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Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the new-generation ground-based observatory for γ astronomy, provides unique capabilities to address significant open questions in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. We study some of the salient areas of γ cosmology that can be explored as part of the Key Science Projects of CTA, through simulated observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and of their relativistic jets. Observations of AGN with CTA will enable a measurement of γ absorption on the extragalactic background light with a statistical uncertainty below 15% up to a redshift z=2 and to constrain or detect γ halos up to intergalactic-magnetic-field strengths of at least 0.3 pG . Extragalactic observations with CTA also show promising potential to probe physics beyond the Standard Model. The best limits on Lorentz invariance violation from γ astronomy will be improved by a factor of at least two to three. CTA will also probe the parameter space in which axion-like particles could constitute a significant fraction, if not all, of dark matter. We conclude on the synergies between CTA and other upcoming facilities that will foster the growth of γ cosmology.
Keywords: Cherenkov Telescope Array, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray experiments, axions, extragalactic magnetic fields
Published in RUNG: 02.03.2021; Views: 2294; Downloads: 71
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Keywords: Pierre Auger Observatory, ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECR), UHECR arrival directions, Galactic magnetic field (GMF), UHECR deflection patterns in GMF, search for magnetically-induced signatures in UHECR arrival directions
Published in RUNG: 21.12.2020; Views: 2195; Downloads: 69
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Abstract: In this study, we investigate the optically induced ultrafast demagnetization dynamics of a FePt alloy doped with Mn atoms on the characteristic timescale of the exchange interaction of a few femtoseconds. We use high harmonic generation with photon energies in the XUV to gain elemental resolution in a femtosecond magneto-optical Kerr-effect experiment [1] in transversal geometry. Following up on earlier experiments, which showed the importance of the exchange interaction in the demagnetization process in alloys [2,3], we see clear differences in the dynamical responses of the three elements Fe, Pt, and Mn. Our results suggest, that the exchange coupling between the magnetic moments of the FePt alloy and the Mn dopant changes on ultrashort timescales.
Keywords: FePt, High Harmonic Generation, Laser, Magnetic Materials
Published in RUNG: 22.05.2020; Views: 2996; Downloads: 0

Abstract: We study the anisotropy of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray (UHECR) events collected by the Telescope Array (TA) detector in the first 40 months of operation. Following earlier studies, we examine event sets with energy thresholds of 10 EeV, 40 EeV, and 57 EeV. We find that the distributions of the events in right ascension and declination are compatible with an isotropic distribution in all three sets. We then compare with previously reported clustering of the UHECR events at small angular scales. No significant clustering is found in the TA data. We then check the events with E > 57 EeV for correlations with nearby active galactic nuclei. No significant correlation is found. Finally, we examine all three sets for correlations with the large-scale structure (LSS) of the universe. We find that the two higher-energy sets are compatible with both an isotropic distribution and the hypothesis that UHECR sources follow the matter distribution of the universe (the LSS hypothesis), while the event set with E > 10 EeV is compatible with isotropy and is not compatible with the LSS hypothesis at 95% CL unless large deflection angles are also assumed. We show that accounting for UHECR deflections in a realistic model of the Galactic magnetic field can make this set compatible with the LSS hypothesis.
Keywords: acceleration of particles, astroparticle physics, cosmic rays, magnetic fields, methods: statistical, relativistic processes
Published in RUNG: 19.05.2020; Views: 2848; Downloads: 0
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Abstract: Evidence of an energy dependent intermediate-scale anisotropy has been found in the arrival directions of ultra-high energy cosmic rays in the northern hemisphere, using 7 years of TA surface detector data. The previously reported ``hot spot" excess E ≥ 10^19.75 EeV is found to correspond to a deficit, or ``cold spot," of events for 10^19.2≤ E < 10^19.75 EeV. This feature suggests energy dependent magnetic deflection of cosmic-rays. The global post-trial significance of the energy spectrum deviation is found to be 3.74σ.
Keywords: UHECR, cosmic rays, energy spectrum, anisotropy, magnetic deflection
Published in RUNG: 28.04.2020; Views: 2700; Downloads: 79
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