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At least 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Experimental Investigation of Subcritical Neutron and Gamma Noise Methods at the Seven Percent Critical Experiment (7uPCX)

As part of a collaborative international effort organized by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), with key participants from the Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN), Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), a series of high-multiplication subcritical neutron and gamma noise measurements was planned and executed. The primary aim of this article was to advance detector technology, assess the validity of gamma noise for subcriticality measurements, and nuclear criticality safety, focusing on collecting list-mode or time-series data from various reactor configurations with multiplication values ranging from 20 to 310. This comprehensive dataset enabled a detailed comparative analysis of multiple detector systems and the results of both neutron and gamma noise measurements. In this work, we focus on experimentally comparing the results from neutron and gamma noise measurements. We note good agreement between estimations of the prompt neutron decay constant and demonstrate the effects of changing reactor geometry on the efficiency of the differing methods. Our results agree well with independent experimental measurements and simulations performed by LLNL.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Data-Driven Performance Optimization of Gamma Spectrometers With Many Channels

In gamma spectrometers with variable spectroscopic performance across many channels (e.g., many pixels or voxels), a tradeoff exists between including data from successively worse-performing readout channels and increasing efficiency. Brute-force calculation of the optimal set of included channels is exponentially infeasible as the number of channels grows, and approximate methods are required. In this work, we present a data-driven framework for attempting to find near-optimal sets of included detector channels. The framework leverages non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to learn the behavior of gamma spectra across the detector and clusters similarly-performing detector channels together. Performance comparisons are then made between spectra with channel clusters removed, which is more feasible than brute force. The framework is general and can be applied to arbitrary, user-defined performance metrics depending on the application. We apply this framework to optimizing gamma spectra measured by H3D M400 CdZnTe (CZT) spectrometers, which exhibit variable performance across their crystal volumes. In particular, we show several examples optimizing various performance metrics for uranium and plutonium gamma spectra in non-destructive assay (NDA) for nuclear safeguards, and explore trends in performance versus parameters such as clustering algorithm type. We also compare the NMF + clustering pipeline to several non-machine-learning (ML) algorithms, including several greedy algorithms. Although, we find that the NMF + clustering pipeline tends to find the best-performing set of detector voxels, significantly improving over the unoptimized spectra, but that a greedy accumulation of spectra segmented by detector depth can, in some cases, give similar performance improvements in much less computation time.

Energy resolution↗
DOE OSTI2013

BrachyView: Proof-of-principle of a novel in-body gamma camera for low dose-rate prostate brachytherapy

Purpose: The conformity of the achieved dose distribution to the treatment plan strongly correlates with the accuracy of seed implantation in a prostate brachytherapy treatment procedure. Incorrect seed placement leads to both short and long term complications, including urethral and rectal toxicity. The authors present BrachyView, a novel concept of a fast intraoperative treatment planning system, to provide real-time seed placement information based on in-body gamma camera data. BrachyView combines the high spatial resolution of a pixellated silicon detector (Medipix2) with the volumetric information acquired by a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). The two systems will be embedded in the same probe so as to provide anatomically correct seed positions for intraoperative planning and postimplant dosimetry. Dosimetric calculations are based on the TG-43 method using the real position of the seeds. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of BrachyView using the Medipix2 pixel detector and a pinhole collimator to reconstruct the real-time 3D position of low dose-rate brachytherapy seeds in a phantom. Methods: BrachyView incorporates three Medipix2 detectors coupled to a multipinhole collimator. Three-dimensionally triangulated seed positions from multiple planar images are used to determine the seed placement in a PMMA prostate phantom in real time. MATLAB codes were used to test the reconstruction method and to optimize the device geometry. Results: The results presented in this paper show a 3D position reconstruction accuracy of the seed in the range of 0.5-3 mm for a 10-60 mm seed-to-detector distance interval (Z direction), respectively. The BrachyView system also demonstrates a spatial resolution of 0.25 mm in the XY plane for sources at 10 mm distance from Medipix2 detector plane, comparable to the theoretical value calculated for an equivalent gamma camera arrangement. The authors successfully demonstrated the capability of BrachyView for real-time imaging (using a 3 s data acquisition time) of different brachytherapy seed configurations (with an activity of 0.05 U) throughout a 60 Multiplication-Sign 60 Multiplication-Sign 60 mm{sup 3} Perspex prostate phantom. Conclusions: The newly developed miniature gamma camera component of BrachyView, with its high spatial resolution and real time capability, allows accurate 3D localization of seeds in a prostate phantom. Combination of the gamma camera with TRUS in a single probe will complete the BrachyView system.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-J-208: Prompt Gamma Imaging-Based Prediction of Bragg Peak Position for Realistic Treatment Error Scenarios

Purpose: To quantify the accuracy in predicting the Bragg peak position using simulated in-room measurements of prompt gamma (PG) emissions for realistic treatment error scenarios that combine several sources of errors. Methods: Prompt gamma measurements by a knife-edge slit camera were simulated using an experimentally validated analytical simulation tool. Simulations were performed, for 143 treatment error scenarios, on an anthropomorphic phantom and a pencil beam scanning plan for nasal cavity. Three types of errors were considered: translation along each axis, rotation around each axis, and CT-calibration errors with magnitude ranging respectively, between −3 and 3 mm, −5 and 5 degrees, and between −5 and +5%. We investigated the correlation between the Bragg peak (BP) shift and the horizontal shift of PG profiles. The shifts were calculated between the planned (reference) position and the position by the error scenario. The prediction error for one spot was calculated as the absolute difference between the PG profile shift and the BP shift. Results: The PG shift was significantly and strongly correlated with the BP shift for 92% of the cases (p<0.0001, Pearson correlation coefficient R>0.8). Moderate but significant correlations were obtained for all cases that considered only CT-calibration errors and for 1 case that combined translation and CT-errors (p<0.0001, R ranged between 0.61 and 0.8). The average prediction errors for the simulated scenarios ranged between 0.08±0.07 and 1.67±1.3 mm (grand mean 0.66±0.76 mm). The prediction error was moderately correlated with the value of the BP shift (p=0, R=0.64). For the simulated scenarios the average BP shift ranged between −8±6.5 mm and 3±1.1 mm. Scenarios that considered combinations of the largest treatment errors were associated with large BP shifts. Conclusion: Simulations of in-room measurements demonstrate that prompt gamma profiles provide reliable estimation of the Bragg peak position for complex error scenarios. Yafei Xing and Luiza Bondar are funded by BEWARE grants from the Walloon Region. The work presents simulations results for a prompt gamma camera prototype developed by IBA.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

MO-AB-206-02: Testing Gamma Cameras Based On TG177 WG Report

This education session will cover the physics and operation principles of gamma cameras and PET scanners. The first talk will focus on PET imaging. An overview of the principles of PET imaging will be provided, including positron decay physics, and the transition from 2D to 3D imaging. More recent advances in hardware and software will be discussed, such as time-of-flight imaging, and improvements in reconstruction algorithms that provide for options such as depth-of-interaction corrections. Quantitative applications of PET will be discussed, as well as the requirements for doing accurate quantitation. Relevant performance tests will also be described. Learning Objectives: Be able to describe basic physics principles of PET and operation of PET scanners. Learn about recent advances in PET scanner hardware technology. Be able to describe advances in reconstruction techniques and improvements Be able to list relevant performance tests. The second talk will focus on gamma cameras. The Nuclear Medicine subcommittee has charged a task group (TG177) to develop a report on the current state of physics testing of gamma cameras, SPECT, and SPECT/CT systems. The report makes recommendations for performance tests to be done for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests, and identifies those needed satisfy the ACR accreditation program and The Joint Commission imaging standards. The report is also intended to be used as a manual with detailed instructions on how to perform tests under widely varying conditions. Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation members of the audience will: Be familiar with the tests recommended for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests of gamma cameras for planar imaging. Be familiar with the tests recommended for routine quality assurance, annual physics testing, and acceptance tests of SPECT systems. Be familiar with the tests of a SPECT/CT system that include the CT images for SPECT reconstructions. Become knowledgeable of items to be included in annual acceptance testing reports including CT dosimetry and PACS monitor measurements. T. Turkington, GE Healthcare.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2016

ALEGRO: A new-generation Cherenkov gamma observatory

The concept of a new-generation terrestrial Cherenkov gamma observatory is proposed on the basis of the results of numerical modeling and research and development work. The key parameters of this observatory are estimated. Its primary objective should be the observation of cosmic gamma-ray sources in the 5–50 GeV energy range. Neither ground-based Cherenkov gamma observatories nor orbital gamma telescopes are presently able to perform such observations efficiently.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Effect of gamma irradiation on the photoluminescence of porous silicon

The effect of gamma irradiation on the luminescence properties of porous silicon produced by the electrochemical technique is studied. Changes in the photoluminescence intensity between irradiation doses and over a period of several days after the last irradiation are recorded. The quenching of photoluminescence at low irradiation doses and recovery after further irradiation are registered. It is found that porous silicon is strongly oxidized after gamma irradiation and the oxidation process continues for several days after irradiation. It is conceived that the change in the photoluminescence spectra and intensity of porous silicon after gamma irradiation is caused by a change in the passivation type of the porous surface: instead of hydrogen passivation, more stable oxygen passivation is observed. To stabilize the photoluminescence spectra of porous silicon, the use of fullerenes is proposed. No considerable changes in the photoluminescence spectra during irradiation and up to 18 days after irradiation are detected in a porous silicon sample with a thermally deposited fullerene layer. It is shown that porous silicon samples with a deposited C{sub 60} layer are stable to gamma irradiation and oxidation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Application of Two Phase (Liquid/Gas) Xenon Gamma-Camera for the Detection of Special Nuclear Material and PET Medical Imaging

The McKinsey group at Yale has been awarded a grant from DTRA for the building of a Liquid Xenon Gamma Ray Color Camera (LXe-GRCC), which combines state-of-the-art detection of LXe scintillation light and time projection chamber (TPC) charge readout. The DTRA application requires a movable detector and hence only a single phase (liquid) xenon detector can be considered in this case. We propose to extend the DTRA project to applications that allow a two phase (liquid/gas) xenon TPC. This entails additional (yet minimal) hardware and extension of the research effort funded by DTRA. The two phase detector will have better energy and angular resolution. Such detectors will be useful for PET medical imaging and detection of special nuclear material in stationary applications (e.g. port of entry). The expertise of the UConn group in gas phase TPCs will enhance the capabilities of the Yale group and the synergy between the two groups will be very beneficial for this research project as well as the education and research projects of the two universities. The LXe technology to be used in this project has matured rapidly over the past few years, developed for use in detectors for nuclear physics and astrophysics. This technology may now be applied in a straightforward way to the imaging of gamma rays. According to detailed Monte Carlo simulations recently performed at Yale University, energy resolution of 1% and angular resolution of 3 degrees may be obtained for 1.0 MeV gamma rays, using existing technology. With further research and development, energy resolution of 0.5% and angular resolution of 1.3 degrees will be possible at 1.0 MeV. Because liquid xenon is a high density, high Z material, it is highly efficient for scattering and capturing gamma rays. In addition, this technology scales elegantly to large detector areas, with several square meter apertures possible. The Yale research group is highly experienced in the development and use of noble liquid detectors for astrophysics, most recently in the XENON10 experiment. The existing facilities at Yale are fully adequate for the completion of this project. The facilities of the UConn group at the LNS at Avery Point include a (clean) lab for detector development and this group recently delivered an Optical Readout TPC (O-TPC) for research in Nuclear Astrophysics at the TUNL in Duke University. The machine shop at UConn will be used (free of charge) for producing the extra hardware needed for this project including grids and frames.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Initiation of Experimental Campaign to Address Knowledge Gaps Related to Simultaneous Thermal and Gamma Radiation Aging of Crosslinked Polyethylene and Ethylene-Propylene Rubber Cable Insulation

Key cable knowledge gaps identified in the Expanded Materials Degradation Assessment (EMDA) volume on Aging of Cables and Cable Systems (Volume 5) specifically relate to the combined effects of thermal and gamma irradiation stresses on cable insulation materials. These include dose rate effects (DRE), inverse temperature effects (ITE), and synergistic effects (S/E). Extent of radiation-induced polymer degradation is proportional to absorbed dose, but DRE describe the phenomenon in which degree of damage is based not only on total dose, but also on the dose rate experienced during dose accumulation. This can be particularly complicated in the presence of thermal stress as a material spends more time at elevated temperature to receive the same total dose at a lower dose rate. Rates of cable polymer degradation generally increases with temperature, but ITE describes the situation in which polymer material damage under irradiation is greater at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures. Finally, S/E describe the concept that the mechanism of polymer material degradation when exposed to thermal aging and radiation aging in succession may be different than when exposed to thermal and radiation aging concurrently. The experimental campaign at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) described in this report seeks to address these knowledge gaps through investigation of the degradation of relevant cable insulation materials at select conditions using controlled temperatures, dose rates and total doses. Insulation materials considered were chosen to represent those most commonly found in U.S. nuclear power plants in terms of manufacturers and polymer systems. They include products from manufactures including The Rockbestos Company; The Okonite Company; Boston Insulated Wire & Cable Company; Kerite Company; Anaconda Company; Brand Rex, Inc.; and Samuel Moore Company. The products include the most ubiquitous cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) classes of insulation polymer. Circulating air ovens with remote temperature sensing and control are positioned within the gamma irradiation beam to enable controlled temperatures during radiation exposure. Dose rates are controlled through repeatable positioning of specimens at determined distances from the Cobalt-60 gamma source. Total absorbed doses for comparing temperature and dose rate effects are controlled by removing samples from exposure at pre-determined time points. The effects of gamma beam geometry, source decay and attenuation due to samples, ovens and racks are determined and controlled for using local point dosimetry. The temperature, dose and dose rates selected for the experimental campaign described in this report were determined following input from a range of stakeholders and intended to balance the constraints of the experimental capabilities, available material, project timeline and project funding with the value of the effort in narrowing EMDA-identified knowledge gaps. Results from this campaign are anticipated to reduce uncertainty in the understanding of cable material degradation behavior in nuclear power plant environments and thereby support cable aging management in long term operation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Gamma Driven Catalysis of Ammonia

Experiments were conducted to investigate a passive production mechanism for the world’s most energy intensive commodity, ammonia. A novel method, gamma catalyzed ammonia production at ambient conditions, was investigated. Ammonia is currently produced through the highly energy intensive Haber-Fritz process, which requires an operation pressure of 400 atmosphere and 600 degrees Celsius. Due to the high demand and need for ammonia, the Haber-Bosch process consumes 25% all energy produced globally. Reported herein was an attempt to produce ammonia at ambient temperature (20 C) and ambient pressure (1 atm), through a novel process developed at PNNL, gamma driven catalysis of ammonia. Although the measurements of the ammonia production suggest wild success, reports in the literature by Gao et.al. suggest an experimental positive bias in the results. To rule out the potential positive bias, multiple additional production campaigns would be needed to with an alternate analysis technique such as ion chromatography, as suggested by Gao et.al. Unfortunately, due to this late determination of potential positive bias, the results of this study remain inconclusive to the feasibility of gamma driven catalysis of ammonia and more work is needed to describe the chemical evolution with time. The results are a first step and demonstrate that gamma-catalyst mediated reactions are possible. This represents a key opportunity to explore the fundamental chemistry of high band gap catalysts that can change the paradigm of radiation, transforming it from a waste to a valuable energy source.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2016

ENERGETIC GAMMA RADIATION FROM RAPIDLY ROTATING BLACK HOLES

Supermassive black holes (BHs) are believed to be the central powerhouse of active galactic nuclei. Applying the pulsar outer-magnetospheric particle accelerator theory to BH magnetospheres, we demonstrate that an electric field is exerted along the magnetic field lines near the event horizon of a rotating BH. In this particle accelerator (or a gap), electrons and positrons are created by photon–photon collisions and accelerated in the opposite directions by this electric field, efficiently emitting gamma-rays via curvature and inverse-Compton processes. It is shown that a gap arises around the null-charge surface formed by the frame-dragging effect, provided that there is no current injection across the gap boundaries. The gap is dissipating a part of the hole’s rotational energy, and the resultant gamma-ray luminosity increases with decreasing plasma accretion from the surroundings. Considering an extremely rotating supermassive BH, we show that such a gap reproduces the significant very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray flux observed from the radio galaxy IC 310, provided that the accretion rate becomes much less than the Eddington rate particularly during its flare phase. It is found that the curvature process dominates the inverse-Compton process in the magnetosphere of IC 310, and that the observed power-law-like spectrum in VHE gamma-rays can be explained to some extent by a superposition of the curvature emissions with varying curvature radius. It is predicted that the VHE spectrum extends into higher energies with increasing VHE photon flux.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Search for differences between radio-loud and radio-quiet gamma-ray pulsar populations with Fermi-LAT data

Observations by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) have enabled us to explore the population of non-recycled gamma-ray pulsars with a set of 112 objects. It was recently noted that there are apparent differences in the properties of radio-quiet and radio-loud subsets. In particular, the average observed radio-loud pulsar is younger than the average radio-quiet one and is located at lower Galactic latitude. Even so, the analysis based on the full list of pulsars may suffer from selection effects. Namely, most radio-loud pulsars are first discovered in the radio band, while radio-quiet ones are found using the gamma-ray data. In this work we perform a blind search for gamma-ray pulsars using the Fermi-LAT data alone, using all point sources from the 3FGL catalog as the candidates. Unlike our previous work, the present catalog is constructed with a semi-coherent method based on the time-differencing technique and covers the full range of characteristic ages down to 1 kyr. The search resulted in a catalog of 40 non-recycled pulsars, 25 of which are radio-quiet. All pulsars found in the search were previously known gamma-ray pulsars. We find no statistically significant differences in age or in distributions in Galactic latitude for the radio-loud and radio-quiet pulsars, while the distributions in rotation period are marginally different with a statistical probability of 4×10{sup −3}. The fraction of radio-quiet pulsars is estimated as ϵ{sub RQ}=(63±8)%. The results are in agreement with the predictions of the outer magnetosphere models, while the polar cap models are disfavored.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evidence of a Spectral Break in the Gamma-Ray Emission of the Disk Component of the Large Magellanic Cloud: A Hadronic Origin?

It has been suggested that the high-energy gamma-ray emission (>100 MeV) of nearby star-forming galaxies may be produced predominantly by cosmic rays colliding with the interstellar medium through neutral pion decay. The pion decay mechanism predicts a unique spectral signature in the gamma-ray spectrum, characterized by a fast-rising spectrum (in E{sup 2}F(E) representation) and a spectral break below a few hundred MeV. Here, we report evidence of a spectral break, around 500 MeV in the disk emission of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), that was found during an analysis of the gamma-ray data extending down to 60 MeV, observed by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope. The break is consistent with the pion decay model of gamma-ray emission, although leptonic models, such as electron bremsstrahlung emission, cannot be ruled out completely.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Mode Change of a Gamma-Ray Pulsar, PSR J2021+4026

A glitch of a pulsar is known as a sudden increase in the spin frequency and spin-down rate (frequency time derivative), and it can be caused by a sudden release of the stress built up in the solid crust of the star or pinned vortices in the superfluid interior. PSR J2021+4026 is the first pulsar that shows a significant change in the gamma-ray flux and pulse profile at the glitch that occurred around 2011 October 16. We report the results of timing and spectral analysis of PSR J2021+4026 using ∼8 yr Fermi Large Area Telescope data. We find that the pulsar stayed at a high spin-down rate (∼4% higher than the pre-glitch value) and a low gamma-ray state (∼18% lower) for about 3 yr after the glitch. Around 2014 December, the spin-down rate and gamma-ray flux gradually returned to pre-glitch values within a timescale of a few months. The phase-resolved spectra and pulse profiles after the relaxation are also consistent with those before the glitch. The observed long-term evolution of the spin-down rate and the gamma-ray flux indicates that the glitch triggered a mode change in the global magnetosphere. We speculate that the glitch changed the local magnetic field structure around the polar cap and/or the inclination angle of the dipole axis, leading to a change in the electric current circulating in the magnetosphere.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

AGILE Detection of a Candidate Gamma-Ray Precursor to the ICECUBE-160731 Neutrino Event

On 2016 July 31 the ICECUBE collaboration reported the detection of a high-energy starting event induced by an astrophysical neutrino. Here, we report on a search for a gamma-ray counterpart to the ICECUBE-160731 event, made with the AGILE satellite. No detection was found spanning the time interval of ±1 ks around the neutrino event time T {sub 0} using the AGILE “burst search” system. Looking for a possible gamma-ray precursor in the results of the AGILE-GRID automatic Quick Look procedure over predefined 48-hr time bins, we found an excess above 100 MeV between 1 and 2 days before T {sub 0}, which is positionally consistent with the ICECUBE error circle, that has a post-trial significance of about 4σ. A refined data analysis of this excess confirms, a posteriori, the automatic detection. The new AGILE transient source, named AGL J1418+0008, thus stands as a possible ICECUBE-160731 gamma-ray precursor. No other space missions nor ground observatories have reported any detection of transient emission consistent with the ICECUBE event. We show that Fermi-LAT had a low exposure for the ICECUBE region during the AGILE gamma-ray transient. Based on an extensive search for cataloged sources within the error regions of ICECUBE-160731 and AGL J1418+0008, we find a possible common counterpart showing some of the key features associated with the high-energy peaked BL Lac (HBL) class of blazars. Further investigations on the nature of this source using dedicated SWIFT ToO data are presented.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

KASCADE-Grande Limits on the Isotropic Diffuse Gamma-Ray Flux between 100 TeV and 1 EeV

KASCADE and KASCADE-Grande were multi-detector installations to measure individual air showers of cosmic rays at ultra-high energy. Based on data sets measured by KASCADE and KASCADE-Grande, 90% C.L. upper limits to the flux of gamma-rays in the primary cosmic ray flux are determined in an energy range of 10{sup 14}--10{sup 18} eV. The analysis is performed by selecting air showers with a low muon content as expected for gamma-ray-induced showers compared to air showers induced by energetic nuclei. The best upper limit of the fraction of gamma-rays to the total cosmic ray flux is obtained at 3.7×10{sup 15} eV with 1.1×10{sup −5}. Translated to an absolute gamma-ray flux this sets constraints on some fundamental astrophysical models, such as the distance of sources for at least one of the IceCube neutrino excess models.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Dark Matter Limits from Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies with the HAWC Gamma-Ray Observatory

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) gamma-ray observatory is a wide field of view observatory sensitive to 500 GeV–100 TeV gamma-rays and cosmic rays. It can also perform diverse indirect searches for dark matter annihilation and decay. Among the most promising targets for the indirect detection of dark matter are dwarf spheroidal galaxies. These objects are expected to have few astrophysical sources of gamma-rays but high dark matter content, making them ideal candidates for an indirect dark matter detection with gamma-rays. In this paper we present individual limits on the annihilation cross section and decay lifetime for 15 dwarf spheroidal galaxies within the field of view, as well as their combined limit. These are the first limits on the annihilation cross section and decay lifetime using data collected with HAWC. We also present the HAWC flux upper limits of the 15 dwarf spheroidal galaxies in half-decade energy bins.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

VERITAS and Fermi -LAT Observations of TeV Gamma-Ray Sources Discovered by HAWC in the 2HWC Catalog

The High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) collaboration recently published their 2HWC catalog, listing 39 very high energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma-ray sources based on 507 days of observation. Among these, 19 sources are not associated with previously known teraelectronvolt (TeV) gamma-ray sources. We have studied 14 of these sources without known counterparts with VERITAS and Fermi-LAT. VERITAS detected weak gamma-ray emission in the 1 TeV–30 TeV band in the region of DA 495, a pulsar wind nebula coinciding with 2HWC J1953+294, confirming the discovery of the source by HAWC. Here, we did not find any counterpart for the selected 14 new HAWC sources from our analysis of Fermi-LAT data for energies higher than 10 GeV. During the search, we detected gigaelectronvolt (GeV) gamma-ray emission coincident with a known TeV pulsar wind nebula, SNR G54.1+0.3 (VER J1930+188), and a 2HWC source, 2HWC J1930+188. The fluxes for isolated, steady sources in the 2HWC catalog are generally in good agreement with those measured by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. However, the VERITAS fluxes for SNR G54.1+0.3, DA 495, and TeV J2032+4130 are lower than those measured by HAWC, and several new HAWC sources are not detected by VERITAS. This is likely due to a change in spectral shape, source extension, or the influence of diffuse emission in the source region.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗