high energy astrophysics: on-going research activities · filippo frontera on behalf of the ferrara...
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Filippo FronteraFilippo Fronteraon behalf of on behalf of
the Ferrara High Energy Astrophysics Groupthe Ferrara High Energy Astrophysics Group
High energy astrophysics: on-going High energy astrophysics: on-going research activities research activities
Lavori in corso a Fisica, 5 Dic 2012Lavori in corso a Fisica, 5 Dic 2012
Group members
• Physics Department• FF, Lev Titarchuk, Cristiano Guidorzi, Ruben
Farinelli, Enrico Virgilli. PhD students: Vincenzo Liccardo, Disha Sawant, Vineeth Valsan, Caterina Lombardi
• INAF-IASF Bologna• Lorenzo Amati, Mauro Orlandini, Ezio Caroli,
Nicola Masetti, Luciano Nicastro, Loredana Bassani, Claudio Labanti.
• Experimental activity: Experimental activity: • LAUE projectLAUE project• Feasibility studies of missions (GAME, Broad-Feasibility studies of missions (GAME, Broad-
Band)Band)• Involvement in future missions: HXMT (Chinese Involvement in future missions: HXMT (Chinese
misssion)misssion)
• Observational activity (even in large Observational activity (even in large international collaborations) :international collaborations) :• Study of compact objects Study of compact objects • Study of Gamma-Ray Bursts Study of Gamma-Ray Bursts
• Theoretical activity on GRBs and Compact Theoretical activity on GRBs and Compact objectsobjects
OverviewOverview
FFocusing of soft gamma-rays (>70/100 keV) for ocusing of soft gamma-rays (>70/100 keV) for astrophysicsastrophysics
GOALGOAL::
• To develop a technology for To develop a technology for building a lens made of crystalsbuilding a lens made of crystals
Why to focus gamma-rays from celestial sources? 1/2
Cyg X-1 soft state
Her X-1 low ON
400 keV
Blazar
Seyfert 2 vs. QSO
• Diffuse annihilation line emission discovered with INTEGRAL (integrated flux: 1.7x10-3 ph/cm2 s).
• Origin still unknown. • Several models proposed:
• Dark matter;• Antimatter• Source of radioactive elements
like 26Al, 56Co, 44Ti• Gamma Source (e.g., Pulsar)• BH Binaries
• More sensitivity and imaging capability needed.
Why to focus soft gamma-rays from celestial sources 2/2
Weidenspointner+2008
Technology for building Laue lenses with short focal length (>10 m): already
developed
Virgilli et al. 2011Frontera et al. 2008
Laue Project
• Laue Consortium: – UNIFE (two groups), – INAF/IASF-Bologna, – CNR/IMEM-Parma; – DTM-Modena, – TAS I-Milan and Turin.
• Main goals:– To develop a technology to
build a lens with long focal length (>10 m)
– To make use of curved crystals for a better focusing and sensitivity.
Experimental thesis opportunities
• 1 experimental thesis devoted to the lens building phase (crystal qualification measurements, crystal positioning measurements);
• 1 experimental thesis devoted to the lens testing phase.
• 1 thesis devoted to s/w development (in LabView) for managing the building phase
Compact sources: theory and observationsCompact sources: theory and observations
Goals:Goals: Radiative processes in accretion disks around Neutron Stars Radiative processes in accretion disks around Neutron Stars
and Black Holesand Black Holes Distinguishing BH from NSDistinguishing BH from NS Measuring the mass of BHs in binary systems and that of Measuring the mass of BHs in binary systems and that of
massive BHs in AGNsmassive BHs in AGNs
Gamma Ray Bursts: theory and observationsGamma Ray Bursts: theory and observations
The Brightest and furthest events in the Universe ever discovered!The Brightest and furthest events in the Universe ever discovered!
PRIN-MIUR project (national collaboration):PRIN-MIUR project (national collaboration): Spectral and temporal studiesSpectral and temporal studies Origin of spectral-energy correlationsOrigin of spectral-energy correlations Cosmology with GRBsCosmology with GRBs
Also international collaborations (e.g., Also international collaborations (e.g., Liverpool JM University, UK)Liverpool JM University, UK)