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2006

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Articles 121 - 150 of 179

Full-Text Articles in Astrophysics and Astronomy

Compact Solid-State Laser Source For 1s-2s Spectroscopy In Atomic Hydrogen, Scott D. Bergeson, N. Kolachevsky, J. Alnis, T. W. Hansch Feb 2006

Compact Solid-State Laser Source For 1s-2s Spectroscopy In Atomic Hydrogen, Scott D. Bergeson, N. Kolachevsky, J. Alnis, T. W. Hansch

Faculty Publications

We demonstrate a compact solid-state laser source for high-resolution two-photon spectroscopy of the 1S-2S transition in atomic hydrogen. The source emits up to 20 mW at 243 nm and consists of a 972 nm diode laser, a tapered amplifier, and two doubling stages. The diode laser is actively stabilized to a high-finesse cavity. We compare the new source to the stable 486 nm dye laser used in previous experiments and record 1S-2S spectra using both systems. With the solid-state laser system, we demonstrate a resolution of the hydrogen spectrometer of 6×10^11, which is promising for a number of high-precision measurements …

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The Polarization Signature From Microlensing Of Circumstellar Envelopes In Caustic Cossing Events, Richard Ignace, J. Bjorkman, H. Bryce Feb 2006

The Polarization Signature From Microlensing Of Circumstellar Envelopes In Caustic Cossing Events, Richard Ignace, J. Bjorkman, H. Bryce

ETSU Faculty Works

In recent years, it has been shown that microlensing is a powerful tool for examining the atmospheres of stars in the Galactic bulge and Magellanic Clouds. The high gradient of magnification across the source during both small impact parameter events and caustic crossings offers a unique opportunity for determining the surface brightness profile of the source. Furthermore, models indicate that these events can also provide an appreciable polarization signal: arising from differential magnification across the otherwise symmetric source. Earlier work has addressed the signal from a scattering photosphere for both point mass lenses and caustic crossings. In a previous paper, …

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Growth Of Carbon Grains In Supernova Ejecta, Ethan A-N. Deneault, Donald D. Clayton, Bradley S. Meyer Feb 2006

Growth Of Carbon Grains In Supernova Ejecta, Ethan A-N. Deneault, Donald D. Clayton, Bradley S. Meyer

Publications

We present a chemical reaction network that describes the condensation chemistry of carbon dust grains in an expanding supernova shell. We assume that the region of interest consists solely of gaseous free carbon and oxygen atoms and that the buildup of CO is counteracted by the radioactive decay of 56Co, which breaks up the CO mol-ecule and allows C to condense into solids. Our chemical model takes C to first form linear chains, which, at some critical length, transition into ringed isomers. These isomers are more resistant to oxidation than linear chains. These ringed isomers form the nuclei for the …

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The Noao Fundamental Plane Survey - Iii. Variations In The Stellar Populations Of Red-Sequence Galaxies From The Cluster Core To The Virial Radius, Russell J. S. Smith, Michael J. Hudson, John R. Lucey, Jenica E. Nelan, Gary A. Wegner Feb 2006

The Noao Fundamental Plane Survey - Iii. Variations In The Stellar Populations Of Red-Sequence Galaxies From The Cluster Core To The Virial Radius, Russell J. S. Smith, Michael J. Hudson, John R. Lucey, Jenica E. Nelan, Gary A. Wegner

Dartmouth Scholarship

We analyse absorption line-strength indices for ~3000 red-sequence galaxies in 94 nearby clusters, to investigate systematic variations of their stellar content with location in the host cluster. The data are drawn from the NOAO Fundamental Plane Survey. Our adopted method is a generalization of that introduced by Nelan et al. to determine the global age-mass and metallicity-mass relations from the same survey. We find strong evidence for a change in galaxy properties, at fixed mass, over a range from the cluster centre to the virial radius, R_200. For example, red-sequence galaxies further out in the clusters have weaker Mgb5177 (at …

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Finding The Radial Parallel Temperature Profile In A Non-Neutral Plasma Using Equilibrium Calculations On Experimental Data, Grant W. Hart, Bryan G. Peterson Feb 2006

Finding The Radial Parallel Temperature Profile In A Non-Neutral Plasma Using Equilibrium Calculations On Experimental Data, Grant W. Hart, Bryan G. Peterson

Faculty Publications

In 1992, Eggleston et al. [D. L. Eggleston et al., Phys. Fluids B 4, 3432 (1992)] reported on a technique for measuring the radial temperature profile in a pure-electron plasma confined in a Malmberg-Penning trap by partially dumping the plasma onto a charge collector at the end of the trap. For short plasmas and short confining rings, the assumptions in their paper are violated and a more general calculation is needed. This paper presents a variation of the standard equilibrium calculation to find the temperature profile of a pure-electron plasma. Eggleston's shortcut "evaporation" temperature method is found to require a …

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Relativistic Binaries In Globular Clusters, Matthew J. Benacquista Feb 2006

Relativistic Binaries In Globular Clusters, Matthew J. Benacquista

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The galactic population of globular- cluster's are old, dense star systems, with a typical cluster containing 104 -107 stars. As an old population of stars, globular clusters contain many collapsed and degenerate objects. As a dense population of stars, globular clusters are the scene of many interesting close dynamical interactions between stars. These dynamical interactions can alter the evolution of individual stars and can produce tight binary systems containing one or- two compact objects. In this review, we discuss the theoretical models of globular cluster evolution and binary evolution, techniques for simulating this evolution which lead to relativistic binaries, and …

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The N2k Consortium. Iii. Short-Period Planets Orbiting Hd 149143 And Hd 109749, Debra A. Fischer, Gregory Laughlin, Geoffrey W. Marcy, R. Paul Butler, Steve S. Vogt, John A. Johnson, Gregory W. Henry, Chris Mccarthy, Mark Ammons, Sarah Robinson, Jay Strader, Jeff A. Valenti, Peter R. Mccullough, David Charbonneau, Joshua Haislip, Heather Knutson, Daniel E. Reichart, Padric Mcgee, Berto Monard, Jason T. Wright, Shigeru Ida, Bun'ei Sato, Dante Minniti Feb 2006

The N2k Consortium. Iii. Short-Period Planets Orbiting Hd 149143 And Hd 109749, Debra A. Fischer, Gregory Laughlin, Geoffrey W. Marcy, R. Paul Butler, Steve S. Vogt, John A. Johnson, Gregory W. Henry, Chris Mccarthy, Mark Ammons, Sarah Robinson, Jay Strader, Jeff A. Valenti, Peter R. Mccullough, David Charbonneau, Joshua Haislip, Heather Knutson, Daniel E. Reichart, Padric Mcgee, Berto Monard, Jason T. Wright, Shigeru Ida, Bun'ei Sato, Dante Minniti

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report the detection of two short-period planets discovered at Keck Observatory. HD 149143 is a metal-rich G0 IV star with a planet of M sin i = 1.33MJ and an orbital radius of 0.053 AU. The best-fit Keplerian model has an orbital period, P = 4.072 days, semivelocity amplitude, K = 149.6 m s-1, and eccentricity, e = 0.016 ± 0.01. The host star is chromospherically inactive and metal-rich, with [Fe/H] = 0.26. Based on the Teff and stellar luminosity, we derive a stellar radius of 1.49 R☉. Photometric observations of HD 149143 were carried out using the automated …

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Photoionized HΒ Emission In Ngc 5548: It Breathes!, Edward M. Cackett, Keith Horne Feb 2006

Photoionized HΒ Emission In Ngc 5548: It Breathes!, Edward M. Cackett, Keith Horne

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications

Emission-line regions in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and other photoionized nebulae should become larger in size when the ionizing luminosity increases. This `breathing' effect is observed for the Hβ emission in NGC 5548 by using Hβ and optical continuum light curves from the 13-yr (1989-2001) AGN Watch monitoring campaign. To model the breathing, we use two methods to fit the observed light curves in detail: (i) parametrized models and, (ii) the MEMECHO reverberation-mapping code. Our models assume that optical continuum variations track the ionizing radiation, and that the Hβ variations respond with time-delays τ due to light travel-time. By fitting …

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The Clock Paradox In A Static Homogeneous Gravitational Field, Preston Jones, Lucas F. Wanex Feb 2006

The Clock Paradox In A Static Homogeneous Gravitational Field, Preston Jones, Lucas F. Wanex

Publications

The gedanken experiment of the clock paradox is solved exactly using the general relativistic equations for a static homogeneous gravitational field. We demonstrate that the general and special relativistic clock paradox solutions are identical and in particular that they are identical for finite acceleration. Practical expressions are obtained for proper time and coordinate time by using the destination distance as the key observable parameter. This solution provides a formal demonstration of the identity between the special and general relativistic clock paradox with finite acceleration and where proper time is assumed to be the same in both formalisms. By solving the …

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Evolution Of Stellar Bars In Live Axisymmetric Halos: Recurrent Buckling And Secular Growth, Inma Martinez-Valpuesta, Isaac Shlosman, Clayton Heller Jan 2006

Evolution Of Stellar Bars In Live Axisymmetric Halos: Recurrent Buckling And Secular Growth, Inma Martinez-Valpuesta, Isaac Shlosman, Clayton Heller

Physics & Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Evolution of stellar bars in disk galaxies is accompanied by dynamical instabilities and secular changes. Following the vertical buckling instability, the bars are known to weaken dramatically and develop a pronounced boxy/ peanut shape when observed edge-on. Using high-resolution N-body simulations of stellar disks embedded in live axisymmetric dark matter halos, we have investigated the long-term changes in the bar morphology, specifically the evolution of the bar size, its vertical structure, and the exchange of angular momentum. We find that following the initial buckling, the bar resumes its growth from deep inside the corotation radius and follows the ultraharmonic resonance …

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Sudden Gravitational Transition, Robert R. Caldwell, William Komp, Leonard Parker, Daniel A. T. Vanzella Jan 2006

Sudden Gravitational Transition, Robert R. Caldwell, William Komp, Leonard Parker, Daniel A. T. Vanzella

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the properties of a cosmological scenario which undergoes a gravitational phase transition at late times. In this scenario, the Universe evolves according to general relativity in the standard, hot big bang picture until a redshift z≲1. Nonperturbative phenomena associated with a minimally-coupled scalar field catalyzes a transition, whereby an order parameter consisting of curvature quantities such as R2, RabRab, RabcdRabcd acquires a constant expectation value. The ensuing cosmic acceleration appears driven by a dark-energy component with an equation-of-state w<−1. We evaluate the constraints from type 1a supernovae, the cosmic microwave background, and other cosmological observations. We find that a range of models making a sharp transition to cosmic acceleration are consistent with observations.

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Near‐Infrared And Optical Limits For The Central X‐Ray Point Source In The Cassiopeia A Supernova Remnant, R. A. Fesen, G. G. Pavlov, D. Sanwal Jan 2006

Near‐Infrared And Optical Limits For The Central X‐Ray Point Source In The Cassiopeia A Supernova Remnant, R. A. Fesen, G. G. Pavlov, D. Sanwal

Dartmouth Scholarship

We set new near-infrared and optical magnitude limits for the central X-ray point source (XPS) in the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant based on HST images. Near-infrared images of the center of Cas A taken with the NICMOS 2 camera in combination with the F110W and F160W filters (~J and H bands) have magnitude limits ≥26.2 and ≥24.6, respectively. These images reveal no sources within a 12 radius (corresponding to a 99% confidence limit) of the Chandra XPS position. The NICMOS data, taken together with broadband optical magnitude limits (R ~ 28 mag) obtained from a deep STIS CCD …

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A Cosmic Milestone: Constraints From Metal-Poor Halo Stars On The Cosmological Reionization Epoch, Aparna Venkatesan Jan 2006

A Cosmic Milestone: Constraints From Metal-Poor Halo Stars On The Cosmological Reionization Epoch, Aparna Venkatesan

Physics and Astronomy

Theoretical studies and current observations of the high-redshift intergalactic medium (IGM) indicate that at least two cosmic transitions occur by the time the universe reaches gas metallicities of about 10-3 Z☉. One is the cosmological reionization of the IGM, and the second is the transition from a primordial to present-day mode of star formation. We quantify this relation through new calculations of the ionizing radiation produced in association with the elements carbon, oxygen, and silicon observed in Galactic metal-poor halo stars, which are likely second-generation objects formed in the wake of primordial supernovae. We demonstrate that sufficient …

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The Nonlinear Amplification Of Magnetic Fields By Cosmic Rays At Supernova Remnant Shocks, Brian Reville, Peter Duffy, Stephen O'Sullivan Jan 2006

The Nonlinear Amplification Of Magnetic Fields By Cosmic Rays At Supernova Remnant Shocks, Brian Reville, Peter Duffy, Stephen O'Sullivan

Conference papers

A central problem in the theory of cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts is the generation of turbulent magnetic fields needed to scatter particles across a shock front. In this paper we build on previous studies [1], [2] into the effect of streaming cosmic rays produced by the outer shocks of supernova remnants on the stochastic component of the magnetic field. A three dimensional, MHD code has been constructed which demonstrates the nonlinear growth of the turbulent field.

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A Deep Kinematic Survey Of Planetary Nebulae In The Andromeda Galaxy Using The Planetary Nebula Spectrograph, H. R. Merrett, M. R. Merrifield, N. G. Douglas, K. Kuijken, Aaron J. Romanowsky, N. R. Napolitano, M. Arnaboldi, M. Capaccioli, K. C. Freeman, O. Gerhard, L. Coccato, D. Carter, N. W. Evans, M. I. Wilkinson, C. Halliday, T. J. Bridges Jan 2006

A Deep Kinematic Survey Of Planetary Nebulae In The Andromeda Galaxy Using The Planetary Nebula Spectrograph, H. R. Merrett, M. R. Merrifield, N. G. Douglas, K. Kuijken, Aaron J. Romanowsky, N. R. Napolitano, M. Arnaboldi, M. Capaccioli, K. C. Freeman, O. Gerhard, L. Coccato, D. Carter, N. W. Evans, M. I. Wilkinson, C. Halliday, T. J. Bridges

Faculty Publications

We present a catalogue of positions, magnitudes and velocities for 3300 emission-line objects found by the Planetary Nebula Spectrograph in a survey of the Andromeda galaxy, M31. Of these objects, 2615 are found likely to be planetary nebulae (PNe) associated with M31. The survey area covers the whole of M31's disc out to a radius of Graphic. Beyond this radius, observations have been made along the major and minor axes, and the Northern Spur and Southern Stream regions. The calibrated data have been checked for internal consistency and compared with other catalogues. With the exception of the very central, high …

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Planetary Nebula Velocities In The Disc And Bulge Of M31, C. Halliday, D. Carter, T. J. Bridges, Z. C. Jackson, M. I. Wilkinson, D. P. Quinn, N. W. Evans, N. G. Douglas, H. R. Merrett, Aaron J. Romanowsky, K. Kuijken, M. J. Irwin Jan 2006

Planetary Nebula Velocities In The Disc And Bulge Of M31, C. Halliday, D. Carter, T. J. Bridges, Z. C. Jackson, M. I. Wilkinson, D. P. Quinn, N. W. Evans, N. G. Douglas, H. R. Merrett, Aaron J. Romanowsky, K. Kuijken, M. J. Irwin

Faculty Publications

We present radial velocities for a sample of 723 planetary nebulae in the disc and bulge of M31, measured using the WYFFOS fibre spectrograph on the William Herschel Telescope. Velocities are determined using the [O III] λ5007 emission line. Rotation and velocity dispersion are measured to a radius of 50 arcmin (11.5 kpc), the first stellar rotation curve and velocity dispersion profile for M31 to such a radius. Our kinematics are consistent with rotational support at radii well beyond the bulge effective radius of 1.4 kpc, although our data beyond a radius of 5 kpc are limited. We present tentative …

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Wide-Field Kinematics Of Globular Clusters In The Leo I Group, G. Bergond, S. E. Zepf, Aaron J. Romanowsky, R. M. Sharples, K. L. Rhode Jan 2006

Wide-Field Kinematics Of Globular Clusters In The Leo I Group, G. Bergond, S. E. Zepf, Aaron J. Romanowsky, R. M. Sharples, K. L. Rhode

Faculty Publications

We present wide-field spectroscopy of globular clusters around the Leo I group galaxies NGC 3379 and NGC 3384 using the FLAMES multi-fibre instrument at the VLT. We obtain accurate radial velocities for 42 globular clusters (GCs) in total, 30 for GCs around the elliptical NGC 3379, eight around the lenticular NGC 3384, and four which may be associated with either galaxy. These data are notable for their large radial range extending from 0$\farcm$7 to 14$\farcm$5 (2 to 42 kpc) from the centre of NGC 3379, and small velocity uncertainties of about 10 km s-1. We combine our sample of 30 …

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The Araucaria Project. An Accurate Distance To Ngc 6822 From Near-Infrared Photometry Of Cepheid Variables, W. Gieren, G. Pietrzyński, K. Nalewajko, I. Soszyński, F. Bresolin, R.-P. Kudritzki, D. Minniti, Aaron J. Romanowsky Jan 2006

The Araucaria Project. An Accurate Distance To Ngc 6822 From Near-Infrared Photometry Of Cepheid Variables, W. Gieren, G. Pietrzyński, K. Nalewajko, I. Soszyński, F. Bresolin, R.-P. Kudritzki, D. Minniti, Aaron J. Romanowsky

Faculty Publications

We have measured near-infrared magnitudes in the J and K bands for 56 Cepheid variables in the Local Group galaxy NGC 6822 with well-determined periods and optical light curves in the V and I bands. Using the template light-curve approach of Soszyński and coworkers, accurate mean magnitudes were obtained from these data, which allowed us to determine with unprecedented accuracy the distance to NGC 6822 from a multiwavelength period-luminosity solution in the VIJK bands. From our data, we obtain a distance to NGC 6822 of (m - M)0 = 23.312 ± 0.021 (random error) mag, with an additional systematic uncertainty …

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The Radiative Transport Of Dust In Primordial Galaxies And Second-Generation Star Formation, Aparna Venkatesan, Biman B. Nath, J Shull Jan 2006

The Radiative Transport Of Dust In Primordial Galaxies And Second-Generation Star Formation, Aparna Venkatesan, Biman B. Nath, J Shull

Physics and Astronomy

We investigate the radiativetransport of dust inprimordial galaxies in thepresence of the UVradiation field from thefirst metal-free stars. Wefind that dust createdin the first supernova(SN) explosions can bedriven through the interiorof the SN remnantto accumulate in theSN shells, where second-generationstars may form fromcompressed cooling gas. Thisscenario requires metal-free starsto form continuously overtimescales of up to10 Myr, consistent withrecent estimates. Silicate andgraphite grains, as wellas iron-bearing magnetites, aretransported to the shellsfor reasonable parameter assumptions,but their relative yieldsfrom primordial SNe isan important factor inthe resulting abundance ratios.We compare the resultsof segregated grain transportwith the current nucleosyntheticdata on extremely metal-poorGalactic halo stars. Fossilsignatures …

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Estimating Hydrodynamic Quantities In The Presence Of Microscopic Fluctuations, Alejandro Garcia Jan 2006

Estimating Hydrodynamic Quantities In The Presence Of Microscopic Fluctuations, Alejandro Garcia

Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the evaluation of hydrodynamic variables in the presence of spontaneous fluctuations, such as in molecular simulations of fluid flows. The principal point is that hydrodynamic variables such as fluid velocity and temperature must be defined in terms of mechanical variables such as momentum and energy density). Because these relations are nonlinear and because fluctuations of mechanical variables are correlated, care must be taken to avoid introducing a bias when evaluating means, variances, and correlations of hydrodynamic variables. The unbiased estimates are formulated; some alternative, incorrect approaches are presented as cautionary warnings. The expressions are verified by numerical …

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Variational Symmetries And Conservation Laws In Linearized Gravity, Balraj Menon Jan 2006

Variational Symmetries And Conservation Laws In Linearized Gravity, Balraj Menon

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The methods of symmetry group analysis are applied to the action functional of linearized gravity to derive necessary conditions for the existence of variational symmetries. Two classes of variational symmetries of linearized gravity are discussed, and the local conservation laws associated with these variational symmetries are presented by applying Noether's theorem

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Radioactive 26al And Massive Stars In The Galaxy, Roland Diehl, Hubert Halloin, Karsten Kretschmer, Giselher G. Lichiti, Volker Schönfelder, Andrew W. Strong, Andreas Von Kienlin, Wei Wang, Pierre Jean, Jürgen Knödlseder, Jean-Pierre Roques, Georg Weidenspointner, Stephane Schanne, Dieter H. Hartmann, Christoph Winkler, Cornelia Wunderer Jan 2006

Radioactive 26al And Massive Stars In The Galaxy, Roland Diehl, Hubert Halloin, Karsten Kretschmer, Giselher G. Lichiti, Volker Schönfelder, Andrew W. Strong, Andreas Von Kienlin, Wei Wang, Pierre Jean, Jürgen Knödlseder, Jean-Pierre Roques, Georg Weidenspointner, Stephane Schanne, Dieter H. Hartmann, Christoph Winkler, Cornelia Wunderer

Publications

Gamma-rays from radioactive 26Al (half life ~7.2 105 yr) provide a 'snapshot' view of ongoing nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy1. The Galaxy is relatively transparent to such gamma-rays, and emission has been found concentrated along the plane of the Galaxy2. This led to the conclusion1 that massive stars throughout the Galaxy dominate the production of 26Al. On the other hand, meteoritic data show locally-produced 26Al, perhaps from spallation reactions in the protosolar disk. Furthermore, prominent gamma-ray emission from the Cygnus region2,3 suggests that a substantial fraction of Galactic 26Al could originate in localized star-forming regions. Here we report high spectral resolution …

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Energetics Of Magnetic Storms Driven By Corotating Interaction Regions: A Study Of Geoeffectiveness, Niescja E. Turner, E J. Mitchell, D J. Knipp, B A. Emery Jan 2006

Energetics Of Magnetic Storms Driven By Corotating Interaction Regions: A Study Of Geoeffectiveness, Niescja E. Turner, E J. Mitchell, D J. Knipp, B A. Emery

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research

We investigate the energetics of magnetic storms associated with corotating interaction regions (CIRs). We analyze 24 storms driven by CIRs and compare to 18 driven by ejecta-related events to determine how they differ in overall properties and in particular in their distribution of energy. To compare these different types of events, we look at events with comparable input parameters such as the epsilon parameter and note the properties of the resulting storms. We estimate the energy output by looking at the ring current energy along with ionospheric Joule heating derived from the PC and Dst indices. We also include the …

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A Catalog Of Edge-On Disk Galaxies: From Galaxies With A Bulge To Superthin Galaxies, Stefan Kautsch, E. K. Grebel, F. D. Barazza, J. S. Gallagher Jan 2006

A Catalog Of Edge-On Disk Galaxies: From Galaxies With A Bulge To Superthin Galaxies, Stefan Kautsch, E. K. Grebel, F. D. Barazza, J. S. Gallagher

Chemistry and Physics Faculty Articles

Spiral galaxies range from bulge-dominated early-type galaxies to late types with little or no bulge. Cosmological models do not predict the formation of disk-dominated, essentially bulgeless galaxies, yet these objects exist. A particularly striking and poorly understood example of bulgeless galaxies are flat or superthin galaxies with large axis ratios. We therefore embarked on a study aimed at a better understanding of these enigmatic objects, starting by compiling a statistically meaningful sample with well-defined properties. The disk axis ratios can be most easily measured when galaxies are seen edge-on. We used data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) in …

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Optimization Of Single-Sided Charge-Sharing Strip Detectors, L A. Hamel, M Benoit, B Donmez, John R. Macri, Mark L. Mcconnell, T Narita, James M. Ryan Jan 2006

Optimization Of Single-Sided Charge-Sharing Strip Detectors, L A. Hamel, M Benoit, B Donmez, John R. Macri, Mark L. Mcconnell, T Narita, James M. Ryan

Space Science Center

Simulation of the charge sharing properties of single-sided CZT strip detectors with small anode pads are presented. The effect of initial event size, carrier repulsion, diffusion, drift, trapping and detrapping are considered. These simulations indicate that such a detector with a 150 µm pitch will provide good charge sharing between neighboring pads. This is supported by a comparison of simulations and measurements for a similar detector with a coarser pitch of 225 µm that could not provide sufficient sharing. The performance of such a detector used as a gamma-ray imager is discussed.

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Prospects For Grb Polarimetry With Grape, Mark L. Mcconnell, Peter F. Bloser, Jason S. Legere, John R. Macri, T Narita, James M. Ryan Jan 2006

Prospects For Grb Polarimetry With Grape, Mark L. Mcconnell, Peter F. Bloser, Jason S. Legere, John R. Macri, T Narita, James M. Ryan

Space Science Center

This paper discusses the latest progress in the development of GRAPE (Gamma‐Ray Polarimeter Experiment), a hard X‐ray Compton Polarimeter. The purpose of GRAPE is to measure the polarization of hard X‐rays in the 50–300 keV energy range. We are particularly interested in X‐rays that are emitted from solar flares and gamma‐ray bursts (GRBs). Accurately measuring the polarization of the emitted radiation from these sources will lead to a better understating of both the emission mechanisms and source geometries. The GRAPE design consists of an array of plastic scintillators surrounding a central high‐Z crystal scintillator. We can monitor individual Compton scatters …

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Position Resolution In Labr3 And Lacl3 Scintillators Using Position-Sensitive Photomultiplier Tubes, Peter F. Bloser, Mark L. Mcconnell, John R. Macri, James M. Ryan, Justin Baker Jan 2006

Position Resolution In Labr3 And Lacl3 Scintillators Using Position-Sensitive Photomultiplier Tubes, Peter F. Bloser, Mark L. Mcconnell, John R. Macri, James M. Ryan, Justin Baker

Space Science Center

Advanced scintillator materials such as LaBr3:Ce and LaCl3:Ce hold great promise for future hard X-ray and gamma-ray astrophysics missions due to their high density, high light output, good linearity, and fast decay times. Of particular importance for future space-based imaging instruments, such as coded-aperture telescopes, is the precise spatial location of individual gamma-ray interactions. We have investigated the position and energy resolution achievable within monolithic (5 cm × 5 cm × 1 cm) LaBr3:Ce and LaCl3:Ce crystals using position-sensitive light readout devices, including a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube and a multi-anode photomultiplier tube. We present the results of these tests and …

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Medium-Energy Gamma-Ray Astrophysics With The 3-Dti Gamma-Ray Telescope, Stanley D. Hunter, Robert G. Baker, Louis M. Barbier, Peter F. Bloser, La Vida Cooper, John F. Krizmanic, Jason T. Link, Mark L. Mcconnell, Geoergia A. De Nolfo, James M. Ryan, Satpal Singh, Seunghee Son Jan 2006

Medium-Energy Gamma-Ray Astrophysics With The 3-Dti Gamma-Ray Telescope, Stanley D. Hunter, Robert G. Baker, Louis M. Barbier, Peter F. Bloser, La Vida Cooper, John F. Krizmanic, Jason T. Link, Mark L. Mcconnell, Geoergia A. De Nolfo, James M. Ryan, Satpal Singh, Seunghee Son

Space Science Center

Gamma-ray observations in the medium energy range (0.50-50.0 MeV) are central to unfolding many outstanding questions in astrophysics. The challenges of medium-energy gamma-ray observations, however, are the low photon statistics and large backgrounds. We review these questions, address the telescope technology requirements, and describe our development of the 3-Dimensional Track Imaging (3-DTI) Compton telescope and its performance for a new mediumenergy gamma-ray mission. The 3-DTI is a large-volume time projection chamber (TPC) with a 2-dimensional gas micro-well detector (MWD) readout.

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Radiation Damage And Activation From Proton Irradiation Of Advanced Scintillators, Peter F. Bloser, Mark L. Mcconnell, John R. Macri, P J. Bruillard, James M. Ryan, W Hajdas Jan 2006

Radiation Damage And Activation From Proton Irradiation Of Advanced Scintillators, Peter F. Bloser, Mark L. Mcconnell, John R. Macri, P J. Bruillard, James M. Ryan, W Hajdas

Space Science Center

We present results from a proton accelerator beam test to measure radiation damage and activation in advanced scintillator materials. Samples of LaBr3:Ce and LaCl3:Ce were exposed to protons from 40-250 MeV at the Proton Irradiation Facility of the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Twelve energy bands were used to simulate the spectrum of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), with different samples exposed to the equivalent of 4 months, 1 year, and 5 years of SAA passage. No significant decrease in light output was found due to radiation damage, indicating that these new scintillator materials are radiation tolerant. High-resolution spectra of …

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The Caster Black Hole Finder Probe, Mark L. Mcconnell, Peter F. Bloser, G L. Case, M L. Cherry, J Cravens, T G. Guzik, K Hurley, R M. Kippen, John R. Macri, R S. Miller, W Paciesas, James M. Ryan, B Schaefer, J G. Stacy, W T. Vestrand, J P. Wefel Jan 2006

The Caster Black Hole Finder Probe, Mark L. Mcconnell, Peter F. Bloser, G L. Case, M L. Cherry, J Cravens, T G. Guzik, K Hurley, R M. Kippen, John R. Macri, R S. Miller, W Paciesas, James M. Ryan, B Schaefer, J G. Stacy, W T. Vestrand, J P. Wefel

Space Science Center

The primary scientific mission of the Black Hole Finder Probe (BHFP), part of the NASA Beyond Einstein program, is to survey the local Universe for black holes over a wide range of mass and accretion rate. One approach to such a survey is a hard X‐ray coded‐aperture imaging mission operating in the 10–600 keV energy band. The development of new inorganic scintillator materials provides improved performance that is well suited to the BHFP science requirements. Detection planes formed with these materials coupled with a new generation of readout devices represent a major advancement in the performance capabilities of scintillator‐based gamma …

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