High-energy Electron Spectra Research Articles

Development and Calibration of a Three-Directional High-Energy Particle Detector for FY-3E Satellite

According to the characteristics of the LEO space particles radiation environment of China’s Fengyun No. 3 (FY-3) polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, in order to monitor the characteristics, and space–time distribution of charged particle radiation in the orbit space, it is proposed to install a three-directional high-energy particle detector (HEPD) in the three vertical orthogonal directions of FY-3E, so as to carry out the energy spectrum and flux observation of high-energy protons and electrons in the three directions of the satellite, namely, −X, +Y, and −Z. The on-orbit detection data acquired by these payloads can be used for space environment modeling and solar-terrestrial physics research, and provide data sources for operational space environment weather warning and forecasting. Through the ground accelerator calibration experiment and simulation analysis of the three-directional HEPDs developed in the flight model phase, the experimental results show that all the HEPDs’ measured values meet the requirements for technical indexes, such as the detection energy range (high-energy protons: 3–300 MeV; high-energy electrons: 0.15–5.7 MeV), energy span accuracy (<15%), flux accuracy (<15%), and sensitivity (<5% (ΔN/N)).

Ultra-high energy inverse Compton emission from Galactic electron accelerators

It is generally held that >100 TeV emission from astrophysical objects unambiguously demonstrates the presence of PeV protons or nuclei, due to the unavoidable Klein–Nishina suppression of inverse Compton emission from electrons. However, in the presence of inverse Compton dominated cooling, hard high-energy electron spectra are possible. We show that the environmental requirements for such spectra can naturally be met in spiral arms, and in particular in regions of enhanced star formation activity, the natural locations for the most promising electron accelerators: powerful young pulsars. Leptonic scenarios are applied to gamma-ray sources recently detected by the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory (HAWC) and the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). We show that these sources can indeed be explained by inverse Compton emission.

Ultra-high Energy Inverse Compton Emission from Galactic Electron Accelerators

Abstract It is generally held that >100 TeV emission from astrophysical objects unambiguously demonstrates the presence of PeV protons or nuclei, due to the unavoidable Klein–Nishina suppression of inverse Compton emission from electrons. However, in the presence of inverse Compton dominated cooling, hard high-energy electron spectra are possible. We show that the environmental requirements for such spectra can naturally be met in spiral arms, and in particular in regions of enhanced star formation activity, the natural locations for the most promising electron accelerators: powerful young pulsars. Our scenario suggests a population of hard ultra-high energy sources is likely to be revealed in future searches, and may also provide a natural explanation for the 100 TeV sources recently reported by the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory.

Predominant contribution of direct laser acceleration to high-energy electron spectra in a low-density self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator

The two-temperature relativistic electron spectrum from a low-density ($3\times10^{17}$~cm$^{-3}$) self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator (SM-LWFA) is observed to transition between temperatures of $19\pm0.65$ and $46\pm2.45$ MeV at an electron energy of about 100 MeV. When the electrons are dispersed orthogonally to the laser polarization, their spectrum above 60 MeV shows a forking structure characteristic of direct laser acceleration (DLA). Both the two-temperature distribution and the forking structure are reproduced in a quasi-3D \textsc{Osiris} simulation of the interaction of the 1-ps, moderate-amplitude ($a_{0}=2.7$) laser pulse with the low-density plasma. Particle tracking shows that while the SM-LWFA mechanism dominates below 40 MeV, the highest-energy ($>60$ MeV) electrons gain most of their energy through DLA. By separating the simulated electric fields into modes, the DLA-dominated electrons are shown to lose significant energy to the longitudinal laser field from the tight focusing geometry, resulting in a more accurate measure of net DLA energy gain than previously possible.

Local fading accelerator and the origin of TeV cosmic ray electrons

The total cosmic ray electron spectrum (electrons plus positrons) exhibits a break at a particle energy of $\sim 1\rm~TeV$ and extends without any attenuation up to $\rm \sim 20~ TeV $. Synchrotron and inverse Compton energy losses strongly constrain both the age and the distance of the potential sources of TeV and multi-TeV electrons to $\rm\approx 10^5~yr$ and $\rm \approx 100-500~pc$, depending on both the absolute value and energy dependence of the cosmic ray diffusion coefficient. This suggests that only a few, or just one nearby discrete source may explain the observed spectrum of high energy electrons. On the other hand the measured positron fraction, after initially increasing with particle energy, saturates at a level well below 0.5 and likely drops above $\sim 400-500$ GeV. This means that the local source(s) of TeV electrons should not produce positrons in equal amount, ruling out scenarios involving pulsars/pulsar winds as the main sources of high energy leptons. In this paper we show that a single, local, and fading source can naturally account for the entire spectrum of cosmic ray electrons in the TeV domain. Even though the nature of such source remains unclear, we discuss known cosmic ray accelerators, such as supernova remnant and stellar wind shocks, which are believed to accelerate preferentially electrons rather than positrons.

Influence of Runaway Electrons on the Formation Time of Nanosecond Discharge

In this paper, we present the theoretical results of a self-consistent kinetic simulation, clarifying the influence of runaway electron flows on a delay time of the switching stage of a nanosecond discharge. The simulation is based on an accurate numerical solution of the Boltzmann kinetic equation, with model collision integrals that take into account elastic and ionization collisions of the electrons with neutral atoms. As an example, the breakdown of a cylindrical gap is investigated with respect to the variations of the voltage rise time value. The current and voltage time profiles, power spectrum, and current of high-energy electrons, as well as the electron distribution function, are calculated accordingly. Our numerical solution agrees with the existent experimental data.

Extraction of geometrical structure of ethylene molecules by laser-induced electron diffraction combined with ab initio scattering calculations

Author(s): Ito, Y; Carranza, R; Okunishi, M; Lucchese, RR; Ueda, K | Abstract: We measured angle-resolved high-energy electron spectra emitted from C2H4 in an intense laser field, extracted field-free electron-ion elastic scattering differential cross sections (DCSs) according to quantitative rescattering theory, and obtained molecular contrast factors (MCFs) subtracting the incoherent sum of DCSs of all the atoms in the molecule. Comparing the results with ab initio scattering calculations and employing least-squares fitting, we have extracted the C-C and C-H bond lengths of the molecule with ∼5% uncertainty. This approach opens the way to retrieve the structure of hydrocarbon molecules, potentially at high temporal resolution, employing low collision energies where electron scattering is sensitive to the hydrogen atoms; and where the independent atom model calculations may fail to reproduce the experimentally extracted MCF.

Perspectives of the GAMMA-400 space observatory for high-energy gamma rays and cosmic rays measurements

The GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope is intended to measure the fluxes of gamma-rays and cosmic-ray electrons and positrons in the energy range from 100 MeV to several TeV. Such measurements concern the following scientific tasks: investigation of point sources of gamma-rays, studies of the energy spectra of Galactic and extragalactic diffuse emission, studies of gamma-ray bursts and gamma-ray emission from the Sun, as well as high precision measurements of spectra of high-energy electrons and positrons. Also the GAMMA- 400 instrument provides the possibility for protons and nuclei measurements up to knee. But the main goal for the GAMMA-400 mission is to perform a sensitive search for signatures of dark matter particles in high-energy gamma-ray emission. To fulfill these measurements the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope possesses unique physical characteristics in comparison with previous and present experiments. The major advantage of the GAMMA-400 instrument is excellent angular and energy resolution for gamma-rays above 10 GeV. The GAMMA-400 experiment will be installed onboard of the Navigator space platform, manufactured by the NPO Lavochkin Association. The expected orbit will be a highly elliptical orbit (with apogee 300.000 km and perigee 500 km) with 7 days orbital period. An important profit of such an orbit is the fact that the full sky coverage will always be available for gamma ray astronomy.

Measurement of electron-positron spectrum in high-energy cosmic rays in the PAMELA experiment

At present the existing data on the cosmic ray electron energy spectra in the high energy range are fragmented, and the situation is exacerbated by their small number. In the satellite PAMELA experiment measurements at high energies are carried out by the calorimeter. The experimental data accumulated for more than 8 years of measurements, with the information of the calorimeter, the neutron detector and the scintillation counters made it possible to obtain the total spectrum of high-energy electrons and positrons in energy range 0.3-3 TeV.

Molecular above-threshold ionization spectra as an evidence of the three-point interference of electron wave packets

We consider high-order above-threshold ionization (HATI) of polyatomic molecules ionized by a strong linearly polarized laser field. Improved molecular strong-field approximation by which the HATI process on polyatomic molecular species can be described is developed. Using this theory we calculate photoelectron angular-energy spectra for different triatomic molecules. Special attention is devoted to the minima that are observed in the calculated high-energy electron spectra of the ozone and carbon dioxide molecules. A key difference between these minima and minima that are observed in the corresponding spectra of diatomic molecules are presented.

Physical Performance of GAMMA-400 Telescope. Angular Resolution, Proton and Electron Separation

The specially designed GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope will realize the measurements of gamma-ray fluxes and cosmic-ray electrons and positrons in the energy range from 100 MeV to several TeV. Such measurements concern with the following broad range of scientific topics. Search for signatures of dark matter, investigation of gamma-ray point and extended sources, studies of the energy spectra of Galactic and extragalactic diffuse emission, studies of gamma-ray bursts and gamma-ray emission from the active Sun, as well as high-precision measurements of spectra of high-energy electrons and positrons, protons, and nuclei up to the knee. To clarify these scientific problems with the new experimental data the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope possesses unique physical characteristics comparing with previous and present experiments. For gamma-ray energies more than 100GeV GAMMA-400 provides the energy resolution ∼1% and angular resolution better than 0.02 deg. The methods, developed to reconstruct the direction of incident gamma photon, are presented in this paper, as well as, the capability of the GAMMA-400 gamma-ray telescope to distinguish electrons and positrons from protons in cosmic rays is discussed.

KeV electron heating in laser-cluster interaction probed by X-ray and electron spectroscopy

The interaction of intense laser pulses with nanoscopic rare-gas clusters provides a testing ground for laser-atom interaction at solid-state densities. We investigate the driven electronic dynamics on the femtosecond time scale both experimentally and theoretically using two complementary observables: the laser intensity dependence of characteristic X-ray emission and of high-energy (keV) electron spectra.

An approach to an accurate determination of the energy spectrum of high-energy electron beams using magnetic spectrometry

At the national metrology institute of Germany, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, a research accelerator for dosimetry in radiation therapy has been installed. Magnetic spectrometry is used to determine the spectrum of high-energy electrons generated by this accelerator. Regarding the intended experiments at the accelerator, a high accuracy for the energy determination of the electron beam is required. For this purpose, an experimental setup is used that has a number of additional devices assembled around the spectrometer to determine geometric characteristics of the electron beam, which influence the energy analysis. For the analysis of the acquired data, a software was developed which meets specific needs. One important aspect is that the software is based on an algorithm for energy determination which considers the measured magnetic flux density of the spectrometer and geometric details of the beam and the spectrometer. The software also meets the demand that it can be used to estimate the uncertainty assigned to the energy. This paper covers the experimental and analytical background of magnetic spectrometry at the high-energy beamline of PTB's research accelerator. A comparison of results calculated with the specific algorithm for energy determination which was developed for this experimental setup and with well-known algorithms is given to show the advantage of the specific method. Results of measurements and their analysis with the algorithm are presented as well.

Contribution from individual nearby sources to the spectrum of high-energy cosmic-ray electrons

In the last few years, very important data on high-energy cosmic-ray electrons and positrons from high-precision space-born and ground-based experiments have attracted a great deal of interest. These particles represent a unique probe for studying local comic-ray accelerators because they lose energy very rapidly. These energy losses reduce the lifetime so drastically that high-energy cosmic-ray electrons can attain the Earth only from rather local astrophysical sources. This work aims at calculating, by means of Monte Carlo simulation, the contribution from some known nearby astrophysical sources to the cosmic-ray electron/positron spectra at high energy (≥10GeV). The background to the electron energy spectrum from distant sources is determined with the help of the GALPROP code. The obtained numerical results are compared with a set of experimental data.

The GAMMA-400 Space Experiment: Gammas, Electrons and Nuclei Measurements

The present design of the new space gamma-ray telescope GAMMA-400 for the energy range 50 MeV–3 TeV is presented. The proposed instrument has an angular resolution of 1–2 degrees at E(γ)∼100MeV and ∼0.01 degrees at E(γ)>100GeV and an energy resolution ∼1% at E(γ)>100GeV. By means of a deep segmented calorimeter high energy electron flux can be studied, with a proton rejection factor of about 106. The GAMMA-400 experiment is optimized to address a broad range of science topics, such as search for signatures of dark matter, studies of galactic and extragalactic gamma-ray sources, galactic and extragalactic diffuse emission, gamma-ray bursts, as well as high-precision measurements of spectra of high energy electrons, protons and nuclei up to the knee.

Surface waves and electron acceleration from high-power, kilojoule-class laser interactions with underdense plasma

Experiments were performed on the Omega EP laser facility to study laser pulse propagation, channeling phenomena and electron acceleration from high-intensity, high-power laser interactions with underdense plasma. A CH plasma plume was used as the underdense target and the interaction of the laser pulse channeling through the plasma was imaged using proton radiography. High-energy electron spectra were measured for different experimental laser parameters. Structures observed along the channel walls are interpreted as having developed from surface waves, which are likely to serve as an injection mechanism of electrons into the cavitated channel for acceleration via direct laser acceleration mechanisms. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations give good agreement with these channeling and electron acceleration phenomena.

Muon decay in orbit: Spectrum of high-energy electrons

Experimental searches for lepton-flavor-violating coherent muon-to-electron conversion in the field of a nucleus, have been proposed to reach the unprecedented sensitivity of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ per stopped muon. At that level, they probe new interactions at effective-mass scales well beyond 1000 TeV. However, they must contend with background from ordinary bound muon decay. To better understa560nd the background-spectrum shape and rate, we have carried out a detailed analysis of Coulombic-bound-state muon decay, including nuclear recoil. Implications for future experiments are briefly discussed.

A possible correlation between the high-energy electron spectrum and the cosmic ray secondary-to-primary ratios

Recent observations of high energy cosmic-ray electrons by the Fermi-LAT and the HESS experiments between $20$ GeV and $5$ TeV have found that the energy spectrum closely follow a broken power-law with a break at around $1$ TeV. On the other hand, measurements of cosmic-ray secondary-to-primary ratios like the boron-to-carbon ratio seem to indicate a possible change in the slope at energies around $100$ GeV/n. In this paper, we discuss one possible explanation for the observed break in the electron spectrum and its possible correlation with the flattening in the secondary-to-primary ratios at higher energies. In our model, we assume that cosmic-rays after acceleration by supernova remnant shock waves, escape downstream of the shock and remain confined within the remnant until the shock slows down. During this time, the high-energy electrons suffer from radiative energy losses and the cosmic-ray nuclei undergo nuclear fragmentations due to their interactions with the matter. Once the cosmic-rays are released from the supernova remnants, they follow diffusive propagation in the Galaxy where they further suffer from radiative or fragmentation losses.

Fermi gamma-ray space telescope: Science highlights for the first 8 months

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope was launched on June 11, 2008 and since August 2008 has successfully been conducting routine science observations of high energy phenomena in the gamma-ray sky. A number of exciting discoveries have been made during its first year of operation, including blazar flares, high-energy gamma-ray bursts, and numerous new gamma-ray sources of different types, among them pulsars and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Fermi-LAT also performed accurate measurement of the diffuse gamma-radiation which clarifies the “GeV excess” reported by EGRET almost 10 years ago, high precision measurement of the high energy electron spectrum, and other observations. An overview of the observatory status and recent results as of April 30, 2009, are presented.

Measurement of the high-energy electron and positron spectrum in the PAMELA experiment

The PAMELA magnetic spectrometer onboard the Resurs DK1 satellite no. 1 was put into (Earth) orbit on June 15, 2006; measurements continue at the present time. The scientific objective of the spectrometer is the study of antiproton, proton, positron, electron and light nucleus fluxes in cosmic rays. In this paper, we present the technique for measuring electron and positron spectra in the energy range from 20 to 800 GeV.