2,194 research outputs found
Extragalactic Background Light and Gamma-Ray Attenuation
Data from (non-) attenuation of gamma rays from active galactic nuclei (AGN)
and gamma ray bursts (GRBs) give upper limits on the extragalactic background
light (EBL) from the UV to the mid-IR that are only a little above the lower
limits from observed galaxies. These upper limits now rule out some EBL models
and purported observations, with improved data likely to provide even stronger
constraints. We present EBL calculations both based on multiwavelength
observations of thousands of galaxies and also based on semi-analytic models,
and show that they are consistent with these lower limits from observed
galaxies and with the gamma-ray upper limit constraints. Such comparisons
"close the loop" on cosmological galaxy formation models, since they account
for all the light, including that from galaxies too faint to see. We compare
our results with those of other recent works, and discuss the implications of
these new EBL calculations for gamma ray attenuation. Catching a few GRBs with
groundbased atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (ACT) arrays or water Cherenkov
detectors could provide important new constraints on the high-redshift star
formation history of the universe.Comment: 12 pages, 8 multi-panel figures, Invited talk at the 25th Texas
Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, Heidelberg December 6-10, 201
Catching GRBs with atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes
Fermi has shown GRBs to be a source of >10 GeV photons. We present an
estimate of the detection rate of GRBs with a next generation Cherenkov
telescope. Our predictions are based on the observed properties of GRBs
detected by Fermi, combined with the spectral properties and redshift
determinations for the bursts population by instruments operating at lower
energies. While detection of VHE emission from GRBs has eluded ground-based
instruments thus far, our results suggest that ground-based detection may be
within reach of the proposed Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), albeit with a low
rate, 0.25 - 0.5/yr. Such a detection would help constrain the emission
mechanism of gamma-ray emission from GRBs. Photons at these energies from
distant GRBs are affected by the UV-optical background light, and a
ground-based detection could also provide a valuable probe of the Extragalactic
Background Light (EBL) in place at high redshift.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in the Proceedings of "Gamma Ray Bursts
2010", held Nov. 1-4, 2010 in Annapolis, M
A Quantum Yield Map for Synthetic Eumelanin
The quantum yield of synthetic eumelanin is known to be extremely low and it
has recently been reported to be dependent on excitation wavelength. In this
paper, we present quantum yield as a function of excitation wavelength between
250 and 500 nm, showing it to be a factor of 4 higher at 250 nm than at 500 nm.
In addition, we present a definitive map of the steady-state fluorescence as a
function of excitation and emission wavelengths, and significantly, a
three-dimensional map of the specific quantum yield: the fraction of photons
absorbed at each wavelength that are subsequently radiated at each emission
wavelength. This map contains clear features, which we attribute to certain
structural models, and shows that radiative emission and specific quantum yield
are negligible at emission wavelengths outside the range of 585 and 385 nm (2.2
and 3.2 eV), regardless of excitation wavelength. This information is important
in the context of understanding melanin biofunctionality, and the quantum
molecular biophysics therein.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure
Diffuse Extragalactic Background Radiation
Attenuation of high--energy gamma rays by pair--production with UV, optical
and IR background photons provides a link between the history of galaxy
formation and high--energy astrophysics. We present results from our latest
semi-analytic models (SAMs), based upon a CDM hierarchical structural
formation scenario and employing all ingredients thought to be important to
galaxy formation and evolution, as well as reprocessing of starlight by dust to
mid- and far-IR wavelengths. Our models also use results from recent
hydrodynamic galaxy merger simulations. These latest SAMs are successful in
reproducing a large variety of observational constraints such as number counts,
luminosity and mass functions, and color bimodality. We have created 2 models
that bracket the likely ranges of galaxy emissivities, and for each of these we
show how the optical depth from pair--production is affected by redshift and
gamma-ray energy. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of our
work, and how the burgeoning science of gamma-ray astronomy will continue to
help constrain cosmology.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, to be published in the Proceedings of the 4th
Heidelberg International Symposium on High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy, held
July 2008 in Heidelberg, German
Modeling Gamma-Ray Attenuation in High-Redshift GeV Spectra
We present two models for the cosmological UV background light, and calculate
the opacity of GeV gamma--rays out to redshift 9. The contributors to the
background include 2 possible quasar emissivities, and output from
star--forming galaxies as determined by recent a semi--analytic model (SAM) of
structure formation. The SAM used in this work is based upon a hierarchical
build-up of structure in a CDM universe and is highly successful in
reproducing a variety of observational parameters. Above 1 Rydberg energy,
ionizing radiation is subject to reprocessing by the IGM, which we treat using
our radiative transfer code, CUBA. The two models for quasar emissivity
differing above z = 2.3 are chosen to match the ionization rates observed using
flux decrement analysis and the higher values of the line-of-sight proximity
effect. We also investigate the possibility of a flat star formation rate
density at z . We conclude that observations of gamma--rays from 10 to 100
GeV by Fermi (GLAST) and the next generation of ground based experiments should
confirm a strongly evolving opacity from z . Observation of
attenuation in the spectra of gamma--ray bursts at higher redshift could
constrain emission of UV radiation at these early times, either from a flat or
increasing star-formation density or an unobserved population of sources.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures, To be published in the Proceedings of the 4th
Heidelberg International Symposium on High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy, held
July 2008 in Heidelberg, German
Quantitative photoluminescence of broad band absorbing melanins: A procedure to correct for inner filter and re-absorption effects
We report methods for correcting the photoluminescence emission and
excitation spectra of highly absorbing samples for re-absorption and inner
filter effects. We derive the general form of the correction, and investigate
various methods for determining the parameters. Additionally, the correction
methods are tested with highly absorbing fluorescein and melanin (broadband
absorption) solutions; the expected linear relationships between absorption and
emission are recovered upon application of the correction, indicating that the
methods are valid. These procedures allow accurate quantitative analysis of the
emission of low quantum yield samples (such as melanin) at concentrations where
absorption is significant.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure
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