On multifractality and synchronization of nonlinear stellar pulsators

Simple models of nonlinear stellar pulsation, whose temporal behavior may reproduce some of the observed features of different classes of variable stars, have been studied. The temporal behavior of dynamical variables of these models exhibits a cascade of period doubling chaos, depending on the specific values of the various control parameters. A multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) method is further used to identify the scaling behavior of such synthetic time series. The MFDFA of the considered time series, for various models of nonlinear stellar pulsation, shows that the observed multifractal nature is due to long-range correlations. The pulsating star with increased nonadiabaticity and the star with increased convective luminosity, as represented by the simulated data, is shown to possess a strange attractor with noninteger correlation dimension that lies between 2–3. Also the problem of synchronization in coupled nonlinear pulsation models has been investigated using permutation entropy—a complexity measure of the system. The computed order parameter, Γ, representing the correlation of computed permutation entropy for different segments of the simulated time series of displacement of two nonidentical oscillators, has been further used to find the critical coupling parameter for general synchronization of the oscillators.     

Cherenkov τ shower earth-skimming method for PeV–EeV ντ observation with Ashra

We describe a method of observation for PeV–EeV τ neutrinos using Cherenkov light from the air showers of decayed τs produced by τ neutrino interactions in the Earth. Aiming for the realization of neutrino astronomy utilizing the Earth-skimming τ neutrino detection technique, highly precise determination of arrival direction is key due to the following issues: (1) clear identification of neutrinos by identifying those vertices originating within the Earth’s surface and (2) identification of very high energy neutrino sources. The Ashra detector uses newly developed light collectors which realize both a 42°-diameter field-of-view and arcminute resolution. Therefore, it has superior angular resolution for imaging Cherenkov air showers. In this paper, we estimate the sensitivity of and cosmic-ray background resulting from application of the Ashra-1 Cherenkov τ shower observation method. Both data from a commissioning run and a long-term observation (with fully equipped trigger system and one light collector) are presented. Our estimates are based on a detailed Monte Carlo simulation which describes all relevant shower processes from neutrino interaction to Cherenkov photon detection produced by τ air showers. In addition, the potential to determine the arrival direction of Cherenkov showers is evaluated by using the maximum likelihood method. We conclude that the Ashra-1 detector is a unique probe into detection of very high energy neutrinos and their accelerators.     

Impact of aerosols and adverse atmospheric conditions on the data quality for spectral analysis of the H.E.S.S. telescopes

The Earth’s atmosphere is an integral part of the detector in ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope (IACT) experiments and has to be taken into account in the calibration. Atmospheric and hardware-related deviations from simulated conditions can result in the mis-reconstruction of primary particle energies and therefore of source spectra. During the eight years of observations with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) in Namibia, the overall yield in Cherenkov photons has varied strongly with time due to gradual hardware aging, together with adjustments of the hardware components, and natural, as well as anthropogenic, variations of the atmospheric transparency. Here we present robust data selection criteria that minimize these effects over the full data set of the H.E.S.S. experiment and introduce the Cherenkov transparency coefficient as a new atmospheric monitoring quantity. The influence of atmospheric transparency, as quantified by this coefficient, on energy reconstruction and spectral parameters is examined and its correlation with the aerosol optical depth (AOD) of independent MISR satellite measurements and local measurements of atmospheric clarity is investigated.     

An high resolution FDIRC for the measurement of cosmic-ray isotopic abundances

Measurements of the relative abundance of cosmic isotopes and of the energy dependence of their fluxes may clarify our present understanding on the confinement time of charged cosmic rays in the Galaxy. Experimental studies of these propagation clocks have been carried out by balloon and space missions at energies of a few 100 MeV/amu by means of detection techniques based on multiple dE/dx sampling, coupled with a measurement of the energy released in a thick absorber. At larger energies, the isotopic separation of light nuclei (as, for instance,⁹Be/¹⁰Be) can be achieved by combining a precise measurement of the particle’s rigidity with an high resolution determination of its velocity, via the observation of the Cherenkov effect in a radiator.In this paper, we propose the introduction - for the first time in a space experiment - of the DIRC technique (Detection of Internal Reflected Cherenkov light) for the identification of cosmic-ray isotopes. This type of detector has been successfully used in electron-positron colliders for particle identification and in particular for π-K separation. While for particles with unit charge the light yield is a limiting factor, in the case of a nucleus of charge Z the larger photostatistics (due to the Z² dependence of Cherenkov light emission) is the key to reach an adequate angular resolution to provide a mass discrimination for isotopes of astrophysical interest. We report on the early development phase of a DIRC prototype with a focussing scheme (FDIRC) to collect the Cherenkov light onto a detector plane instrumented with a Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) array.     

Perspective of monochromatic gamma-ray line detection with the High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection (HERD) facility onboard China’s space station

HERD is the High Energy cosmic-Radiation Detection instrument proposed to operate onboard China’s space station in the 2020s. It is designed to detect energetic cosmic ray nuclei, leptons and photons with a high energy resolution ( ∼1% for electrons and photons and 20% for nuclei) and a large geometry factor (>3 m² sr for electrons and diffuse photons and > [2]m² sr for nuclei). In this work we discuss the capability of HERD to detect monochromatic γ-ray lines, based on simulations of the detector performance. It is shown that HERD will be one of the most sensitive instruments for monochromatic γ-ray searches at energies between ∼ 10 to a few hundred GeV. Above hundreds of GeV, Cherenkov telescopes will be more sensitive due to their large effective area. As a specific example, we show that a good portion of the parameter space of a supersymmetric dark matter model can be probed with HERD.     

Gamma–hadron separation methods for the VERITAS array of four imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes

Ground-based arrays of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes have emerged as the most sensitive γ-ray detectors in the energy range of about 100 GeV and above. The strengths of these arrays are a very large effective collection area on the order of 10⁵ m², combined with excellent single photon angular and energy resolutions. The sensitivity of such detectors is limited by statistical fluctuations in the number of Cosmic-ray initiated air showers that resemble γ-ray air showers in many ways. In this paper, we study the performance of simple event reconstruction methods when applied to simulated data of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) experiment. We review methods for reconstructing the arrival direction and the energy of the primary photons, and examine means to improve on their performance. For a software threshold energy of 300 GeV (100 GeV), the methods achieve point source angular and energy resolutions of σ_63% = 0.1° (0.2°) and σ_68% = 15% (22%), respectively. The main emphasis of the paper is the discussion of γ–hadron separation methods for the VERITAS experiment. We find that the information from several methods can be combined based on a likelihood ratio approach and the resulting algorithm achieves a γ–hadron suppression with a quality factor that is substantially higher than that achieved with the standard methods used so far.     

Calculation of the Cherenkov light yield from electromagnetic cascades in ice with Geant4

In this work we investigate and parameterize the amount and angular distribution of Cherenkov photons which are generated by electro-magnetic cascades in water or ice. We simulate electromagnetic cascades with Geant4 for primary electrons, positrons and photons with energies ranging from 1 GeV to 10 TeV. We parameterize the total Cherenkov-light yield as a function of energy, the longitudinal evolution of the Cherenkov emission along the cascade-axis and the angular distribution of photons. Furthermore, we investigate the fluctuations of the total light yield, the fluctuations in azimuth and changes of the emission with increasing age of the cascade.     

Gamma–hadron separation methods for the VERITAS array of four imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes

Ground-based arrays of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes have emerged as the most sensitive γ-ray detectors in the energy range of about 100 GeV and above. The strengths of these arrays are a very large effective collection area on the order of 10⁵ m², combined with excellent single photon angular and energy resolutions. The sensitivity of such detectors is limited by statistical fluctuations in the number of Cosmic-ray initiated air showers that resemble γ-ray air showers in many ways. In this paper, we study the performance of simple event reconstruction methods when applied to simulated data of the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) experiment. We review methods for reconstructing the arrival direction and the energy of the primary photons, and examine means to improve on their performance. For a software threshold energy of 300 GeV (100 GeV), the methods achieve point source angular and energy resolutions of σ_63% = 0.1° (0.2°) and σ_68% = 15% (22%), respectively. The main emphasis of the paper is the discussion of γ–hadron separation methods for the VERITAS experiment. We find that the information from several methods can be combined based on a likelihood ratio approach and the resulting algorithm achieves a γ–hadron suppression with a quality factor that is substantially higher than that achieved with the standard methods used so far.     

On the radiative and thermodynamic properties of the cosmic radiations using COBE FIRAS instrument data: I. Cosmic microwave background radiation

Using the explicit form of the functions to describe the monopole and dipole spectra of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, the exact expressions for the temperature dependences of the radiative and thermodynamic functions, such as the total radiation power per unit area, total energy density, number density of photons, Helmholtz free energy density, entropy density, heat capacity at constant volume, and pressure in the finite range of frequencies v ₁≤v≤v ₂ are obtained. Since the dependence of temperature upon the redshift z is known, the obtained expressions can be simply presented in z representation. Utilizing experimental data for the monopole and dipole spectra measured by the COBE FIRAS instrument in the 60–600 GHz frequency interval at the temperature T=2.72548 K, the values of the radiative and thermodynamic functions, as well as the radiation density constant a and the Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ are calculated. In the case of the dipole spectrum, the constants a and σ, and the radiative and thermodynamic properties of the CMB radiation are obtained using the mean amplitude T _amp=3.358 mK. It is shown that the Doppler shift leads to a renormalization of the radiation density constant a, the Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ, and the corresponding constants for the thermodynamic functions. The expressions for new astrophysical parameters, such as the entropy density/Boltzmann constant, and number density of CMB photons are obtained. The radiative and thermodynamic properties of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation for the monopole and dipole spectra at redshift z≈1089 are calculated.     

The “Quantochron 4-48” facility for registration of random fluxes of multidimensional signals

A facility for the registration of light fluxes meant for the study of their properties with high temporal resolution is described. The “Quantochron 4-48” acquisition facility measures the photon arrival times using periodic signals of three types-second-long period signals (pps), 10-kHz, and 30-MHz signals. The first two come from a GPS, whereas the latter signal comes from the PCI bus of the computer connected to the facility. These time scales are used to produce for each time instant a 28-bit time code supplemented by 48 bits bearing the information about the coordinates, energy, and polarization of the photon at the output of the detector. The sequence of complete 64-bit words is buffered in FIFO memory and sent to computer RAM. The device has as its base element a XILINX SPARTAN XCS40XL PQ240AKP0505 microchip incorporated into a PCI slot. The registration facility consists of two PC servers equipped with these boards and a control computer. The facility determines the photon arrival times to within 30 ns with a dead time of 30 ns and maximum lossless count rate of 10⁶ photons/s. The registration facility allows continuous recording of detector counts over 17 hours with a one microsecond World-Time (UT) calibration accuracy.     

Influence of cosmological expansion on the threshold effects in the annihilation reaction of hard photons with CMB photons

The redshift (z) dependence of the dispersion relations for free particles is analyzed by taking into account the Lorentz invariance violation. A nonlinear algebraic equation is derived for the momenta of the particles involved in the annihilation reaction of a hard photon from a γ-ray source with a soft cosmic microwave background (CMB) photon near the threshold of this reaction. The solutions of this threshold equation are constructed and analyzed as a function of the redshift. We show that the threshold of the reaction under consideration tends to decrease with increasing z; the energy spectra of γ-ray sources at energies of ～10 TeV must be cut off in accordance with the calculated z dependence. We also calculate the time delay of the light signals from γ-ray sources that corresponds to the Lorentz invariance violation for photons. We discuss the possibility of improving the standard constraints on the Lorentz invariance violation parameters for fields of various physical natures.     

Optical intensity interferometry with the Cherenkov Telescope Array

With its unprecedented light-collecting area for night-sky observations, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) holds great potential for also optical stellar astronomy, in particular as a multi-element intensity interferometer for realizing imaging with sub-milliarcsecond angular resolution. Such an order-of-magnitude increase of the spatial resolution achieved in optical astronomy will reveal the surfaces of rotationally flattened stars with structures in their circumstellar disks and winds, or the gas flows between close binaries. Image reconstruction is feasible from the second-order coherence of light, measured as the temporal correlations of arrival times between photons recorded in different telescopes. This technique (once pioneered by Hanbury Brown and Twiss) connects telescopes only with electronic signals and is practically insensitive to atmospheric turbulence and to imperfections in telescope optics. Detector and telescope requirements are very similar to those for imaging air Cherenkov observatories, the main difference being the signal processing (calculating cross correlations between single camera pixels in pairs of telescopes). Observations of brighter stars are not limited by sky brightness, permitting efficient CTA use during also bright-Moon periods. While other concepts have been proposed to realize kilometer-scale optical interferometers of conventional amplitude (phase-) type, both in space and on the ground, their complexity places them much further into the future than CTA, which thus could become the first kilometer-scale optical imager in astronomy.     

Simulation studies of MACE-I: Trigger rates and energy thresholds

The MACE (Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment) is an upcoming Very High Energy (VHE) γ-ray telescope, based on imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique, being installed at Hanle, a high altitude astronomical site in Ladakh, India. Here we present Monte Carlo simulation studies of trigger rates and threshold energies of MACE in the zenith angle range of 0°–60° for on-axis γ-ray coming from point source and various cosmic ray species. We have simulated the telescope’s response to γ-rays, proton, electron and alpha initiated atmospheric Extensive Air Showers (EAS) in the broad energy range of 5 GeV to 20 TeV. For γ-rays we consider power law and log parabolic spectra while other particles are simulated with their respective cosmic ray spectrum. Trigger rates and threshold energies are estimated for the trigger configuration of 4 Close Cluster Nearest Neighbour(CCNN) pixels as implemented in MACE hardware, in combination with single channel discriminator threshold ranging from 6–10 photo electrons (pe). We find that MACE can achieve the γ-ray trigger energy threshold of ∼ 17 GeV (4 CCNN, 9 pe) at 0° zenith angle for power law spectrum. The total trigger rate at 0° zenith is expected to be ∼650 Hz, with protons contributing ∼ 80% to it. For the zenith range of 0°-40° we find that the telescope can achieve γ-ray trigger threshold energies of ∼22 GeV at 20° zenith angle and ∼40 GeV at 40° zenith angle. Integral rates are also almost constant for this zenith angle range. At zenith angle of 60°, trigger energy threshold increases to ∼173 GeV and total integral rate falls down to ∼305 Hz.     

High energy γ-ray emission from compact galactic sources in the context of observations with the next generation Cherenkov Telescope Arrays

The observational progress in the γ-ray astronomy in the last few years has led to the discovery of more than a thousand sources at GeV energies and more than a hundred sources at TeV energies. A few different classes of compact objects in the Galaxy have been established. They show many unexpected features at high energies the physics of which remains mainly unknown. At present it is clear that detailed investigation of these new phenomena can be performed only with the technical equipment which offer an order of magnitude better sensitivity, and a few times better energy, angular and time resolution in the broad energy range staring from a few tens of GeV up to a few hundreds TeV. Such facilities can be realized by the next generation of instruments such as the planned Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA).The aim of this report is to summarize up to date observational results on the compact galactic sources in the GeV–TeV γ-ray energy range, discuss their theoretical implications, and indicate which hypothesis considered at present might be verified with the next generation of telescopes. We point out which of the observational features of the γ-ray sources are important to investigate with special care with the planned CTA in order to throw new light on physical processes involved. Their knowledge should finally allow us to answer the question on the origin of energetic particles in our Galaxy.     

Interpretation of the time structure of the EAS disc measured by the GREX/COVER_PLASTEX experiment

Simulation results for the time structure of the extensive air shower disc are presented and compared with data from the GREX/COVER_PLASTEX experiment. The distribution of the arrival times at various distances from the shower core and the contributions from the secondary particles to the shape of the distribution are described. The main parameters of the distribution, the mean time of arrival τ and the standard deviation σ, reflect the shower disc profile and thickness. The dependence of the shower profile and thickness on the energy and mass of the primary particle initiating the shower as well as on its inclination angle is discussed. The influence of the experimental conditions on the disc profile and thickness measured by the GREX/COVER_PLASTEX experiment is analysed and a parametrization of the average profile and thickness is given.     

Observational constraints on the nature of very short gamma-ray bursts

We discuss a very peculiar subgroup of gamma-ray bursts among the BATSE sources. These bursts are very short (T₉₀ ? 0.1 s), hard, and came predominantly from a restricted direction of the sky (close to the Galactic anti-center). We analyze their arrival times and possible correlations, as well as the profiles of individual bursts. We find no peculiarities in the arrival times of Very Short Bursts (VSBs) despite their highly non-uniform spatial distribution. There is no dependence in the burst shapes on location. Bursts coming both from the burst-enhancement Galactic Anticenter region and from all other directions show considerable dispersion in their rise and fall times. Significant fraction of VSBs have multiple peaks despite their extremely short duration. Burst time properties are most likely to be consistent with two origin mechanisms: either with binary NS–NS mergers with low total masses passing through a phase of hypermassive neutron star, or with evaporation of the primordial black holes in the scenario of no photosphere formation.