywords: antiprotons, antinuclei, sources of antinuclei, antiproton detection experiments, cosmic rays
PACS: 96.50.S−
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2025.12.040063
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2026/6/b/
Citation: Mayorov A G, Rodenko S A, Chelidze K S, Yulbarisov R F "Experimental research on antiprotons and light antinuclei in cosmic rays" Phys. Usp. 69 (6) (2026)

Received: 22nd, September 2025, revised: 25th, November 2025, accepted: 2nd, December 2025

Оригинал: Майоров А Г, Роденко С А, Челидзе К С, Юлбарисов Р Ф «Экспериментальные исследования антипротонов и лёгких антиядер в космических лучах» УФН 196 563–600 (2026); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2025.12.040063

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