Science and technology of Borexino: a real-time detector for low energy solar neutrinos

Borexino, a real-time device for low energy neutrino spectroscopy is nearing completion of construction in the underground laboratories at Gran Sasso, Italy (LNGS). The experiment's goal is the direct measurement of the flux of ${}^7$Be solar neutrinos of all flavors via neutrino–electron scattering in an ultra-pure scintillation liquid. Seeded by a series of innovations which were brought to fruition by large-scale operation of a 4-ton test detector at LNGS, a new technology has been developed for Borexino. It enables sub-MeV solar neutrino spectroscopy for the first time. This paper describes the design of Borexino, the various facilities essential to its operation, its spectroscopic and background suppression capabilities and a prognosis of the impact of its results towards resolving the solar neutrino problem. Borexino will also address several other frontier questions in particle physics, astrophysics and geophysics.     

Supernova neutrino detection in Borexino

We calculated the expected neutrino signal in Borexino from a typical Type II supernova at a distance of 10 kpc. A burst of around 110 events would appear in Borexino within a time interval of about 10 s. Most of these events would come from the reaction channel , while about 30 events would be induced by the interaction of the supernova neutrino flux on ¹²C in the liquid scintillator. Borexino can clearly distinguish between the neutral-current excitations ¹²C(ν,ν^′)¹²C^* (15.11 MeV) and the charged-current reactions ¹²C(ν_e,e⁻)¹²N and , via their distinctive event signatures. The ratio of the charged-current to neutral-current neutrino event rates and their time profiles with respect to each other can provide a handle on supernova and non-standard neutrino physics (mass and flavor oscillations).     

Neutrino spin-flavor oscillations in solar environment

We study the phenomenon of neutrino spin-flavor oscillations due to solar magnetic fields. This allows us to examine how significantly the electron neutrinos produced in the solar interior undergo a resonant spin-flavor conversion. We construct analytical models for the solar magnetic field in all the three regions of the Sun. Neutrino spin-flavor oscillations in this magnetic field are examined by studying the level crossing phenomenon and comparing the two cases of zero and non-zero vacuum mixing respectively.Results from the Borexino experiment are used to place an upper limit on the magnetic field in the solar core. Related phenomena such as effects of matter on neutrino spin transitions and differences between Dirac and Majorana transitions in the solar magnetic fields are also discussed.     

A global analysis searching for neutrinos associated with black hole merger gravitational wave events

Several neutrino observatories have searched for coincident neutrino signals associated with gravitational waves induced by the merging of two black holes. No statistically significant neutrino signal in excess of the background level was observed. These experiments use different neutrino detection technologies and are sensitive to various neutrino types. A combined analysis was performed on the KamLAND, Super-Kamiokande and Borexino experimental data with a frequentist statistical approach to achieve a global picture of the associated neutrino fluence. Both monochromatic and Fermi-Dirac neutrino spectra were assumed in the calculation. The final results are consistent with null neutrino signals associated with the process of a binary black hole merger. The derived 90% confidence level upper limits on the fluence and luminosity of various neutrino types are presented for neutrino energy less than110 MeV.     

Characterization of lunar dust and a synopsis of available lunar simulants

Understanding the formation and evolution of the soil and dust of the Moon addresses the fundamental question of the interactions of space with the surface of an airless body. The physical and chemical properties of the lunar dust, the <20 μm portion of lunar soil, are key properties necessary for studies of the toxicity and the electrostatic charging of the dust. These properties have been largely overlooked until recent years. Although chemical and physical studies of the <20 μm portion of lunar soil have been the topic of several studies, there is still need for further studies, primarily of the <1 μm particles. This paper presents a review of the studies of lunar dust that have been conducted to date. As many preparations for future exploration or science activities on the Moon require testing using lunar soil/dust simulants, we also include a brief review of past and current simulants.     

On one group of experimental results related to the search for neutrino radiation from SN 1987A: Commentary

We would like to attract the attention of readers to the group of studies in which correlations were found between the pulses in various detectors on February 23, 1987. By a confluence of circumstances, these studies fell into the category of marginal ones. Here, we provide arguments for the genetic relationship of the effects detected in these studies to stellar collapse. We have made judgements about a possible interpretation of the results of these studies, in particular, about the existence of a weak neutrino pulsar that operated for 2 h near 2:52 UT.     

Near-infrared (0.67-4.7 μm) optical constants estimated for montmorillonite

Optical constants are estimated from near-infrared reflectance spectra of the smectite clay montmorillonite using an iterative combination of particulate scattering theory and Kramers-Kronig analysis. The final results provide wavelength dependent imaginary indices of refraction similar to previous studies, but in addition produce wavelength dependent real indices of refraction, unlike most previous studies. A comparison of the values derived here to those previously reported for montmorillonite shows that the maxima absorption coefficient values from the two studies are in excellent agreement, and in other wavelength regions the two studies agree to within about a factor of two. This suggests that the approach presented can provide a reliable mechanism of estimating the wavelength dependence of both the real and imaginary indices for materials at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The resulting near-infrared values are combined with mid-infrared values of the same sample to provide optical constants of montmorillonite over the 0.66-25 μm wavelength region.     

Solar system science with SKA

Radio wavelength observations of solar system bodies reveal unique information about them, as they probe to regions inaccessible by nearly all other remote sensing techniques and wavelengths. As such, the SKA will be an important telescope for planetary science studies. With its sensitivity, spatial resolution, and spectral flexibility and resolution, it will be used extensively in planetary studies. It will make significant advances possible in studies of the deep atmospheres, magnetospheres and rings of the giant planets, atmospheres, surfaces, and subsurfaces of the terrestrial planets, and properties of small bodies, including comets, asteroids, and KBOs. Further, it will allow unique studies of the Sun. Finally, it will allow for both indirect and direct observations of extrasolar giant planets.     

Supernovae and positron annihilation radiation

Radioactive nuclei, especially those created in SN explosion, have long been suggested to be important contributors of galactic positrons. In this paper we describe the findings of three independent OSSE/SMM/TGRS studies of positron annihilation radiation, demonstrating that the three studies are largely in agreement as to the distribution of galactic annihilation radiation. We then assess the predicted yields and distributions of SN-synthesized radionuclei, determining that they are marginally compatible with the findings of the annihilation radiation studies.     

Formation Flying for a Fresnel Lens Observatory Mission

The employment of a large area Phase Fresnel Lens (PFL) in a gamma-ray telescope offers the potential to image astrophysical phenomena with micro-arcsecond (μ^′′) angular resolution [1]. In order to assess the feasibility of this concept, two detailed studies have been conducted of formation flying missions in which a Fresnel lens capable of focussing gamma-rays and the associated detector are carried on two spacecraft separated by up to 10⁶ km. These studies were performed at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Integrated Mission Design Center (IMDC) which developed spacecraft, orbital dynamics, and mission profiles. The results of the studies indicated that the missions are challenging but could be accomplished with technologies available currently or in the near term. The findings of the original studies have been updated taking account of recent advances in ion thruster propulsion technology.     

Asteroseismology and interferometry

Asteroseismology provides us with a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of stellar structure and evolution. Recent developments, including the first systematic studies of solar-like pulsators, have boosted the impact of this field of research within astrophysics and have led to a significant increase in the size of the research community. In the present paper we start by reviewing the basic observational and theoretical properties of classical and solar-like pulsators and present results from some of the most recent and outstanding studies of these stars. We centre our review on those classes of pulsators for which interferometric studies are expected to provide a significant input. We discuss current limitations to asteroseismic studies, including difficulties in mode identification and in the accurate determination of global parameters of pulsating stars, and, after a brief review of those aspects of interferometry that are most relevant in this context, anticipate how interferometric observations may contribute to overcome these limitations. Moreover, we present results of recent pilot studies of pulsating stars involving both asteroseismic and interferometric constraints and look into the future, summarizing ongoing efforts concerning the development of future instruments and satellite missions which are expected to have an impact in this field of research.     

Long-term nonlinear behaviour of the magnetorotational instability in a localized model of an accretion disc

For more than a decade, the so-called shearing-box model has been used to study the fundamental local dynamics of accretion discs. This approach has proved to be very useful because it allows high-resolution and long-term studies to be carried out, studies that would not be possible for a global disc.
Localized disc studies have largely focused on examining the rate of enhanced transport of angular momentum, essentially a sum of the Reynolds and Maxwell stresses. The dominant radial–azimuthal component of this stress tensor is, in the classic Shakura–Sunyaev model, expressed as a constant α times the pressure. Previous studies have estimated α based on a modest number of orbital times. Here we use much longer baselines, and perform a cumulative average for α. Great care must be exercised when trying to extract numerical α values from simulations: dissipation scales, computational box aspect ratio, and even numerical algorithms can all affect the result. This study suggests that estimating α becomes more, not less, difficult as computational power increases.     

Organic models of interstellar grains

A number of experimental studies have been carried out to verify the claim that interstellar grains largely consist of organic material, including biological cells. Our spectroscopic studies on biological cells and organic extracts from carbonaceous compounds have failed to identify the well-known 2200 Å interstellar extinction peak with the organic material.     

What helicity can tell us about solar magnetic fields

Concept of magnetic/current helicity was introduced to solar physics about 15 years ago. Earlier studies led to discovery of such fundamental properties as hemispheric helicity rule, and role of helicity in magnetic reconnection and solar eruptions. Later, the concept was successfully applied in studies of different solar processes from solar dynamo to flare and CME phenomena. Although no silver bullet, helicity has proven to be a very useful “tool” in answering many still-puzzling questions about origin and evolution of solar magnetic fields. I present an overview of some helicity studies and briefly analyze their findings.     

Standard techniques for presentation and analysis of crater size-frequency data

In September 1977, a crater studies workshop was held for the purpose of developing standardized data analysis and presentation techniques. This report contains the unanimous recommendations of the participants. This first meeting considered primarily crater size-frequency data. Future meetings will treat other aspects of crater studies such as morphologies.     

Solar flares observed in microwaves: Recent results from solar radio groups in Japan

Recent observational studies on solar flares made by solar radio groups in Japan during the period around the maximum of Cycle 21 are briefly reviewed. Much attention is paid especially to comparison studies of microwave observations with hard X-ray and γ-ray observations.

     

On the Possibility of Directional Analysis for Geo-neutrinos

The possibility of terrestrial antineutrino directionality studies is considered for future unloaded liquid scintillator detectors. Monte-Carlo simulations suggest that the measurable displacement between prompt and delayed antineutrino signals makes such studies possible. However, it is estimated that on the order of 1000 terrestrial antineutrino events are required to test the simplest models, demanding detectors of 100 kt size to collect sufficient data in a reasonable period of time.     

Coma星系团的研究进展

Ｃｏｍａ闭是离我们最近的典型富星系闭之一。对此，人们积累了丰富的观测资料，并且进行了广泛深入的研究。在本文中着重介绍了有关Ｃｏｍａ闭的成员判定、结构、光度函数、动力学和次结构等方面的研究情况，并简单介绍了目前的最新研究动态。     

DI-aries panoramic energy-mass spectrometer of ions for the Phobos-Grunt project

One of the main goals of the Phobos-Grunt project is to analyze the surface composition of Phobos. Plasma methods of the studies make it possible to complete direct surface studies with measurements of the minor components of the solar wind, which are produced when a material sputtered from the surface of Phobos is ionized. The surface of Phobos is sputtered under the action of solar wind protons, energetic ions, hard solar radiation, and meteorites. In addition to the studies of Phobos, the experiment also includes the study of the interaction between the solar wind and Mars. An energy-mass spectrometer, which makes it possible to measure instantaneously complete unobscured distribution of the flux of different ions in the hemisphere, has been designed based on the new CAMERA analyzer of charged particles proposed previously (Vaisberg et al., 2001, 2005; Vaisberg, 2003). The instrument’s electro-optics model and the results of the numerical and laboratory tests are described in this paper. Such an instrument can be used in magnetospheric studies and to study different objects of the Solar System.     

Black Hole Hyperaccretion and Gamma-ray Burststwo

Black hole hyperaccretion model is one of the potential candidates for the central engine of gamma-ray bursts. Combined with the complicated explosion phenomena including gamma-ray bursts, gravitational waves, and their electromagnetic counterparts, the results of a series of theoretical studies on this model are briefly reviewed in this paper. At the same time, as the research tools for the subsequent studies on gamma-ray bursts, some important conclusions and formulas are presented.