J. Bregeon

On possible interpretations of the high energy electron–positron spectrum measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The Fermi-LAT experiment recently reported high precision measurements of the spectrum of cosmic-ray electrons-plus-positrons (CRE) between 20 GeV and 1 TeV. The spectrum shows no prominent spectral features, and is significantly harder than that inferred from several previous experiments. Here we discuss several interpretations of the Fermi results based either on a single large scale Galactic CRE component or by invoking additional electron–positron primary sources, e.g. nearby pulsars or particle dark matter annihilation. We show that while the reported Fermi-LAT data alone can be interpreted in terms of a single component scenario, when combined with other complementary experimental results, specifically the CRE spectrum measured by H.E.S.S. and especially the positron fraction reported by PAMELA between 1 and 100 GeV, that class of models fails to provide a consistent interpretation. Rather, we find that several combinations of parameters, involving both the pulsar and dark matter scenarios, allow a consistent description of those results. We also briefly discuss the possibility of discriminating between the pulsar and dark matter interpretations by looking for a possible anisotropy in the CRE flux.

IDENTIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF THE PHOTOSPHERIC EMISSION IN GRB090902B

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope observed the bright and long GRB090902B, lying at a redshift of z = 1.822. Together the Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) cover th ...

Fermi LAT Search for Photon Lines from 30 to 200 GeV

Dark matter (DM) particle annihilation or decay can produce monochromatic gamma rays readily distinguishable from astrophysical sources. gamma-ray line limits from 30 to 200 GeV obtained from 11 months of Fermi Large Area Space Telescope data from 20-300 GeV are presented using a selection based on requirements for a gamma-ray line analysis, and integrated over most of the sky. We obtain gamma-ray line flux upper limits in the range 0.6-4.5x10{-9} cm{-2} s{-1}, and give corresponding DM annihilation cross-section and decay lifetime limits. Theoretical implications are briefly discussed.

FERMI LARGE AREA TELESCOPE STUDY OF COSMIC RAYS AND THE INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM IN NEARBY MOLECULAR CLOUDS

We report an analysis of the interstellar γ -ray emission from the Chamaeleon, R Coronae Australis (R CrA), and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. They are among the nearest molecular cloud complexes, within ∼300 pc from the solar system. The γ -ray emission produced by interactions of cosmic rays (CRs) and interstellar gas in those molecular clouds is useful to study the CR densities and distributions of molecular gas close to the solar system. The obtained γ -ray emissivities above 250 MeV are (5.9 ± 0.1stat +0.9 −1.0sys) × 10−27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1, (10.2 ± 0.4stat +1.2 −1.7sys) × 10−27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1, and (9.1 ± 0.3stat +1.5 −0.6sys) × 10−27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively. Whereas the energy dependences of the emissivities agree well with that predicted from direct CR observations at the Earth, the measured emissivities from 250 MeV to 10 GeV indicate a variation of the CR density by ∼20% in the neighborhood of the solar system, even if we consider systematic uncertainties. The molecular mass calibrating ratio, XCO = N(H2)/WCO, is found to be (0.96 ± 0.06stat +0.15 −0.12sys) × 1020 H2-molecule cm−2 (K km s−1)−1, (0.99 ± 0.08stat +0.18 −0.10sys) × 1020 H2-molecule cm−2 (K km s−1)−1, and (0.63 ± 0.02stat +0.09 −0.07sys) × 1020 H2-molecule cm−2 (K km s−1)−1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively, suggesting a variation of XCO in the vicinity of the solar system. From the obtained values of XCO, the masses of molecular gas traced by WCO in the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions are estimated to be ∼5 × 103M , ∼103M , and ∼3.3 × 104M , respectively. A comparable amount of gas not traced well by standard Hi and CO surveys is found in the regions investigated.We report an analysis of the interstellar γ-ray emission from the Chamaeleon, R Coronae Australis (R CrA), and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. They are among the nearest molecular cloud complexes, within ∼ 300 pc from the solar system. The γ-ray emission produced by interactions of cosmicrays (CRs) and interstellar gas in those molecular clouds is useful to study the CR densities and distributions of molecular gas close to the solar system. The obtained γ-ray emissivities above 250 MeV are (5.9 ± 0.1stat +0.9 −1.0sys) × 10 −27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1, (10.2 ± 0.4stat +1.2 −1.7sys) × 10 −27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1, and (9.1 ± 0.3stat +1.5 −0.6sys) × 10 −27 photons s−1 sr−1 H-atom−1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively. Whereas the energy dependences of the emissivities agree well with that predicted from direct CR observations at the Earth, the measured emissivities from 250 MeV to 10 GeV indicate a variation of the CR density by ∼ 20 % in the neighborhood of the solar system, even if we consider systematic uncertainties. The molecular mass calibrating ratio, XCO = N(H2)/WCO, is found to be (0.96 ± 0.06stat +0.15 −0.12sys) ×10 20 H2-molecule cm −2 (K km s−1)−1, (0.99 ± 0.08stat +0.18 −0.10sys) ×10 20 H2-molecule cm −2 (K km s−1)−1, and (0.63 ± 0.02stat +0.09 −0.07sys) ×10 20 H2-molecule cm −2 (K km s−1)−1 for the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions, respectively, suggesting a variation of XCO in the vicinity of the solar system. From the obtained values of XCO, the masses of molecular gas traced by WCO in the Chamaeleon, R CrA, and Cepheus and Polaris flare regions are estimated to be ∼ 5×103 M⊙, ∼ 10 3 M⊙, and ∼ 3.3×10 4 M⊙, respectively. A comparable amount of gas not traced well by standard H I and CO surveys is found in the regions investigated. University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA Institut für Astround Teilchenphysik and Institut für Theoretische Physik, Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-1560, USA NYCB Real-Time Computing Inc., Lattingtown, NY 11560-1025, USA Department of Chemistry and Physics, Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN 46323-2094, USA Institut für Theoretische Physik and Astrophysik, Universität Würzburg, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Fisica Spaziale (CIFS), I-10133 Torino, Italy INTEGRAL Science Data Centre, CH-1290 Versoix, Switzerland NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, USA Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, I-00133 Roma, Italy Institut Universitaire de France, France

Cosmic-ray electron-positron spectrum from 7 GeV to 2 TeV with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

We present a measurement of the cosmic-ray electron+positron spectrum between 7 GeV and 2 TeV performed with almost seven years of data collected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We find that the spectrum is well fit by a broken power law with a break energy at about 50 GeV. Above 50 GeV, the spectrum is well described by a single power law with a spectral index of 3.07 ± 0.02 (stat+syst) ± 0.04 (energy measurement). An exponential cutoff lower than 1.8 TeV is excluded at 95% CL. PACS numbers: 98.70.Sa, 96.50.sb, 95.85.Ry, 95.55.Vj

New Fermi-LAT Event Reconstruction Reveals More High-energy Gamma Rays from Gamma-Ray Bursts

Based on the experience gained during the four and a half years of the mission, the Fermi-LAT Collaboration has undertaken a comprehensive revision of the event-level analysis going under the name ...

Low energy polarization sensitivity of the Gas Pixel Detector

An X-ray photoelectric polarimeter based on the Gas Pixel Detector has been proposed to be included in many upcoming space missions to fill the gap of about 30 years from the first (and to date only) positive measurement of polarized X-ray emission from an astrophysical source. The estimated sensitivity of the current prototype peaks at an energy of about 3 keV, but the lack of readily available polarized sources in this energy range has prevented the measurement of detector polarimetric performances. In this paper we present the measurement of the Gas Pixel Detector polarimetric sensitivity at energies of a few keV and the new, light, compact and transportable polarized source that was devised and built to this aim. Polarized photons are produced, from unpolarized radiation generated with an X-ray tube, by means of Bragg diffraction at nearly 45 ◦ . The diffraction angle is constrained with two orthogonal capillary plates, which allow good collimation with limited size thanks to the 10 µm diameter holes. Polarized photons at energy as low as a few keV can be produced with a proper choice of diffracting crystal, while the maximum energy is limited by the X-ray tube voltage, since all the orders defined by the crystal lattice spacing are diffracted. The best trade-off between reasonable fluxes and high degree of polarization can be achieved selecting the degree of collimation provided by capillary plates. The employment of mosaic graphite and flat aluminum crystals allow the production of nearly completely polarized photons at 2.6, 3.7 and 5.2 keV from the diffraction of unpolarized continuum or line emission. The measured modulation factor of the Gas Pixel Detector at these energies is in good agreement with the estimates derived from a Monte Carlo software, which was up to now employed for driving the development of the instrument and for estimating its low energy sensitivity. In this paper we present the excellent polarimetric performance of the Gas Pixel Detector at energies where the peak sensitivity is expected. These measurements not only support our previous claims of high sensitivity but confirm the feasibility of astrophysical X-ray photoelectric polarimetry.

Preliminary results of the LAT Calibration Unit beam tests

The calibration strategy of the GLAST Large Area Telescope (LAT) combines analysis of cosmic ray data with accelerator particle beams measurements. An advanced Monte Carlo simulation of the LAT, based on the Geant4 package, was set up to reproduce the LAT response to such radiation and to benchmark the event reconstruction and the background rejection strategy before launch and during operation. To validate the LAT simulation, a massive campaign of beam tests was performed between July and November 2006, in parallel with the LAT integration and test, on the LAT Calibration Unit. This is a detector built with spare flight modules and flight‐like readout electronics, which was exposed to a large variety of beams, representing the whole spectrum of the signal that will be detected by the LAT, using the CERN and the GSI accelerator facilities. Beams of photons (0 – 2.5 GeV), electrons (1 – 300 GeV), hadrons (π and p, a few GeV – 100 GeV) and ions (C; Xe, 1.5 GeV/n) were shot through the CU to measure the phys...

Fermi Large Area Telescope Observations of Markarian 421

We report on the gamma-ray activity of the high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacertae object Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) during the first 1.5 years of Fermi operation, from 2008 August 5 to 2010 March 12. We find that the Large Area Telescope (LAT) gamma-ray spectrum above 0.3 GeV can be well described by a power-law function with photon index Gamma = 1.78 +/- 0.02 and average photon flux F(>0.3 GeV) = (7.23 +/- 0.16) x 10(-8) ph cm(-2) s(-1). Over this time period, the Fermi-LAT spectrum above 0.3 GeV was evaluated on seven-day-long time intervals, showing significant variations in the photon flux (up to a factor similar to 3 from the minimum to the maximum flux) but mild spectral variations. The variability amplitude at X-ray frequencies measured by RXTE/ASM and Swift/BAT is substantially larger than that in gamma-rays measured by Fermi-LAT, and these two energy ranges are not significantly correlated. We also present the first results from the 4.5 month long multifrequency campaign on Mrk 421, which included the VLBA, Swift, RXTE, MAGIC, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments that provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign (2009 January 19 to 2009 June 1). During this campaign, Mrk 421 showed a low activity at all wavebands. The extensive multi-instrument (radio to TeV) data set provides an unprecedented, complete look at the quiescent spectral energy distribution (SED) for this source. The broadband SED was reproduced with a leptonic (one-zone synchrotron self-Compton) and a hadronic model (synchrotron proton blazar). Both frameworks are able to describe the average SED reasonably well, implying comparable jet powers but very different characteristics for the blazar emission site.We report on the γ -ray activity of the high-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacertae object Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) during the first 1.5 years of Fermi operation, from 2008 August 5 to 2010 March 12. We find that the Large Area Telescope (LAT) γ -ray spectrum above 0.3 GeV can be well described by a power-law function with photon index Γ = 1.78± 0.02 and average photon flux F (>0.3 GeV) = (7.23 ± 0.16) × 10−8 ph cm−2 s−1. Over this time period, the FermiLAT spectrum above 0.3 GeV was evaluated on seven-day-long time intervals, showing significant variations in the photon flux (up to a factor ∼3 from the minimum to the maximum flux) but mild spectral variations. The variability amplitude at X-ray frequencies measured by RXTE/ASM and Swift/BAT is substantially larger than that in γ -rays measured by Fermi-LAT, and these two energy ranges are not significantly correlated. We also present the first results from the 4.5 month long multifrequency campaign on Mrk 421, which included the VLBA, Swift, RXTE, MAGIC, the F-GAMMA, GASP-WEBT, and other collaborations and instruments that provided excellent temporal and energy coverage of the source throughout the entire campaign (2009 January 19 to 2009 June 1). During this campaign, Mrk 421 showed a low activity at all wavebands. The extensive multi-instrument (radio to TeV) data set provides an unprecedented, complete look at the quiescent spectral energy distribution (SED) for this source. The broadband SED was reproduced with a leptonic (one-zone synchrotron self-Compton) and a hadronic model (synchrotron proton blazar). Both frameworks are able to describe the average SED reasonably well, implying comparable jet powers but very different characteristics for the blazar emission site.

The tracker of the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The Large Area Telescope (LAT) is the primary instrument on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi), an orbital astronomical observatory that was launched on 11 June 2008. Its tracker is a solid-state instrument that converts the gamma rays into electron-positron pairs which it then tracks in order to measure the incoming gamma-ray direction. The tracker comprises 36 planes of single-sided silicon strip detectors, for a total of 73 square meters of silicon, read out by nearly 900,000 amplifier-discriminator channels. The system operates on only 160 W of conditioned power while achieving > 99% single-plane efficiency within its active area and better than 1 channel per million noise occupancy. We describe the trackers design and performance, and discuss in particular the excellent stability of the hardware response during the first two years of operation on orbit.