Important notice
The course guide is provisional.
The PDF version of the course guide may take a few days to become available in the DDD.
High Energy Astrophysics
Code: 42856Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| High Energy Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology | OP | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Alessandro Patruno
- Email :
- alessandro.patruno@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Abelardo Moralejo Olaizola
- Alessandro Patruno
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
It is mandatory to have followed the course of Introduction to the Physics of the Cosmos. It is also recommended - but not mandatory - to have followed the Observational Techniques course.
Objectives
Students should become familiar with the basics of High Energy Astrophysics, not only with respect to the sources and astrophysical processes that produce X rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays in our universe, but also with the instruments that detect these photons / particles. The course is divided into three blocks. The first part is a theoretical description of the main processes of interaction of matter and radiation in the X- and gamma-ray energy domain. The second one describes the detectors that are currently operating, those under construction and those being designed. The third and final block presents the phenomenology of several cosmic sources of X rays, gamma rays, cosmic rays that have been observed so far.
Learning outcomes
- CA14 (To adapt knowledge about the physics of cosmic radiation to new situations in high-energy astrophysics.) To adapt knowledge about the physics of cosmic radiation to new situations in high-energy astrophysics.
- KA22 (Identify the physical processes responsible for the emission, propagation and absorption of cosmic radiation (charged particles, photons and neutrinos).) Identify the physical processes responsible for the emission, propagation and absorption of cosmic radiation (charged particles, photons and neutrinos).
- SA51 (Apply the physical processes responsible for the emission, propagation and absorption of cosmic radiation (charged particles, photons and neutrinos).) Apply the physical processes responsible for the emission, propagation and absorption of cosmic radiation (charged particles, photons and neutrinos).
- SA52 (Compare the different types of cosmic radiation detectors.) Compare the different types of cosmic radiation detectors.
- SA53 (Analyze the different types of cosmic radiation detectors.) Analyze the different types of cosmic radiation detectors.
- SA54 (Analyze the different sources of cosmic radiation.) Analyze the different sources of cosmic radiation.
- SA55 (Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into the key concepts of high-energy astrophysics.) Use bibliographic tools, online and in English, to delve into the key concepts of high-energy astrophysics.
Contents
Outline of the Course
1.Introduction. Physical processes
Production of high-energy (X- and gamma-ray energy range) photons and cosmic rays.
Particle acceleration in the universe.
2. Observation methods
X- and gamma-ray instrumentation from space and ground-based. Cosmic-ray detectors.
Neutrino astronomy. Direct dark matter detection techniques.
3. The high-energy sky
Accretion-powered sources: white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes in binaries. Active galactic nuclei.
Nova and supernova explosions. Supernova remnants, pulsars and pulsar wind nebulae
Gamma-ray emission related to nucleosynthesis. Diffuse and line emission
Gamma-ray emission related to matter anti - matter annihilation
Gamma-Ray Bursts
Cosmic rays: origin and propagation; possible acceleration sites
Gamma rays as probes of the intergalactic medium (extragalactic background light, magnetic fields)
4. Multi-messenger astronomy, fundamental physics aspects
Evidence for dark matter. Direct and indirect dark matter searches, possible candidates and signatures. Current limits from multi-messenger astronomy.
Tests of Lorentz invariance with multi-messenger observations.
Search for axion-like particles through cosmic- and gamma-ray propagation anomalies.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework: study, check of the lecture notes and slides | 65 | 2.6 | |
| Lectures | 45 | 1.8 | |
| Oral presentation on a topic, based on a paper and associated references | 35 | 1.4 |
Theory lectures.
Classwork and homework.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attendance and active participation to the lectures | 10% | 0 | 0 | CA14, KA22, SA51, SA52, SA53, SA54 |
| Oral presentation of a research topic | 45% | 1 | 0.04 | CA14, KA22, SA51, SA52, SA53, SA54, SA55 |
| Final exam | 45% | 4 | 0.16 | CA14, KA22, SA51, SA52, SA53, SA54 |
Attendance to the lectures and active participation (e.g., asking questions) will be tracked
One final exam covering all the topics will be done (with a tentative duration of 2.5 hours).
Individual work on a research topic, based on a paper provided by the teachers and on the associated references found by the student, is required. A written report and its oral presentation, followed by a discussion with the panel (teachers of the master), should be done.
In case of failure, there will be the opportunity to pass the course with a new exam and / or the defense of a new essay; the threshold score to have the opportunity to recover is 3/10.
This subject/module does not foresee the single assessment system.
Model 2 - Restricted Use: For this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively in support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text correction or translations and creation of illustrations for the presentation. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated with this technology, specify the tools used and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. The lack of transparency of the use of AI in this assessable activity will be considered a lack of academic honesty and may lead to a partial or total penalty in the grade of the activity, or greater sanctions in serious cases.
Bibliography
- Radiation Detection and Measurement, Glenn F. Knoll, Wiley, NJ, USA (2000)
- Exploring the X-ray Universe, Philip A. Charles, Frederick D. Seward, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK (1995)
- Radiative Processes in Astrophysics, Rybicki, G. B. and Lightman, A. P., Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, Germany (1985)
- Very high energy cosmic gamma radiation : a crucial window on the extreme Universe, F. A. Aharonian, River Edge, NJ: World Scientific Publishing (2004)
- Accretion power in Astrophysics\", J. Frank, A. King, D. Raine, Cambridge University Press (3rd Edition, 2002)
- High Energy Astrophysics\", M.S. Longair, Cambridge University Press (2011) (also available as EBOOK)
Software
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Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | second semester | morning-mixed |