T. Kamae

ASCA Observation of an X-Ray/TeV Flare from the BL Lacertae Object Markarian 421

We observed the BL Lac object Mrk 421 with the X-ray satellite ASCA in 1994 as part of a multifrequency observation. The 24 hr observation was conducted 1 day after the onset of a TeV flare detected by the Whipple Observatory and detected an X-ray flare, with no apparent variability in the optical, UV, and EGRET GeV flux. The ASCA 2-10 keV flux peaked at 3.7 ? 10-10 ergs cm-2 s-1 and then decreased to 1.8 ? 10-10 ergs cm-2 s-1 with a doubling timescale of ~12 hr. The shape of the X-ray spectrum varied during the observation, such that the hard X-rays always led the soft X-rays, both in brightening and dimming of the source, with a lag of the 0.5-1 keV photons versus those in the 2-7.5 keV band of ~1 hr. The rapid TeV variability indicates a compact TeV-producing region, suggesting relativistic beaming with a Doppler factor ? ? 5. The correlation of the flux in the X-ray and the TeV bands indicates that a high-energy tail of a single electron population is responsible for both X-rays and TeV ?-rays, with radio, IR, UV and X-rays produced via the synchrotron process and GeV and TeV ?-rays produced via Comptonization. Under the assumption that the soft lag observed in the X-ray band is due to the synchrotron-lifetime effects, with ? = 5, we calculate the magnetic field for the X-ray-producing region to be ~0.2 G. The Lorentz factors ?el of the electrons responsible for the emission in the keV and TeV bands are ~106, consistent with the values implied by the Klein-Nishina limit.

Development of the HXD-II wide-band all-sky monitor onboard Astro-E2

The hard X-ray detector (HXD-II) is one of the three scientific instruments onboard Japanese X-ray astronomy satellite Astro-E2 scheduled to be launched in 2005. This mission is very unique in a point of having a lower background than any other past missions in the 10-600 keV range. In the HXD-II, the large and thick BGO crystals are used as active shields for particle and gamma-ray background to the main detector. They have a wide field of view of ~2pi and a large effective area of 400 cm2 even at 1 MeV. Hence, the BGO shields have been developed as a wide-band all-sky monitor (WAM) with a broadband coverage of 50-5000 keV. In this paper, overall design and performance of the HXD-II/WAM based on the results of preflight calibration tests carried out in June 2004 are described. By irradiating various radio isotopes with the WAM flight model, we verified that it had comparable capabilities with other gamma-ray burst detectors

A new method to measure energy, direction, and polarization of gamma rays

Abstract A new method to measure the energy, direction, and polarization of gamma rays in the sub-MeV to few MeV range is proposed. We found that the first Compton scattering of the gamma-ray energy degrading process can be correctly reconstructed with a high probability if energies and positions of recoil electrons are recorded with 4–10 keV (rms) and ∼ 1 × 1 × 1 mm 3 for the first 4–5 steps. If a silicon detector stack is used, we get an angular resolution of about 1° (rms) per gamma ray without collimators. We have started development work to make such a device using 2-dimensional silicon strip detectors.

Improvements of the astro-E2 hard X-ray detector (HXD-II)

We summarize significant improvements which have been achieved in the development of Astro-E2 Hard X-ray Detector (HXD-II). An expanded energy range and better energy resolution have been achieved from progresses in device materials and redesigning of the front-end electronics. An improved estimation for the detector background in orbit has also been conducted based upon results from our proton irradiation experiment. The sensitivity of HXD-II can be expected to reach an order of 10/sup -6/ [cs/sup -1/ keV/sup -1/ cm/sup -2/].

Prospects for GRB Science with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The Large Area Telescope (LAT) instrument on the Fermi mission will reveal the rich spectral and temporal gamma-ray burst (GRB) phenomena in the >100 MeV band. The synergy with Fermis Gamma-ray Burst Monitor detectors will link these observations to those in the well explored 10-1000 keV range; the addition of the >100 MeV band observations will resolve theoretical uncertainties about burst emission in both the prompt and afterglow phases. Trigger algorithms will be applied to the LAT data both onboard the spacecraft and on the ground. The sensitivity of these triggers will differ because of the available computing resources onboard and on the ground. Here we present the LATs burst detection methodologies and the instruments GRB capabilities.

The TOPAZ Time Projection Chamber

Abstract A Time Projection Chamber (TPC) is under construction for the TOPAZ e + e − experiment at TRISTAN. The dimension of the TPC is 260 cm in diameter and 300 cm in axial length. Fin-type fine field cages are set inside GFRP insulator cylinders which also serve as the pressure container. The sector is made of multilayer G10 boards for better electric and thermal isolation. The cathode pads are substantially larger in area than those of the PEP4-TPC and having zigzag-shaped boundary. These serve to maintain high spatial resolution with fewer number of pad channels. Signals are amplified by low noise preamplifiers and shaping amplifiers, and, stored and digitized by FASTBUS based CCD-digitizers. Digitized information is preprocessed and sent to VAX 11/780 at a rate 2 MHz per 32 bit word. Nitrogen LASER beam will be used extensively with the LASER beacon system for calibration. Test results on production prototypes are also reported.

Detection of Magnetospheric X-Ray Pulsation from the Millisecond Pulsar B1821–24

We report the first clear detection of X-ray pulsation of magnetospheric origin from a millisecond pulsar, PSR B1821-24, with the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics. The photon arrival time shows a periodicity of 3.05 ms period, as observed in the radio band. The observed X-ray pulse is double peaked. The pulses are characterized by a sharp temporal profile and hard power-law spectrum with a phase-averaged photon index of ~1.9. These two features are quite similar to the X-ray/γ-ray pulses from the Crab pulsar and characteristic of the nonthermal emission from the magnetosphere of the neutron star, but contradictory to the thermal emission from its surface. Since this pulsar has physical parameters completely different from those of young pulsars, we expect these observations to provide significant constraints on models of pulsar magnetospheric emission, which have been developed mostly based on the observations of young pulsars.

Hard X-Ray Emission from the Galactic Ridge

Hard X-ray and γ-ray emissions from the Galactic ridge were studied with the large area proportional counter (LAC) on the Ginga satellite and a balloon-borne detector Welcome-1. In the scanning observations with the LAC, diffuse hard X-rays were detected along the Galactic plane between l = -20° and l = 40°. The measured spectrum shows that a hard component exists in the Galactic ridge emission above 10 keV, in addition to the hot plasma component. The estimated luminosity of the Galactic ridge emission is around 2 × 1038 ergs s-1 in the 3-16 keV band. Welcome-1 observed the γ-ray ridge emission at around l ~ 345° between 50 and 600 keV. These two results and a recent COMPTEL study suggest that the spectrum of the diffuse Galactic ridge emission extends over the keV-MeV range. From the observed spectral slope, bremsstrahlung by electrons is shown to be the dominant emission mechanism. This implies that low-energy electrons must be supplied continuously to sustain emission in the hard X-ray band. We propose a scenario in which the thermal electrons in the hot plasma responsible for the strong Fe K X-ray emission are shock-accelerated continuously in supernova remnants (SNRs), producing the observed hard X-ray and γ-ray emissions from the Galactic ridge.

Cosmic-Ray Background Flux Model based on a Gamma-Ray Large-Area Space Telescope Balloon Flight Engineering Model

Cosmic-ray background fluxes were modeled on the basis of existing measurements and theories and are presented here. The model, originally developed for the Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) balloon experiment, covers the entire solid angle (4π sr), the sensitive energy range of the instrument (~10 MeV to 100 GeV), and the abundant components (proton, alpha particle, e-, e+, μ-, μ+, and gamma ray). It is expressed in analytic functions in which modulations due to solar activity and the Earths geomagnetism are parameterized. Although the model is intended to be used primarily for the GLAST balloon experiment, model functions in low Earth orbit are also presented and can be used for other high-energy astrophysical missions. The model has been validated via comparison with the data of the GLAST balloon experiment.

Prototype design of multiple Compton gamma-ray camera

It has been found that the first Compton scattering of the gamma-ray energy-degrading process can be correctly reconstructed with a high probability if energies and positions of recoil electrons are recorded within a few keV (RMS) and equivalent to 1*1*1 mm/sup 3/ for the first four to five steps. Such a device called the multiple Compton gamma-ray camera, can be used to measure the energy, direction, and polarization of gamma rays in the sub-MeV to a few MeV range. The design of a prototype optimized to 150-600-keV gamma rays is presented. Monte Carlo studies of the design predict a high-detection efficiency, a high polarization analyzing power, and a reasonable angular resolution without collimators. >