Gamma-ray Line Observations Research Articles

Evaluating the capability of detecting recoil-electron tracks using an electron-tracking Compton camera with a silicon-on-insulator pixel sensor

Sub-MeV gamma-ray line observations are crucial for the understanding of high-energy astrophysical processes. In this energy range, the presence of a significant amount of background poses a serious problem. Therefore, it is essential to reduce this background to achieve high-sensitivity observations. An electron-tracking Compton camera can efficiently mitigate the impact of background on scientific results thanks to its ability to fully resolve the Compton process. In addition if we utilize a semiconductor detector as the sensor, the electron-tracking Compton camera can achieve high-energy resolution for the detection of gamma-ray lines. To operate the electron-tracking Compton camera effectively, the sensor needs to coincidence events for each detection signal and resolve the complex structure of recoiled-electron tracks of a few hundred μm. We focused on the silicon-on-insulator pixel sensor XRPIX2b developed for X-ray observations, which satisfies requirements. We developed a prototype electron-tracking Compton camera using XRPIX2b and carried out a quantitative evaluation of its detection capability for estimating the recoil directions of electrons at various angles. As a result, we successfully detected short recoil-electron tracks with a length of 100μm corresponded to scattering angles of 30°-40° for 511 keV gamma rays entering the sensor. In term of angular resolution measure and scatter plane deviation of a reconstructed image, the evaluations showed results of 15° and 40° (full width at half maximum), respectively, in cases where 511 keV gamma rays were scattered at 90° and recoil electrons tracked the surface of the sensor detection plane. We confirmed that these results were consistent with simulation results, within approximately a 15% margin.

Deriving Thermonuclear Supernova Properties from Gamma-Ray Line Measurements

We illustrate methods for deriving properties of thermonuclear, or Type Ia, supernovae, including synthesized 56Ni mass, total ejecta mass, ejecta kinetic energy, and 56Ni distribution in velocity, from gamma-ray line observations. We simulate data from a small number of published SNe Ia models for a simple gamma-ray instrument, and measure their underlying properties from straightforward analyses. Assuming spherical symmetry and homologous expansion, we calculate exact line profiles for all 56Co and 56Ni lines at all times, requiring only the variation of mass density and 56Ni mass fraction with expansion velocity as input. By parameterizing these quantities, we iterate the parameters to fit the simulated data. We fit the full profiles of multiple lines, or we integrate over the lines and fit line fluxes only versus time. Line profile fits are more robust, but in either case, we can recover accurately the values of the aforementioned properties of the models simulated, given sufficient signal to noise in the lines. A future gamma-ray mission with line sensitivity approaching 10−6 photons cm−2 s−1 would measure these properties for many SNe Ia, and with unprecedented precision and accuracy for a few per year. Our analyses applied to the reported 56Co lines from SN 2014J favor a low 56Ni mass and low ejecta mass, relative to other estimates.

Gamma ray lines: What will they tell us about supersymmetry?

Neutralino dark matter can be indirectly detected by observing the gamma ray lines from the annihilation processes XX-->gg and XX-->gZ. In this paper we study the implications that the observation of these two lines could have for the determination of the supersymmetric parameter space. Within the minimal supergravity framework, we find that, independently of the dark matter distribution in the Galaxy, such observations by themselves would allow to differentiate between the coannihilation region, the funnel region, and the focus point region. As a result, several restrictions on the msugra parameters can be derived. Within a more general MSSM scenario, we show that the observation of gamma-ray lines might be used to discriminate between a bino-, a wino-, and a higgsino-like neutralino, with important consequences for cosmology and for models of supersymmetry breaking. The detection of the gamma ray lines, therefore, will not only provide an unmistakable signature of dark matter, it will also open a new road toward the determination of supersymmetric parameters.

Puzzles and potential for gamma-ray line observations of solar flare ion acceleration

The best tool for understanding ion acceleration in solar flares is gamma-ray line emission from nuclear de-excitation, positron annihilation, and neutron capture. These techniques have not yet come close to reaching their potential due to limited counting statistics in the lines. Instruments with focusing optics and large effective areas promise real breakthroughs in understanding high-energy solar processes. I discuss what can be learned from the various lines and the instrumental requirements for future focusing observations.

Gamma-ray line observations from cosmic nuclei

Gamma-ray line astronomy is capable to probe recent and current nucleosynthesis in the nearby universe. Interstellar 26Al (τ=1.04 10 6 y) confirms currently-active nucleosynthesis in the Galaxy, and could be attributed to massive stars as dominating sources. Nearby or well-known 26Al emission regions are now studied in detail to test consistency of models for the evolution of groups of massive stars and their impacts on the ISM. Interesting directions are towards Cygnus, Vela, Orion, and Sco-Cen. 26Al line shape details, and measurement of correlated 60Fe may be needed to resolve the massive-star degeneracy and quantify specific 26Al sources. In spite of the 44Ti detection (τ=89 y) from the Cas A supernova remnant 44Ti gamma-rays from other young SNRs, such as SN1987A or otherwise occulted SNRs in the inner Galaxy or nearby active regions, are difficult. The apparent paucity of 44Ti sources seems to suggest that 44Ti ejection is from rather non-typical core-collapse supernovae. Spectral resolution of the 44Ti line shape with future instruments could be a unique SN/SNR diagnostic. Transients from nova nucleosynthesis positron annihilation, and 7Be or more longlived 22Na radioactivities still have to wait for future more sensitive instruments or nearby events. High spectral-resolution experiments such as INTEGRAL (launch Oct 2002) will address some of the open questions through measurements of nucleosynthesis gamma-ray line shapes.

Cygnus OB2 at all wavelengths

The Cygnus X region is one of the most nearby star formation regions within our Galaxy, that is recognised by prominent emission throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to gamma-ray waves. The centre is populated by the peculiar stellar cluster Cyg OB2, traditionally classified as OB association, but in the light of modern data more likely the prototype of a young globular cluster within our own Galaxy. Heavily shredded by dense molecular clouds this object has been less thoroughly studied than other, more distant star formation complexes in the Milky Way. I will review our current knowledge about this object, by exposing its properties and that of its environment throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Particular emphasis will be given to infrared, radio-continuum, X-ray, and gamma-ray line observations that find in Cyg OB2 a text-book case for multiwavelength studies.

Nuclear Deexcitation Gamma‐Ray Lines from Accelerated Particle Interactions

Total cross sections for the production of gamma-ray lines from nuclear deexcitation as a function of the projectile energy are evaluated and presented. Included are proton and α reactions with He, C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, and Fe. Such functions are essential for interpretation of gamma-ray line observations of astrophysical sites which contain large fluxes of energetic particles such as solar flares, the Earth's atmosphere, planetary atmospheres and surfaces, the interstellar medium, and galactic nebulae.

RHESSI Observation of Atmospheric Gamma Rays from Impact of Solar Energetic Particles on 21 April 2002

The RHESSI high-resolution spectrometer detected γ-ray lines and continuum emitted by the Earth's atmosphere during impact of solar energetic particles in the south polar region from 16:00–17:00 UT on 21 April 2002. The particle intensity at the time of the observation was a factor of 10–100 weaker than previous events when gamma-rays were detected by other instruments. This is the first high-resolution observation of atmospheric gamma-ray lines produced by solar energetic particles. De-excitation lines were resolved that, in part, come from 14N at 728, 1635, 2313, 3890, and 5106 keV, and the 12C spallation product at ∼ 4439 keV. Other unresolved lines were also detected. We provide best-fit line energies and widths and compare these with moderate resolution measurements by SMM of lines from an SEP event and with high-resolution measurements made by HEAO 3 of lines excited by cosmic rays. We use line ratios to estimate the spectrum of solar energetic particles that impacted the atmosphere. The 21 April spectrum was significantly harder than that measured by SMM during the 20 October 1989 shock event; it is comparable to that measured by Yohkoh on 15 July 2000. This is consistent with measurements of 10–50 MeV protons made in space at the time of the γ-ray observations.

Gamma-Ray Line Observations of the 2000 July 14 Flare and SEP Impact on the Earth

The HXS and GRS detectors on Yohkoh observed the 14 July 2000, X5.7 flare, beginning at ∼ 10:20 UT, ∼ 4 min before the peak in soft X-rays. The hard X-rays and γ-rays peaked ∼ 3 min later at ∼ 10:27 UT. Solar γ-ray emission lasted until ∼ 10:40 UT. Impact of high-energy ions at the Sun is revealed by the γ-ray lines from neutron capture, annihilation radiation and de-excitation that are visible above the bremsstrahlung continuum. From measurement of these lines we find that the flare-averaged spectrum of accelerated protons is consistent with a power law ge10 MeV with index 3.14±0.15 and flux 1.1×1032 protons MeV−1 at 10 MeV. We estimate that there were ∼1.5×1030 erg in accelerated ions if the power law extended without a break down to 1 MeV; this is about 1% of the energy in electrons > 20 keV from measurements of the hard X-rays. We find no evidence for spectral hardening in the hard X-rays that has been suggested as a predictor for the occurrence of solar energetic particle (SEP) events. This was the third largest proton event above 10 MeV since 1976. The GRS and HXS also observed γ-ray lines and continuum produced by the impact of SEP on the Earth's atmosphere beginning about 13 UT on 14 July. These measurements show that the SEP spectrum softened considerably over the next 24 hours. We compare these measurements with proton measurements in space.

Gamma-rays from Solar Flares

Gamma-ray emission is the most direct diagnostic of energetic ions and relativistic electrons in solar flares. Analysis of solar flare gamma-ray data has shown: (i) ion acceleration is a major consequence of flare energy release, as the total flare energy in accelerated particles appears to be equipartitioned between ≳ 1 MeV/nucleon ions and ≳ 20 keV electrons, and amounts to an important fraction of the total energy release; (ii) there are flares for which over 50% of the energy is in a particles and heavier ions; (iii) in both impulsive and gradual flares, the particles that interact at the Sun and produce gamma rays are essentially always accelerated by the same mechanism that operates in impulsive flares, probably stochastic acceleration through gyroresonant wave particle interaction; and (iv) gamma-ray spectroscopy can provide new information on solar abundances, for example the site of the FIP-bias onset and the photospheric 3He abundance. We propose a new technique for the investigation of mass motion and mixing in the solar atmosphere: the observations of gamma-ray lines from long-term radioactivity produced by flare accelerated particles.

Diffuse 0.5–1 keV X‐Rays and Nuclear Gamma Rays from Fast Particles in the Local Hot Bubble

We show that interactions of fast particles with the boundary shell of the local hot bubble could make an important contribution to the 0.5-1 keV diffuse X-ray background observed with ROSAT. The bulk of these nonthermal X-rays are due to line emission from fast O ions of energies around 1 MeV/nucleon. This is the typical energy per particle in the ejecta of the supernova which is thought to have energized the bubble. We find that there is sufficient total energy in the ejecta to produce X-rays of the required intensity, subject to the details of the evolution of the fast particle population since the supernova explosion (about 3 10$^5$ years ago based on the age of the Geminga pulsar). The unequivocal signature of lines from deexcitations in fast ions is their large width ($\delta E/E$~0.1 for O lines), which will clearly distinguishes them from X-ray lines produced in a hot plasma. If a small fraction of the total ejecta energy is converted into accelerated particle kinetic energy (>~30 MeV/nucleon), the gamma-ray line emission produced in the boundary shell of the local hot bubble could account for the recently reported COMPTEL observations of nuclear gamma-ray lines from a broad region towards the Galactic center.

X‐Rays from Accelerated Ion Interactions

We have developed in detail the theory of X-ray line and continuum production due to atomic interactions of accelerated ions, incorporating in our calculations information from a broad range of laboratory measurements. We applied our calculations to the Orion region from which nuclear gamma-ray line observations with the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) were reported. The accelerated particles which produce this gamma-ray emission via nuclear reactions also produce X-ray lines via atomic interactions. We predict strong, relatively broad line emission in the range from 0.5 to 1 keV, mainly due to de-excitations in fast O ions. Current ROSAT observations of Orion do not provide unambiguous signatures for X-ray production by accelerated ions. However, if future X-ray observations with high spectral resolution would confirm the predicted X-rays, the combined analysis of the X-ray and gamma-ray data will set important constraints on the origin of the accelerated particles and their interaction model.

SOLAR ENERGETIC ION AND ELECTRON LIMITS FROM HIREGS OBSERVATIONS

The HIgh-REsolution Gamma-ray and hard X-ray Spectrometer (HIREGS) consists of an actively shielded array of twelve liquid-nitrogen-cooled germanium detectors designed to provide unprecedented spectral resolution and narrow-line sensitivity for solar gamma-ray line observations. Two long-duration, circumpolar balloon flights of HIREGS in Antarctica (10–24 January, 1992 and 31 December, 1992–10 January, 1993) provided 90.9 and 20.4 hours of solar observations, respectively. During the observations, eleven soft X-ray bursts at C levels and above (largest M1.7) occurred, and three small solar hard X-ray bursts were detected by the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. HIREGS detected a significant increase above 30 keV in one. No solar gamma-ray line emission was detected. Limits on the 2.223-MeV line and the hard X-ray emission are used to estimate the relative contribution of protons and electrons to the energy in flares, and to coronal heating. For the 2.223-MeV line, the upper limit fluence is ≲ 0.8 ph cm-2 in the flares, and the upper limit flux is 1.8 × 10-4 ph s-1 cm-2 in the absence of flares. These limits imply that ≲ 6 × 1030 (2σ) protons above 30 MeV were accelerated in the flares, assuming standard photospheric abundances and a thick target model. The total energy contained in the accelerated protons >30 MeV is ≲ 4 × 1026 ergs, but this limit can be more than 1030 ergs if the spectrum extends down to ∽1 MeV. The upper limit on the total energy in accelerated electrons during the observed flares can also exceed 1030 ergs if the spectrum goes down to ∽ 7 keV. Quiet-Sun observations indicate that ≲ 1026erg s-1 are deposited by energetic protons >1 MeV, well below the1027 –1028 erg s-1 required for coronal heating, while <3 × 1027 erg s-1 are deposited by energetic electrons, which does not exclude the possibility of coronal heating by quiet-time accelerated electrons. The quiet-Sun observations also suggest that if protons stored in the corona are to supply the energy for flares, as suggested by Elliot (1964), the proton spectrum must extend down to at least ∽2 MeV. However, collisional losses at typical coronal-loop densities prevent those low-energy protons from being stored for ≳ 104 s. It therefore seems unlikely that the energy for flares could come from energetic protons stored over long periods.

Gamma-ray continuum and line observations of SN 1987A

The Caltech y-ray imaging telescope observed the hard X-ray and γ-ray emission from SN 1987A as it evolved between 1987 May and 1989 April, in a series of four balloon flights from Alice Springs, NT, Australia. Observations of the Crab Nebula and Pulsar provided in-flight data on pointing accuracy and instrument function for each flight. Results presented here include our measurements on 1987 November 18, (D268) and 1988 April 12, (D414) of both line emission at 847 and 1238 keV from the decay of ^(56)Co, and Compton-scattered continuum above 50 keV. Upper limits for both line and continuum emission were obtained on 1987 May 20, (D86) and 1989 April 4, (D771). For the D268 and D414 continuum measurements, our results are best-fit by a differential power law of the form dN/dE = κE^(-γ) (cm^(-2) s^(-1) keV) for the energy range 50-800 keV. Our corresponding line measurements were fit with Gaussian profiles, containing additional terms for the underlying continuum. We compare our flux measurements and upper limits to those from other experiments and to predictions of theoretical models.

Design of a Liquid Xenon Calorimeter for the Observation of Cosmic Gamma Ray Lines in the 1∼100 GeV Region

A liquid xenon calorimeter has recently been designed. The main purpose is to show the capability of observing monochromatic cosmic gamma ray lines in the 1∼100 GeV region. The calorimeter has a geometric factor of ∼1 m2·sr, an energy resolution of ∼0.4% and an angular resolution of about 1 degree for GeV-region gamma rays. These characteristics will meet the conditions required for the observation of gamma ray lines produced by the pair annihilation of hypothetical SUSY heavy Majorana fermions which might exist in the galactic halo as dark matter. The calorimeter is also applicable to the search for point sources emitting gamma rays as well as the investigation of diffuse gamma rays at high energies.

The nuclear astrophysics explorer

The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer (NAE) is a concept for a possible future NASA Explorer mission which would obtain high resolution, E Δ E ∼ 500 , observations of gamma-ray lines in order to study many fundamental problems in astrophysics. It operates from 15 keV to 10 MeV with a 3σ sensitivity to narrow lines of ∼ 3×10 −6 ph/cm 2-s in a 10 6 s observation. This is 100 times below the presently known gamma-ray line fluxes. The NAE uses a heavily shielded array of 9 cooled Ge detectors in a very low background configuration. Its 10° field of view contains a versatile coded mask system which provides 2-D imaging with 4° resolution, 1-D imaging with 2° resolution and efficient measurements of emission from diffuse and point sources. The late 1990's is the earliest the NAE mission could begin. The scientific motivation, instrument concept, mission concept and expected results, and status and plans for the NAE are presented.

The oriented scintillation spectrometer experiment on GRO

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) uses four actively shielded NaI(Tl)-CsI(Na) phoswich detectors to undertake gamma-ray line and continuum observations in the 0.05 – 10 MeV energy range. There is also a capability to observe gamma rays and neutrons above 10 MeV, primarily for solar flare objectives. Each detector has a 3.8° × 11.4° (FWHM) field-of-view defined by tungsten collimators. OSSE will undertake a broad range of scientific objectives and will provide a line sensitivity of 2–5 × 10 −5 photons/cm 2-s for a 10 6-second observation and a corresponding continuum sensitivity of < 5 × 10 −3 Crab. The planned OSSE observation program during the first fifteen months of the mission is described. During this period, GRO will undertake a sequence of 2-week pointings which will permit the EGRET and COMPTEL to complete sky surveys. The scientific objectives and capabilities of OSSE are presented, and the opportunities for participation in Guest Investigations are discussed.

Observations of gamma-ray line profiles from SN 1987A

Fully resolved gamma-ray line observations from the decay of Co-56 in SN 1987A are presented. Data are from the first two balloon flights of the Gamma-Ray Imaging Spectrometer. On day 433 (after the initial optical sighting) the 847 and 1238 keV lines from Co-56 were observed at 2.3 and 4.3 sigma significance. On day 613, the lines at 847, 1238, and 2599 keV were observed at 4.6, 3.4, and 1.9 sigma, respectively. The combined significance for the three-line complex in both flights is 7.8 sigma. Gaussian profiles yield acceptable least-squares fits to the lines. The line profiles are centered on the red side of the rest energy with typical velocity dispersions of about 3500 km/s FWHM, consistent with an optically thin source, but the line intensities are less than about 30 percent of those produced by the 0.075 solar mass of Co-56 determined from the bolometric light curve.

X-ray and gamma-ray emissions expected from supernova 1987A

The X-ray and gamma-ray spectra expected from SN 1987A have been calculated. Results for the TWOBF7 model are inconsistent with Ginga observation, but the X-ray flux and its spectral shape strongly depend on the chemical composition and expansion velocity of the ejecta. The distributions of density and chemical compositions for SN 1987A are described. For the TWOBF7 model, the X-ray flux between 10 and 20 keV reaches a peak of 6.7 photons/s/sq m about 1 yr after the explosion. For the 15B5 model, the peak flux is larger by a factor of five. The implications of the Ginga satellite's detection of an excess X-ray flux from the direction of the supernova for the models of SN 1987A are considered. How observations of gamma-ray lines can determine the optical thickness of the expanding shell is discussed.

The effects of mixing of the ejecta on the gamma-ray lines from SN 1987A

Mixing of matter in the ejecta is suggested by hydrodynamical calculations for SN 1987A. The X-ray flux calculated including mixing reproduces well the observed X-ray light curve and spectra. The effects of mixing on the gamma-ray lines have been estimated. The line fluxes at times less than 1.5 yr after the explosion strongly depend on mixing, and are greatly increased for values of the mixed mass larger than 4 solar masses. The peak advances to an earlier time and its flux is also greatly enhanced. If 5 solar masses are adopted for the mixed mass, as suggested from the X-ray calculations, the 847 keV line will reach its peak around 1.1 yr after the explosion with flux of 0.00086 photons/sq cm per s. If the mixed mass is less than 4 solar masses, the mixing effect becomes less prominent. The gamma-ray lines expected from SN 1987A should be observable. The way in which gamma-ray line observations can be used to diagnose properties of the ejecta is discussed.