12 research outputs found
Laue diffraction lenses for astrophysics: From theory to experiments
Based on the laws of X-ray diffraction in crystals, Laue lenses offer a promising way to achieve the sensitivity and angular resolution leap required for the next generation of hard X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes. The present paper describes the instrumental responses of Laue diffraction lenses designed for nuclear astrophysics. Different possible geometries are discussed, as well as the corresponding spectral and imaging capabilities. These theoretical predictions are then compared with Monte-Carlo simulations and experimental results (ground and stratospheric observations from the CLAIRE project)
Experimental Results Obtained with the Positron-Annihilation Radiation Telescope of the Toulouse-Argonne Collaboration
We present laboratory measurements obtained with a ground-based prototype of a focusing positron-annihilation-radiation telescope developed by the Toulouse-Argonne collaboration. This balloon-borne telescope has been designed to collect 511-keV photons with an extremely low instrumental background. The telescope features a Laue diffraction lens and a detector module containing a small array of germanium detectors. It will provide a combination of high spatial and energy resolution (15 arc sec and 2 keV, respectively) with a sensitivity of {approximately}3{times}10{sup {minus}5} photons cm{sup {minus}2}s{sup {minus}1}. These features will allow us to resolve a possible narrow 511-keV line both energetically and spatially within a Galactic center ``microquasar`` or in other broad-class annihilators. The ground-based prototype consists of a crystal lens holding small cubes of diffracting germanium crystals and a 3{times}3 germanium array that detects the concentrated beam in the focal plane. Measured performances of the instrument at different line energies (511 keV and 662 keV) are presented and compared with Monte-Carlo simulations. The advantages of a 3{times}3 Ge-detector array with respect to a standard-monoblock detector have been confirmed. The results obtained in the laboratory have strengthened interest in a crystal-diffraction telescope, offering new perspectives for die future of experimental gamma-ray astronomy
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A space bourne crystal diffraction telescope for the energy range of nuclear transitions
Recent experimental work of the Toulouse-Argonne collaboration has opened for perspective of a focusing gamma-ray telescope operating in the energy range of nuclear transitions, featuring unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolution. The instrument consists of a tunable crystal diffraction lens situated on a stabilized spacecraft, focusing gamma-rays onto a small array of Germanium detectors perched on an extendible boom. While the weight of such an instrument is less than 500 kg, it features an angular resolution of 15 in., an energy resolution of 2 keV and a 3 {sigma} narrow line sensitivity of a few times 10{sup {minus}7} photons s{sup {minus}1} cm{sup {minus}2} (10{sup 6} sec observation). This instrumental concept permits observation of any identified source at any selected line-energy in a range of typically 200 keV to 1300 keV. The resulting ``sequential`` operation mode makes sites of explosive nucleosynthesis natural scientific objectives for such a telescope: the nuclear lines of extragalactic supernovae ({sup 56}Ni, {sup 44}Ti, {sup 60}Fe) and galactic novae (p{sup {minus}}p{sup +} line, {sup 7}Be) are accessible to observation, one at a time, due to the erratic appearance and the sequence of half-lifes of these events. Other scientific objectives, include the narrow 511 keV line from galactic broad class annihilators (such as 1E1740-29, nova musca) and possible redshifted annihilation lines from AGN`s
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A space crystal diffraction telescope for the energy range of nuclear transitions
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The gametocyte-activating factor xanthurenic acid stimulates an increase in membrane-associated guanylyl cyclase activity in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
Sex is an obligate step in the life cycle of the malaria parasite and occurs in the midgut of the mosquito vector. With both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei, the tryptophan metabolite xanthurenic acid induces the release of motile male gametes from red blood cells (exflagellation), a prerequisite for fertilization. The addition of cGMP or phosphodiesterase inhibitors to cultures of mature gametocytes has also been shown to stimulate exflagellation. Here, we demonstrate that there is a guanylyl cyclase activity associated with mature P. falciparum gametocyte membrane preparations, which is dependent on the presence of Mg(2+)/Mn(2+) but is inhibited by Ca(2+). Significantly, this activity is increased on addition of xanthurenic acid. In contrast, a xanthurenic acid precursor (3-hydroxykynurenine), which is not an inducer of exflagellation, does not induce this guanylyl cyclase activity. These results therefore suggest that xanthurenic acid-induced exflagellation may be mediated by activation of the parasite cGMP signalling pathway