High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE)

Abstract: The gravitational waves (GW) from core-collapse supernovae (CCSN) have been proposed as a probe to investigate physical properties inside of the supernova. However, how to search and extract the GW signals from core-collapse supernovae remains an open question due to its complicated time-frequency structure. In this paper, we applied the Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD) method to decompose and reconstruct simulated GW data generated by magnetorotational mechanism and neutrino-driven mechanism within the advanced LIGO, using the match score as the criterion for assessing the quality of the reconstruction. The results indicate that by decomposing the data, the sum of the first six intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) can be used as the reconstructed waveform. To determine the probability that our reconstructed waveform corresponds to a real GW waveform, we calculated the false alarm probability of reconstruction (FAPR). By setting the threshold of the match score to be 0.75, we obtained FAPR of GW sources at a distance of 5 kpc and 10 kpc to be $1\times10^{-2}$ and $3\times10^{-2}$ respectively. If we normalize the maximum amplitude of the GW signal to $5\times10^{-21}$, the FAPR at this threshold is $4\times10^{-3}$. Furthermore, in our study, the reconstruction distance is not equivalent to the detection distance. When the strain of GW reaches $7 \times 10^{-21}$, and the match score threshold is set at 0.75, we can reconstruct GW waveform up to approximately 37 kpc.

Abstract: The merger of supermassive black holes (BBH) produces mHz gravitational waves (GW), which are potentially detectable by future Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Such binary systems are usually embedded in an accretion disk environment at the centre of the active galactic nuclei (AGN). Recent studies suggest the plasma environment imposes measurable imprints on the GW signal if the mass ratio of the binary is around q $ \sim10^{-4}-10^{-3}$. The effect of the gaseous environment on the GW signal is strongly dependent on the disk's parameters, therefore it is believed that future low-frequency GW detections will provide us with precious information about the physics of AGN accretion disks. We investigate this effect by measuring the disk torques on the binary system by modelling several magnetized tori. Using GRMHD HARM-COOL code, we perform 2D simulations of weakly-magnetized thin accretion disks, with a possible truncation and transition to advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). In our numerical simulations, we study the angular momentum transport and turbulence generated by the magnetorotational instability (MRI). We quantify the disk's effective alpha viscosity and its evolution over time. We apply our numerical results to estimate the relativistic viscous torque and GW phase shift due to the gas environment.

Abstract: Resolving individual gravitational waves from tens of millions of double white dwarf (DWD) binaries in the Milky Way is a challenge for future space-based gravitational wave detection programs. By using previous data to define the priors for the next search, we propose an accelerated approach of searching the DWD binaries and demonstrate its efficiency based on the GBSIEVER detection pipeline. Compared to the traditional GBSIEVER method, our method can obtain $\sim 50\%$ of sources with 2.5\% of the searching time for LDC1-4 data. In addition, we find that both methods have a similar ability to detect the Milky Way structure by their confirmed sources. The relative error of distance and chirp mass is about 20\% for DWD binaries whose gravitational wave frequency is higher than $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz, even if they are close to the Galactic center. Finally, we propose a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) threshold for LISA to confirm the detection of DWD binaries. The threshold should be 16 when the gravitational wave frequency is lower than $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz and 9 when the frequency range is from $4\times10^{-3}$ Hz to $1.5\times10^{-2}$ Hz.

Abstract: This chapter discusses three nucleosynthesis processes involved in producing heavy nuclei beyond the iron group that are influenced or shaped by neutrino interactions: the v process, the vp process and the r process. These processes are all related to explosive events involving compact objects, such as core-collapse supernovae and binary neutron star mergers, where an abundant amount of neutrinos are emitted. The interactions of the neutrinos with nucleons and nuclei through both charged-current and neutral-current reactions play a crucial role in the nucleosynthesis processes. During the propagation of neutrinos inside the nucleosynthesis sites, neutrinos may undergo flavor oscillations that can also potentially affect the nucleosynthesis yields. Here we provide a general overview of the possible effects of neutrinos and neutrino flavor conversions on these three heavy-element nucleosynthesis processes.

Abstract: Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are extragalactic radio transients with extremely high brightness temperature, which strongly suggests the presence of coherent emission mechanisms. In this study, we introduce a novel radiation mechanism for FRBs involving coherent Cherenkov radiation (ChR) emitted by bunched particles that may originate within the magnetosphere of a magnetar. We assume that some relativistic particles are emitted from the polar cap of a magnetar and move along magnetic field lines through a charge-separated magnetic plasma, emitting coherent ChR along their trajectory. The crucial condition for ChR to occur is that the refractive index of the plasma medium, denoted as $n_r$, must satisfy the condition $n_r^2 > 1$. We conduct comprehensive calculations to determine various characteristics of ChR, including its characteristic frequency, emission power, required parallel electric field, and coherence factor. Notably, our proposed bunched coherent ChR mechanism has the remarkable advantage of generating a narrower-band spectrum. Furthermore, a frequency downward drifting pattern, and $\sim100\%$ linearly polarized emission can be predicted within the framework of this emission mechanism.

Abstract: MCG-5-23-16 is a Seyfert 1.9 galaxy at redshift z=0.00849. We analyse here the X-ray spectra obtained with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR data, which are the first contemporaneous observations with these two X-ray telescopes. Two reflection features, producing a narrow core and a broad component of the Fe K$\alpha$, are clearly detected in the data. The analysis of the broad iron line shows evidence of a truncated disc with inner radius $R_{\rm in}=40^{+23}_{-16}$ $R_g$ and an inclination of $41^{+9}_{-10}$ $^\circ$. The high quality of the NuSTAR observations allows us to measure a high energy cut-off at $E_{\rm cut}=131^{+10}_{-9}$ keV. We also analyse the RGS spectrum, finding that the soft X-ray emission is produced by two photoionised plasma emission regions, with different ionisation parameters and similar column densities. Remarkably, the source only shows moderate continuum flux variability, keeping the spectral shape roughly constant in a time scale of $\sim20$ years.

Abstract: Electrons and positrons produced in dark matter annihilation can generate secondary emission through synchrotron and IC processes, and such secondary emission provides a possible means to detect DM particles with masses beyond the detector's energy band. The secondary emission of heavy dark matter (HDM) particles in the TeV-PeV mass range lies within the Fermi-LAT energy band. In this paper, we utilize the Fermi-LAT observations of dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies to search for annihilation signals of HDM particles. We consider the propagation of $e^+/e^-$ produced by DM annihilation within the dSphs, derive the electron spectrum of the equilibrium state by solving the propagation equation, and then compute the gamma-ray signals produced by the $e^+/e^-$ population through the IC and synchrotron processes. We do not detect any significant HDM signal. By assuming a magnetic field strength of $B=1\,{\rm \mu G}$ and a diffusion coefficient of $D_0 = 3\times10^{28}\,{\rm cm^{2}s^{-1}}$ of the dSphs, we place limits on the annihilation cross section for HDM particles. Our results are weaker than the previous limits given by the VERITAS observations of dSphs, but are comparable to those derived from the IceCube observations of dSphs. As a complement, we also search for the prompt $\gamma$-rays produced by DM annihilation and give limits on the cross section in the 10-$10^5$ GeV mass range. Consequently, in this paper we obtain the upper limits on the DM annihilation cross section for a very wide mass range from 10 GeV to 100 PeV in a unified framework of the Fermi-LAT data analysis.

Abstract: High-energy neutrinos originating in astrophysical sources should be accompanied by gamma-rays at production. Depending on the properties of the emission environment and the distance of the source to the Earth, these gamma-rays may be observed directly, or through the detection of lower energy photons that result from interactions with the intervening radiation fields. In this work, we present an automated tool that aims at using data from the Fermi-Large Area Telescope to identify multiwavelength counterparts to astrophysical neutrino events. The main goal of this tool is to enable prompt follow-up observations with ground-based and space-based observatories in order to help pinpoint the neutrino source.

Abstract: Operating since 2004, the Pierre Auger Observatory has led to major advances in our 8 understanding of the ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. The latest findings have revealed new insights 9 that led to the upgrade of the Observatory, with the primary goal of obtaining information on the 10 primary mass of the most energetic cosmic rays on a shower-by-shower basis. In the framework of the 11 upgrade, called AugerPrime, the 1660 water-Cherenkov detectors of the surface array are equipped 12 with plastic scintillators and radio antennas, allowing us to enhance the composition sensitivity. 13 To accommodate new detectors and to increase experimental capabilities, the electronics is also 14 upgraded. This includes better timing with up-to-date GPS receivers, higher sampling frequency, 15 increased dynamic range, and more powerful local processing of the data. In this paper, the design 16 characteristics of the new electronics and the enhanced dynamic range will be described. The 17 manufacturing and test processes will be outlined and the test results will be discussed. The 18 calibration of the SD detector and various performance parameters obtained from the analysis of 19 the first commissioning data will also be presented.

Abstract: A fast radio burst (FRB) localized to a globular cluster (GC) challenges FRB models involving ordinary young magnetars. In this paper, we examine the rapid spindown millisecond neutron star (NS) scenario, which favours the dynamic environment in GCs. Fast spindown corresponds to a larger magnetic field than regular millisecond pulsars, which empirically favours giant pulse (GP) emission. The kinetic energy in millisecond NSs can readily exceed the magnetic energy in magnetars. The high inferred isotropic luminosity of most FRBs is challenging to explain in spin-down powered pulsars. A recent observation of a GP from the Crab pulsar, on the other hand, suggests highly Doppler-beamed emission, making the required energy orders of magnitude smaller than estimated with isotropic assumptions. Considering this strong beaming effect, GPs from a recycled pulsar with a modest magnetic field could explain the energetics and burst rates for a wide range of FRBs. The short life span accounts for a paucity of bright FRBs in the Milky Way neighbourhood. We point out that tidal disruption spin-up from a main sequence star can provide sufficient accretion rate to recycle a NS with mild magnetic field. It can also explain the observed source density and the spatial offset in the GC for FRB 20200120E. Frequency variation in the scattering tail for some of the brightest FRBs is expected in this scenario.

Abstract: In this study, Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) are skilfully applied to explore a diverse range of pulsar magneto-spheric models, specifically focusing on axisymmetric cases. The study successfully reproduced various axisymmetric models found in the literature, including those with non-dipolar configurations, while effectively characterizing current sheet features. Energy losses in all studied models were found to exhibit reasonable similarity, differing by no more than a factor of three from the classical dipole case. This research lays the groundwork for a reliable elliptic Partial Differential Equation solver tailored for astrophysical problems. Based on these findings, we foresee that the utilization of PINNs will become the most efficient approach in modelling three-dimensional magnetospheres. This methodology shows significant potential and facilitates an effortless generalization, contributing to the advancement of our understanding of pulsar magnetospheres.