Data-driven constraints on cosmic-ray diffusion: Probing self-generated turbulence in the Milky Way

We employ a data-driven approach to investigate the rigidity and spatial dependence of the diffusion of cosmic rays in the turbulent magnetic field of the Milky Way. Our analysis combines datasets from the experiments Voyager, AMS-02, CALET, and DAMPE for a range of cosmic ray nuclei from protons to oxygen. Our findings favor models with a smooth behavior in the diffusion coefficient, indicating a good qualitative agreement with the predictions of self-generated magnetic turbulence models. Instead, the current cosmic-ray data do not exhibit a clear preference for or against inhomogeneous diffusion, which is also a prediction of these models. Future progress might be possible by combining cosmic-ray data with gamma rays or radio observations, enabling a more comprehensive exploration.