An algorithm to resolve γ-rays from charged cosmic rays with DAMPE

The DArk Matter Particle Explorer(DAMPE),also known as Wukong in China,which was launched on 2015 December 17,is a new high energy cosmic ray and γ-ray satellite-borne observatory.One of the main scientific goals of DAMPE is to observe Ge V-Te V high energy γ-rays with accurate energy,angular and time resolution,to indirectly search for dark matter particles and for the study of high energy astrophysics. Due to the comparatively higher fluxes of charged cosmic rays with respect to γ-rays,it is challenging to identify γ-rays with sufficiently high efficiency,minimizing the amount of charged cosmic ray contamination. In this work we present a method to identify γ-rays in DAMPE data based on Monte Carlo simulations,using the powerful electromagnetic/hadronic shower discrimination provided by the calorimeter and the veto detection of charged particles provided by the plastic scintillation detector. Monte Carlo simulations show that after this selection the number of electrons and protons that contaminate the selected γ-ray events at～10 Ge V amounts to less than 1% of the selected sample.Finally,we use flight data to verify the effectiveness of the method by highlighting known γ-ray sources in the sky and by reconstructing preliminary light curves of the Geminga pulsar.     

An overview of the Gulf of Batabanó (Cuba): Environmental features as revealed by surface sediment characterisation

The main environmental features of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba, Caribbean, were investigated through the analyses of surface sediments collected at 23 sites. In order to highlight the potential threats affecting the sedimentary compartment of this area, samples were analysed for: granulometry, mineralogy, heavy metals concentration (As, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn), organic carbon, total nitrogen and radionuclides. Findings were compared with published data and “grey” literature.Results showed: granulometric homogeneity and a widespread carbonatic condition all over the gulf, probably due to stable bathymetry and lack of terrigenous input (except for the La Coloma basin); a rather pristine environment for what concerns heavy metals pollution, except for La Coloma where a large arsenic input was recorded; very low levels of natural and artificial radioactivity; a relevant quantity of sedimentary organic matter, providing biota with useful substrate for feeding and enhancing the food-web development while indirectly supplying lobster fisheries. Combined data highlighted the impact of the Dique Sur in reducing terrigenous input in the coastal area.Future studies should focus on dating of sediment cores for identifying and quantifying the changes acting in the gulf and on investigating the origins of the large arsenic input to La Coloma.     

Morphologic variability of exposed mass-transport deposits on the eastern slope of Gela Basin (Sicily channel)

The NE portion of Gela Basin in the Sicily Channel is affected by multiple slope failures originated during the late‐Quaternary. Basin sequences show evidence of stacked acoustically transparent and/or chaotic units, characterized by irregular upper surfaces, interpreted as mass‐transport deposits. The seafloor morphology also shows evidence of both old, partially buried, as well as recent slide products. Two recent slides exposed at seafloor, only 6 km apart (Twin Slides), are similar in geomorphological parameters, age and multistage evolution. Multistage failure of Twin Slides evolved from mud flows, derived from the extensive failure of less consolidated post‐glacial units, to localized slides (second stage of failure) affecting older and more consolidated materials. Although Twin Slides are very close to each other and have similar runout and fall height, they produced very dissimilar organization of the displaced masses, likely reflecting the distinct source units affected by failures. Integrating geophysical, sedimentological, structural and palaeontological data, a detailed investigation was conducted to determine the size and internal geometry of this mass‐transport complex, to explain the differentiated product and to shed light on its predisposing factors, triggers and timing.     

Converted-wave imaging in anisotropic media: theory and case studies

Common‐conversion‐point binning associated with converted‐wave (C‐wave) processing complicates the task of parameter estimation, especially in anisotropic media. To overcome this problem, we derive new expressions for converted‐wave prestack time migration (PSTM) in anisotropic media and illustrate their applications using both 2D and 3D data examples. The converted‐wave kinematic response in inhomogeneous media with vertical transverse isotropy is separated into two parts: the response in horizontally layered vertical transverse isotrophy media and the response from a point‐scatterer. The former controls the stacking process and the latter controls the process of PSTM. The C‐wave traveltime in horizontally layered vertical transverse isotrophy media is determined by four parameters: the C‐wave stacking velocity V_C2, the vertical and effective velocity ratios γ₀ and γ_eff, and the C‐wave anisotropic parameter χ_eff. These four parameters are referred to as the C‐wave stacking velocity model. In contrast, the C‐wave diffraction time from a point‐scatterer is determined by five parameters: γ₀, V_P2, V_S2, η_eff and ζ_eff, where η_eff and ζ_eff are, respectively, the P‐ and S‐wave anisotropic parameters, and V_P2 and V_S2 are the corresponding stacking velocities. V_P2, V_S2, η_eff and ζ_eff are referred to as the C‐wave PSTM velocity model. There is a one‐to‐one analytical link between the stacking velocity model and the PSTM velocity model. There is also a simple analytical link between the C‐wave stacking velocities V_C2 and the migration velocity V_Cmig, which is in turn linked to V_P2 and V_S2. Based on the above, we have developed an interactive processing scheme to build the stacking and PSTM velocity models and to perform 2D and 3D C‐wave anisotropic PSTM. Real data applications show that the PSTM scheme substantially improves the quality of C‐wave imaging compared with the dip‐moveout scheme, and these improvements have been confirmed by drilling.     

Realistic Modeling of Seismic Input in Urban Areas: A UNESCO-IUGS-IGCP Project

—?The estimation of realistic seismic input can be obtained from the computation of a wide set of time histories and spectral information, corresponding to possible seismotectonic scenarios for different source and structural models. Such a data set can be very constructively used by civil engineers in the design of new seismo-resistant structures and in the reinforcement of the existing built environment, therefore supplying a particularly powerful tool to the prevention efforts of Civil Defense. The availability of realistic numerical simulations enables us to estimate the amplification effects in complex geological structures exploiting the available geotechnical, lithological, geophysical parameters, topography of the medium, tectonic, historical, paleoseismological data, and seismotectonic models. The realistic modeling of the ground motion is a very important source of knowledge for the preparation of groundshaking scenarios which represent a valid and economical tool in seismic microzonation.     

An EPR and SQUID magnetometry study of bornite

A magnetic and spectroscopic characterisation has been performed on a natural bornite sample from the Natural History Museum of the University of Florence. The combination of magnetic measurements and continuous-wave electron paramagnetic resonance (cw-EPR) spectroscopy at different temperatures and frequencies provided information about the distribution and valence states of Cu and Fe in bornite. The studied sample was found to obey the Curie–Weiss law with a transition from a paramagnetic to an antiferromagnetic phase at 64 K; its possible attribution to a disordered spin glass phase was ruled out by ac susceptibility measurements. Q- and X-band cw-EPR measurements confirmed the presence of Fe(III) as fundamental valence state in bornite: the single EPR line registered in the temperature range from 300 to 65 K can be assigned, in fact, to the Fe(III) single ions. Some Cu(II) signals were revealed in the low temperature EPR spectra and attributed to an early stage of the surface alteration. The width of the Fe(III) EPR spectrum, which hinders any characteristic spectral structure, can be ascribed to the exchange interaction. The pure antiferromagnetic character of the magnetic transition confirms the ordering between Fe and Cu in the bornite structure, at least at low temperature (≤70 K). Moreover, the relatively high Nèel temperature suggests the accepted model of Collins et al.’s (Can J Phys 59:535–539, 1981) to conveniently explain the overall magnetic properties in the range 298–4 K. Despite the increasing of the susceptibility in the paramagnetic range, in fact, the integrated EPR line area decreases by lowering the temperature, thus suggesting a progressive rising of the antiferromagnetic interactions among next-nearest-neighbouring paramagnetic centres.     

POLARIX: a pathfinder mission of X-ray polarimetry

Since the birth of X-ray astronomy, spectral, spatial and timing observation improved dramatically, procuring a wealth of information on the majority of the classes of the celestial sources. Polarimetry, instead, remained basically unprobed. X-ray polarimetry promises to provide additional information procuring two new observable quantities, the degree and the angle of polarization. Polarization from celestial X-ray sources may derive from emission mechanisms themselves such as cyclotron, synchrotron and non-thermal bremsstrahlung, from scattering in aspheric accreting plasmas, such as disks, blobs and columns and from the presence of extreme magnetic field by means of vacuum polarization and birefringence. Matter in strong gravity fields and Quantum Gravity effects can be studied by X-ray polarimetry, too. POLARIX is a mission dedicated to X-ray polarimetry. It exploits the polarimetric response of a Gas Pixel Detector, combined with position sensitivity, that, at the focus of a telescope, results in a huge increase of sensitivity. The heart of the detector is an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip with 105,600 pixels each one containing a full complete electronic chain to image the track produced by the photoelectron. Three Gas Pixel Detectors are coupled with three X-ray optics which are the heritage of JET-X mission. A filter wheel hosting calibration sources unpolarized and polarized is dedicated to each detector for periodic on-ground and in-flight calibration. POLARIX will measure time resolved X-ray polarization with an angular resolution of about 20 arcsec in a field of view of 15 × 15 arcmin and with an energy resolution of 20% at 6 keV. The Minimum Detectable Polarization is 12% for a source having a flux of 1 mCrab and 10⁵ s of observing time. The satellite will be placed in an equatorial orbit of 505 km of altitude by a Vega launcher. The telemetry down-link station will be Malindi. The pointing of POLARIX satellite will be gyroless and it will perform a double pointing during the earth occultation of one source, so maximizing the scientific return. POLARIX data are for 75% open to the community while 25% + SVP (Science Verification Phase, 1 month of operation) is dedicated to a core program activity open to the contribution of associated scientists. The planned duration of the mission is one year plus three months of commissioning and SVP, suitable to perform most of the basic science within the reach of this instrument. A nice to have idea is to use the same existing mandrels to build two additional telescopes of iridium with carbon coating plus two more detectors. The effective area in this case would be almost doubled.