2,244 research outputs found
X-ray and UV correlation in the quiescent emission of Cen X-4, evidence of accretion and reprocessing
We conducted the first long-term (60 days), multiwavelength (optical,
ultraviolet, and X-ray) simultaneous monitoring of Cen X-4 with daily Swift
observations, with the goal of understanding variability in the low mass X-ray
binary Cen X-4 during quiescence. We found Cen X-4 to be highly variable in all
energy bands on timescales from days to months, with the strongest quiescent
variability a factor of 22 drop in the X-ray count rate in only 4 days. The
X-ray, UV and optical (V band) emission are correlated on timescales down to
less than 110 s. The shape of the correlation is a power law with index gamma
about 0.2-0.6. The X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a hydrogen NS atmosphere
(kT=59-80 eV) and a power law (with spectral index Gamma=1.4-2.0), with the
spectral shape remaining constant as the flux varies. Both components vary in
tandem, with each responsible for about 50% of the total X-ray flux, implying
that they are physically linked. We conclude that the X-rays are likely
generated by matter accreting down to the NS surface. Moreover, based on the
short timescale of the correlation, we also unambiguously demonstrate that the
UV emission can not be due to either thermal emission from the stream impact
point, or a standard optically thick, geometrically thin disc. The spectral
energy distribution shows a small UV emitting region, too hot to arise from the
accretion disk, that we identified as a hot spot on the companion star.
Therefore, the UV emission is most likely produced by reprocessing from the
companion star, indeed the vertical size of the disc is small and can only
reprocess a marginal fraction of the X-ray emission. We also found the
accretion disc in quiescence to likely be UV faint, with a minimal contribution
to the whole UV flux.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Proc. Int. Conf. Physics at the
Magnetospheric Boundary, Geneva, Switzerland (25-28 June, 2013
Daily, multiwavelength Swift monitoring of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary Cen X-4: evidence for accretion and reprocessing during quiescence
We conducted the first long-term (60 days), multiwavelength (optical,
ultraviolet, and X-ray) simultaneous monitoring of Cen X-4 with daily Swift
observations from June to August 2012, with the goal of understanding
variability in the low mass X-ray binary Cen X-4 during quiescence. We found
Cen X-4 to be highly variable in all energy bands on timescales from days to
months, with the strongest quiescent variability a factor of 22 drop in the
X-ray count rate in only 4 days. The X-ray, UV and optical (V band) emission
are correlated on timescales down to less than 110 s. The shape of the
correlation is a power law with index gamma about 0.2-0.6. The X-ray spectrum
is well fitted by a hydrogen NS atmosphere (kT=59-80 eV) and a power law (with
spectral index Gamma=1.4-2.0), with the spectral shape remaining constant as
the flux varies. Both components vary in tandem, with each responsible for
about 50% of the total X-ray flux, implying that they are physically linked. We
conclude that the X-rays are likely generated by matter accreting down to the
NS surface. Moreover, based on the short timescale of the correlation, we also
unambiguously demonstrate that the UV emission can not be due to either thermal
emission from the stream impact point, or a standard optically thick,
geometrically thin disc. The spectral energy distribution shows a small UV
emitting region, too hot to arise from the accretion disk, that we identified
as a hot spot on the companion star. Therefore, the UV emission is most likely
produced by reprocessing from the companion star, indeed the vertical size of
the disc is small and can only reprocess a marginal fraction of the X-ray
emission. We also found the accretion disc in quiescence to likely be UV faint,
with a minimal contribution to the whole UV flux.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, 4 table
Dark Matter investigation by DAMA at Gran Sasso
Experimental observations and theoretical arguments at Galaxy and larger
scales have suggested that a large fraction of the Universe is composed by Dark
Matter particles. This has motivated the DAMA experimental efforts to
investigate the presence of such particles in the galactic halo by exploiting a
model independent signature and very highly radiopure set-ups deep underground.
Few introductory arguments are summarized before presenting a review of the
present model independent positive results obtained by the DAMA/NaI and
DAMA/LIBRA set-ups at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN.
Implications and model dependent comparisons with other different kinds of
results will be shortly addressed. Some arguments put forward in literature
will be confuted.Comment: review article, 71 pages, 25 figures, 8 tables; v2: minor
modifications. In publication on the International Journal of Modern Physics
No role for neutrons, muons and solar neutrinos in the DAMA annual modulation results
This paper summarizes in a simple and intuitive way why the neutrons, the
muons and the solar neutrinos cannot give any significant contribution to the
DAMA annual modulation results. A number of these elements have already been
presented in individual papers; they are recalled here. Afterwards, few simple
considerations are summarized which already demonstrate the incorrectness of
the claim reported in PRL 113 (2014) 081302.Comment: 11 pages, 1 tabl
Investigating Earth shadowing effect with DAMA/LIBRA-phase1
In the present paper the results obtained in the investigation of possible
diurnal effects for low-energy single-hit scintillation events of
DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 (1.04 ton yr exposure) have been analysed in terms
of an effect expected in case of Dark Matter (DM) candidates inducing nuclear
recoils and having high cross-section with ordinary matter, which implies low
DM local density in order to fulfill the DAMA/LIBRA DM annual modulation
results. This effect is due to the different Earth depths crossed by those DM
candidates during the sidereal day.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures, 1 table; in publication on Eur. Phys. J.
Model independent result on possible diurnal effect in DAMA/LIBRA-phase1
The results obtained in the search for possible diurnal effect in the
single-hit low energy data collected by DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 (total exposure: 1.04
ton x yr) deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of the
I.N.F.N. are presented. At the present level of sensitivity the presence of any
significant diurnal variation and of diurnal time structures in the data can be
excluded for both the cases of solar and sidereal time. In particular, the
diurnal modulation amplitude expected, because of the Earth diurnal motion, on
the basis of the DAMA Dark Matter annual modulation results is below the
present sensitivity.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables; in publication on Eur. Phys. J.
Final model independent result of DAMA/LIBRA-phase1
The results obtained with the total exposure of 1.04 ton x yr collected by
DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS)
of the I.N.F.N. during 7 annual cycles (i.e. adding a further 0.17 ton x yr
exposure) are presented. The DAMA/LIBRA-phase1 data give evidence for the
presence of Dark Matter (DM) particles in the galactic halo, on the basis of
the exploited model independent DM annual modulation signature by using highly
radio-pure NaI(Tl) target, at 7.5 sigma C.L.. Including also the first
generation DAMA/NaI experiment (cumulative exposure 1.33 ton x yr,
corresponding to 14 annual cycles), the C.L. is 9.3 sigma and the modulation
amplitude of the single-hit events in the (2-6) keV energy interval is: (0.0112
\pm 0.0012) cpd/kg/keV; the measured phase is (144 \pm 7) days and the measured
period is (0.998 \pm 0.002) yr, values well in agreement with those expected
for DM particles. No systematic or side reaction able to mimic the exploited DM
signature has been found or suggested by anyone over more than a decade.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figures, 6 tables; in publication on Eur. Phys. J.
The DAMA/LIBRA apparatus
The 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) DAMA/LIBRA apparatus, running at
the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of the I.N.F.N., is described.Comment: 37 pages, 27 figure
Particle Dark Matter and DAMA/LIBRA
The DAMA/LIBRA set-up (about 250 kg highly radiopure NaI(Tl) sensitive mass)
is running at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the I.N.F.N.. The first
DAMA/LIBRA results confirm the evidence for the presence of a Dark Matter
particle component in the galactic halo, as pointed out by the former DAMA/NaI
set-up; cumulatively the data support such evidence at 8.2 sigma C.L. and
satisfy all the many peculiarities of the Dark Matter annual modulation
signature. The main aspects and prospects of this model independent
experimental approach will be outlined.Comment: Contributed paper to the Int. Conf. SciNeGHE 2009, Assisi, Italy,
October 200
- …