Search

Abstract: SS433, located at the center of the supernova remnant W50, is a close proximity binary system consisting of a compact star and a normal star. Jets of material are directed outwards from the vicinity of the compact star symmetrically to the east and west. Non-thermal hard X-ray emission is detected from lobes lying on both sides. Shock accelerated electrons are expected to generate VHE gamma rays through the inverse-Compton process in the lobes. Observations of the western X-ray lobe region of SS433/W50 system have been performed to detect VHE gamma rays using the 10m CANGAROO-II telescope in August and September, 2001, and July and September, 2002. The total observation times are 85.2h for ON source, and 80.8h for OFF source data. No significant excess of VHE gamma rays has been found at three regions of the western X-ray lobe of SS433/W50 system. We have derived 99% confidence level upper limits to the fluxes of gamma rays and have set constraints on the strengths of the magnetic fields assuming the synchrotron/inverse-Compton model for the wide energy range of photon spectrum from radio to TeV. The derived lower limits are G for the center of the brightest X-ray emission region and G for the far end from SS433 in the western X-ray lobe. In addition, we suggest that the spot-like X-ray emission may provide a major contribution to the hardest X-ray spectrum in the lobe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

More than three dozen submillisecond events of ELVES type ("elves"), which are the result of the interaction of the front of an electromagnetic pulse from a lightning discharge and the lower layer of the ionosphere, have been identified in the data of a UV Atmosphere orbital multichannel detector (Mini-EUSO). Each event has a characteristic annular glow pattern and occupies a significant part of the detector's field of view, and the signal in a separate channel has an asymmetric profile with a pronounced peak. The distribution of peak times contains information about both the localization of the discharge and the altitude of the glow. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian (probabilistic) model for reconstructing ELVES events, implemented using probabilistic programming methods in PyMC-5. The capabilities of the model for determining the position of the discharge are shown using the example of several events. Methods for modifying the model to restore the discharge orientation and refine the glow height are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mini-EUSO telescope was launched for the International Space Station on August 22 nd , 2019 to observe from the ISS orbit (∼ 400 km altitude) various phenomena occurring in the Earth's atmosphere through a UV-transparent window located in the Russian Zvezda Module. Mini-EUSO is based on a set of two Fresnel lenses of 25 cm diameter each and a focal plane of 48 × 48 pixels, for a total field of view of 44 °. Until July 2021, Mini-EUSO performed a total of 41 data acquisition sessions, obtaining UV images of the Earth in the 290 nm – 430 nm band with temporal and spatial resolution on ground of 2.5 μs and 6.3 × 6.3 km2, respectively. The data acquisition was performed with a 2.5 μs sampling rate, using a dedicated trigger looking for signals with a typical duration of tens of μs. In the present paper the analysis of the performance of the 2.5 μs trigger logic is presented, with a focus on the method used for the analysis and the categories of triggered events. The expected functioning of the trigger logic has been confirmed, with the trigger rate on spurious events that remains within the requirements in nominal background conditions. The trigger logic detected several different phenomena, including lightning strikes, elves, ground-based flashers and events with EAS-like characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Trigger Logic (TL) of the Tracking Ultraviolet Setup (TUS) and Multiwavelength Imaging New Instrument for the Extreme Universe Space Observatory (Mini-EUSO) space-based projects of the Joint Experiment Missions-EUSO (JEM-EUSO) program is summarized. The performance results on the search for Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECRs) are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have searched for very high energy (VHE) gamma rays from four blazars using the CANGAROO-III imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope. We report the results of the observations of H 2356-309, PKS 2155-304, PKS 0537-441, and 3C 279, performed from 2005 to 2009, applying a new analysis to suppress the effects of the position dependence of Cherenkov images in the field of view. No significant VHE gamma ray emission was detected from any of the four blazars. The GeV gamma-ray spectra of these objects were obtained by analyzing Fermi/LAT archival data. Wide range (radio to VHE gamma-ray bands) spectral energy distributions (SEDs) including CANGAROO-III upper limits, GeV gamma-ray spectra, and archival data, even though they are non-simultaneous, are discussed using a one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model in combination with a external Compton (EC) radiation. The HBLs (H 2356-309 and PKS 2155-304) can be explained by a simple SSC model, and PKS 0537-441 and 3C 279 are well modeled by a combination of SSC and EC model. We find a consistency with the blazar sequence in terms of strength of magnetic field and component size. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory on the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM-EUSO) of the International Space Station (ISS) is the first mission that will study from space Ultra High-Energy Cosmic Rays (UHECR). JEM-EUSO will observe Extensive Air Showers (EAS) produced by UHECRs traversing the Earth's atmosphere from above. For each event, the detector will make accurate measurements of the energy, arrival direction and nature of the primary particle using a target volume far greater than what is achievable from ground. The corresponding increase in statistics will help to clarify the origin and sources of UHECRs as well as the environment traversed during production and propagation. Possibly this will bring new light onto particle physics mechanisms operating at energies well beyond those achievable by man-made accelerators. The spectrum of scientific goals of the JEM-EUSO mission includes as exploratory objectives the detection of high-energy gamma rays and neutrinos, the study of cosmic magnetic fields, and tests of relativity and quantum gravity effects at extreme energies. In parallel JEM-EUSO will systematically perform observation of the surface of the Earth in the infra-red and ultraviolet ranges, studying also atmospheric phenomena (Transient Luminous Effects). The apparatus is a 2 t detector using Fresnel-based optics to focus the UV-light from EAS on a focal surface composed of about 6 000 multianode photomultipliers for a total of ≃ 3 ⋅ 105 channels. A multi-layer parallel architecture has been devised to handle the data flow and select valid triggers, reducing it to a rate compatible with downlink constraints. Each processing level filters the event with increasingly complex algorithms using ASICs, FPGAs and DSPs in this order to reject spurious triggers and reduce the data rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the detection, with the CANGAROO-III imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope array, of a very high energy gamma-ray signal from the unidentified gamma-ray source HESS J1614--518, which was discovered in the H.E.S.S. Galactic plane survey. Diffuse gamma-ray emission was detected above 760 GeV at the 8.9σ level during an effective exposure of 54 hr from 2008 May to August. The spectrum can be represented by a power law: (8.2 ± 2.2stat ± 2.5sys) x 10-12 x (E/1 TeV)-γ cm-2 s-1 TeV-1 with a photon index γ of 2.4 ± 0.3stat ± 0.2sys, which is compatible with that of the H.E.S.S. observations. By combining our result with multiwavelength data, we discuss the possible counterparts for HESS J1614--518 and consider radiation mechanisms based on hadronic and leptonic processes for a supernova remnant (SNR), stellar winds from massive stars, and a pulsar wind nebula (PWN). Although a leptonic origin from a PWN driven by an unknown pulsar remains possible, hadronic-origin emission from an unknown SNR is preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A prototype sampling electromagnetic calorimeter (17.1 radiation lengths) for future linear collider experiments was built, using plastic scintillator tiles and 4mm-thick lead absorber. Wavelength-shifting fibers were used to guide the scintillation light into multi-anode photo-multiplier tubes. The calorimeter was tested at the beam test facility of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) in 2004. In this article we present our beam test results for the tile/fiber calorimeter focusing on the linearity in energy response, the energy resolution, position resolution and uniformity across the tile front face. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In 2004, we searched for very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Plane using the CANGAROO-III stereoscopic observation system. Two different longitude regions (ℓ=−19°.5 and ℓ=+13°.0) on the Galactic Plane were observed during July and August 2004. We analyzed events that triggered three telescopes aiming to measure the diffuse emission component. No significant signal associated with the Galactic Plane was found from either of the regions. Assuming that the gamma-ray spectrum is described by a single power-law for energies ranging between a few GeV and TeV, lower limits of the power-law spectral indices were found to be 2.2 for both of the regions with a 99.9% confidence level. This result is consistent with the other VHE measurements and constrains a hypothesis in which a very hard (∼2.0) cosmic ray electron spectrum was introduced to explain the EGRET GeV anomaly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have constructed a shower maximum detector (SMD) using 1-cm wide scintillating strips. The SMD measures the position of electrons and photons in the electromagnetic calorimeter, and improves the separation capability. We use avalanche photodiodes (APDs) to read out the scintillation light; they are directly attached to each end of a strip so as to construct a compact detector. We operate the SMD at room temperature. This report describes the structure of the SMD and its performance as measured in beam tests for future linear collider experiments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have developed and tested a new type of multi-anode photomultiplier: Hamamatsu R8900-03 series. The main feature of the R8900-03 series is a highly sensitive surface: of the physical area. In this paper we report on the results of measurements we performed to check several parameters of this new type of photomultiplier. R8900-03 photomultipliers are devices suitable for experiments where large collection area and uniform detection efficiency are essential characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For the future linear collider calorimetry, fine-granularity is indispensable for energy measurements based on particle flow algorithm, which could achieve better energy resolution for jets than the conventional method. To explore the possibility for such a calorimeter using scintillator, an electromagnetic calorimeter test module, made of scintillator-strips and lead plates, was constructed and tested with test beams. Performance of the test module is presented in this article, in terms of the shower profile studies as well as energy and spatial measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory (EUSO) is a space mission to study extremely high-energy cosmic rays. The EUSO instrument is a wide-angle refractive telescope in near-ultraviolet wavelength region to observe time-resolved atmospheric fluorescence images of the extensive air showers from the International Space Station. The Focal surface is an aspherical curved surface, and its area amounts to about 4.5 m2. The focal surface detector is designed as a mosaic of multianode photomultipliers (MAPMT) for the single photoelectron counting capability. The strongest requirement for the focal surface detector is the maximization of the photon detection efficiency together with the uniformity over the focal surface. We have developed a new type of MAPMT. It is modified from the ordinary one and has a grid between the photocathode and the first dynode to electrostatically demagnify the photoelectron image on the dynode. We are also developing the HV supply system for a great number of MAPMTs. EUSO experiments the day-time and night-time every 90 minutes. The heat flow must be considered to stabilize the PMT characteristics, in parallel with the heat dissipation of the electronics attached on the focal surface supporting structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We are studying the performance of an electromagnetic calorimeter for the linear collider detector that uses plastic scintillator tiles as active media. To establish fabrication technique we built a thin test module. We then studied the uniformity of the module response as well as its position resolution at a test beam facility at the High-Energy Accelerator Research Organization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The CANGAROO-III project, which consists of an array of four 10-m atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes for gamma-ray astrophysics, started in 1999 in Woomera, South Australia. The first 10-m telescope has been in operation since 2000, and stereoscopic observations with the first and second telescopes started in 2002. The full array will be operational in 2003. Here we report on the status of the CANGAROO-III project including the results of observations with the first telescope. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A Cherenkov imaging camera for the CANGAROO-III experiment has been developed for observations of gamma-ray-induced air showers at energies from 1011 to 1014 eV. The camera consists of 427 pixels, arranged in a hexagonal shape at 0.17° intervals, each of which is a 3/4-in. diameter photomultiplier module with a Winston-cone-shaped light guide. The camera was designed to have a large dynamic range of signal linearity, a wider field of view, and an improvement in photon-collection efficiency compared with the CANGAROO-II camera. The camera, and a number of the calibration experiments made to test its performance, are described in detail in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have measured performance of a lead/plastic scintillator sampling calorimeter in two separate beam tests at low (1–4 GeV) and high (10–200 GeV) energies. The calorimeter is composed of 8-mm-thick lead plates and 2-mm-thick plastic scintillator plates for hardware compensation, where responses to electromagnetic and hadronic showers of the same energy are identical. We find the linearity to be better than 1% in the energy range between 2 and 150 GeV for both pions and electrons. The energy resolutions are obtained to be (46.7±0.6)%/√ of E⊕(0.9±0.9)% for pions, where the energy E is given in GeV. The response ratio of electromagnetic showers to hadronic showers is measured to be 1.04±0.01 at low energies, and 0.99±0.01 at high energies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The electron/hadron separation in the calorimetry can be improved if we measure the electromagnetic shower development at an early stage. The incident positions of electrons and photons can be precisely measured with a position sensitive detector placed near the electromagnetic shower maximum. We constructed a set of prototype preshower and shower-maximum detectors to be attached in front of a main calorimeter. Performance of the detectors was studied in combination with a lead/plastic-scintillator calorimeter module using high energy beams up to 100 GeV at a test beam facility at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Extreme Universe Space Observatory on JEM/EF (JEM-EUSO) is a space mission to study extremely high-energy cosmic rays. The JEM-EUSO instrument is a wide-angle refractive telescope in the near-ultraviolet wave-length region which will be mounted to the International Space Station. Its goal is to measure time-resolved fluorescence images of extensive air showers in the atmosphere. In this paper we describe in detail the main features and technological aspects of the focal surface of the instrument. The JEM-EUSO local surface is a spherically curved surface, with an area of about 4.5 m². The focal surface detector is made of more than 5 000 multi-anode photomultipliers (MAPMTs). Current baseline is Hamamatsu RI1265-03-M64. The approach to the focal surface detector is highly modular. Photo-Detector-Modules (PDM) are the basic units that drive the mechanical structure and data acquisition. Each PDM consists of 9 Elementary Cells (ECs). The EC, which is the basic unit of the MAPMT support structure and of the front-end electronics, contains 4 units of MAPMTs. In total, about 1 200 ECs or about 150 PDMs are arranged on the whole of the focal surface of JEM-EUSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]