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Radio imaging of a type IVM radio burst on the 14th of August 2010

Propagating coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are often accompanied by burst signatures in radio spectrogram data. We present Nançay Radioheliograph observations of a moving source of broadband radio emission, commonly referred to as a type IV radio burst (type IVM), which occurred in association with a CME on the 14th of August 2010. The event was well observed at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths by SDO/AIA and PROBA2/SWAP, and by the STEREO SECCHI and SOHO LASCO white light (WL) coronagraphs. The EUV and WL observations show the type IVM source to be cospatial with the CME core. The observed spectra is well fitted by a power law with a negative slope, which is consistent with optically thin gyrosynchrotron emission. The spectrum shows no turn over at the lowest Nançay frequencies. By comparing simulated gyrosynchrotron spectra with Nançay Radioheliograph observations, and performing a rigorous parameter search we are able to constrain several key parameters of the underlying plasma. Simulated spectra found to fit the data suggest a nonthermal electron distribution with a low energy cutoff of several tens to 100 keV, with a nonthermal electron density in the range 10{sup 0}-10{sup 2} cm{sup –3}, in a magnetic field of a few Gauss. The nonthermal energy content of the source is found to contain 0.001%-0.1% of the sources thermal energy content. Furthermore, the energy loss timescale for this distribution equates to several hours, suggesting that the electrons could be accelerated during the CME initiation or early propagation phase and become trapped in the magnetic structure of the CME core without the need to be replenished.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Data for "Plasmon-driven exciton formation in a non-equilibrium Fermi liquid"

This repository contains source data for key plots presented in the manuscript "Plasmon-driven exciton formation in a non-equilibrium Fermi liquid." Experimental data that was analyzed in Igor Pro 8 are presented as the .pxp files used to generate individual sub-plots. Electronic spectral function calculations are provided as .txt files, in which consecutive rows refer to the meshgrid x coordinate, y coordinate, spectral function (and, where relevant, axis-projected local angular momentum). We additionally include the Wannier model and DFT-obtained bulk band structure on which the Wannier model was based. Files are named as the number of the figure in the manuscript to which they correspond, with additional details included where necessary. Details of file names: 2a_DOS_Lxz_Ek_KGM_40layer_xnum_800kpt_tot.txt: Density of states, xz-axis projected local orbital angular momentum, for 800 points along the K-Gamma-M path, for a 40-layer model. 2c_composite_y.pxp: ARPES (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy) spectra along the ky axis, including both a scan near the Fermi level and a scan at high kinetic energies. 2d_LCP_RCP_diff_Sect_20K.pxp: difference between ARPES constant energy cuts at T=20 K at E0 + 0.23 eV taken with left- and right-circularly polarized photons. The polarization-integrated intensity at the constant energy cut is also included. 2e_DOS_L45_E11pt79_m0pt25to0pt25_xnum_800kpt_tot.txt: Density of states, xz-projected local orbital angular momentum, and corresponding k-points in two dimensions from ab-initio electronic structure calculations for a constant-energy cut. 3a_[x]_[y]ps: ARPES cut under excitation at a fluence of x uJ/cm2, measured y ps after photoexcitation. Measurements were performed at 9 K. 3b_[x]: Energy distribution curves under excitation at a fluence x uJ/cm2 at selected delay times after photoexcitation. 4a_ImSigma_vs_temperature.pxp: Imaginary self energy (extracted from ARPES linewidths) at different energies above E0 for selected lattice temperatures. 4b_EELS_lowE.pxp: Electron energy loss spectrum over a low energy range 5b_diff_55m15.pxp: Difference between momentum-integrated Tr-ARPES traces at 55 uJ/cm2 and 15 uJ/cm2 photoexcitation. Time-dependent intensity at each energy level has been normalized to a maximum of 1 for each individual fluence prior to subtraction. 5d_invtau_at_EX_vs_fluence.pxp: decay rate at a specified energy EX for different excitation fluences, from single exponential fits. NOTE: Analyses based on the Wannier model presented here should cite both the associated Article and this dataset. For all other files in the repository, citing the dataset alone is sufficient.

Acharya, Rishi [University of Illinois] (ORCID:000↗

High-resolution Gamma Spectroscopy Measurements of Pressurized Water Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel Rods

International nuclear safeguards use nondestructive assay techniques to verify declared characteristics of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies. The declared characteristics usually include the initial enrichment, assembly average burnup, and irradiation history. The primary nondestructive assay tool used by the International Atomic Energy Agency has been the fork detector irradiated fuel measurement system, which uses gross gamma and neutron correlations; however, there have been several research publications within the last decade on the use of high-resolution gamma spectroscopy for the determination of SNF characteristics. References [1]–[6] are published journal articles on this subject from 2006–2016. This report describes measurements of 25 individual SNF rods using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. Details of the measurement geometry, measurement settings, and rod characteristics are documented. These spectra are intended for the validation of simulation codes that calculate SNF inventory and source term characteristics. The spectrum archive is available to evaluate future spectrum analysis methods. The archive contains full axial scan spectra of each SNF rod. This allows more detailed comparison between simulation and nondestructive analysis than is possible on assemblies.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Thermal limit for spherical accretion and X-ray bursts

A mechanism is described whereby the rate of spherical accretion on a collapsed object and the resulting X-ray luminosity can be limited by thermal heating and evaporation of the accreting gas. The luminosity limit can be a factor of the order of 100 below the corresponding Eddington limit. Steady accretion flow is not possible within a range above this limit, and X-ray bursts can be produced by accretion surges resulting from the cooling and collapse of a heated gas shell above a critical optical depth. The luminosity and approximate recurrence rate of the bursts from NGC 6624 and other burst sources may then be understood. A general model for bursters is proposed in which massive (about 10 to 100 solar masses) black holes, from massive stars and the cores of disrupted globular clusters, undergo supercritical spherical accretion in interstellar clouds. Both X-ray and gamma-ray bursts are predicted to have similar hard X-ray (about 200 keV) spectra, though high average accretion rates and central optical depths also yield a comparable luminosity at around 5 keV from a Comptonized blackbody spectrum in the X-ray bursts and associated steady sources.

Grindlay, J. E.↗

Nucleon-nucleus interactions from JACEE

Results on hadron-nucleus interactions from the Japanese-American Cooperation Emulsion Experiment experiment are presented. Angular distributions for charged particles, and angular and transverse momentum spectra for photons have been measured for a sample of events with sigma epsilon sub gamma. Results on central rapidity density and transverse energy flow are discussed.

Burnett, T. H.↗

Near-infrared spectroscopy of planetary nebulae: How strong is the H2 emission?

In an effort to understand the systematics of the H2 emission from planetary nebulae, a program of near-infared spectroscopy using the University of Texas infrared reticon spectrometer was started. This instrument has a 1x32 element InSb photodiode array as a detector. All of the observations reported were made on the McDonald Observatory 2.7 m telescope, with spectra resolving power lambda/delta lambda = 600. The spectral coverage allows the measurement strengths of Brackett gamma He I 2.113 microns, HE II 2.189 microns and the v = 1=0 S(1) line of H2 at 2.122 microns. One of the most important advantages of this instrument is that we are able to resolve H2 from the adjacent He I line. Most previous observations of planetaries have been made at spectral resolving powers of about 100, which blend these lines. The contribution of the He I line has generally been dismissed as being unimportant, but we show that this may not be valid. Our higher resolving power also improves the line-to-continuum contrast; in some cases, the continuum is the limiting factor in detecting faint lines.

Dinerstein, H. L.↗

The NII 2143 A emission in the dayglow

Observations of the N II 2143 A emission in the earth's dayglow were obtained by a rocket-borne spectrograph flown on Nov. 9, 1981, and Aug. 11, 1982. The ultraviolet spectra were analyzed using synthetic spectra to separate the contribution of the 2143 A emission from the overlapping nitric oxide gamma band. The 2143 A column emission rate profiles for both flights were quite similar with peak column emission intensities of approximately 500 Rayleighs at an altitude of 160 km. When the observed column emission rate profiles were compared with theoretical calculations, the production efficiency of this emission was found to be 0.10 + or - 0.04. The 2143 A emission varies by more than a factor of 3 over the solar cycle and therefore should be useful as an indicator of the solar EUV flux.

Cleary, D. D.↗

Gamma rays from the Crab and Vela pulsars

Gamma ray pulsed emission from the Crab and Vela pulsars are discussed. Emphasis is placed on use of current and future Gamma Ray Observatory observations as diagnostics to examine and constrain theoretical models. Issues on the spectra and pulse profile are discussed. Specifically, the absence and possibly significant time variability of pulsed emission below 10 MeV from the Vela pulsar represents a serious challenge to current astronomical models. Theoretical implication of this 'peculiarity' is addressed.

Ho, Cheng↗

Estimating redshifts for gamma-ray bursts

A test of distances to gamma-ray bursters is described that might be done with data from the BATSE experiment on the Gamma Ray Observatory. The test is equivalent to the formulation of the Hubble diagram for galactic redshifts. If the typical redshift of gamma-ray bursters is of the order of unity, the weakest bursts should have softer spectra than the strongest. There is some evidence for such a correlation in the BATSE data. If confirmed, this would provide the first spectroscopic indication that the burst sources lie at cosmological distances. There is also evidence that the redshift effect has been detected in the duration of a subset of the BATSE bursts. If confirmed, this could be evidence that not only the photons but also the light curves are stretched by the cosmological redshift.

Paczynski, Bohdan↗

Non-linear effects of QED multiple-photon processes on cyclotron spectra

The relativistic magnetic resonant multiple-photon processes are discussed up to order alpha(f)exp 2, in particular two-photon scattering and two-photon emission. The latter also contributes to the opacity and photon production, although more weakly than the scattering. These processes are nonlinear in the radiation field, and therefore the transfer depends sensitively on the cross sections. We show model spectra including three cyclotron harmonics for the accreting pulsar Her X-1 and the gamma-ray burster GB880205. The lines are highly polarized, and their depth is sensitive to the polarization treatment.

Meszaros, P.↗

The Impact of Electromagnetic Cascades of Very-high Energy Gamma Rays on the Extragalactic Gamma-ray Background

As very high energy (VHE) photons propagate through the extragalactic background light (EBL), they interact with the soft photons of the EBL and initiate electromagnetic cascades of photons and electrons. The collective intensity of a cosmological population emitting at VHEs (such as blazars) will be attenuated at the highest energies through interactions with the EBL and enhanced at lower energies by the resulting cascade. As such, depending on the space density and spectra of the sources and the model of the EBL, cascade radiation can provide a significant contribution to the extragalactic gamma-ray background (EGB). Through deflections of the charged particles of the cascade, an intergalactic magnetic field (IGMF) may leave an imprint on the anisotropy properties of the EGB. The impact of a strong IGMF is to isotropize lower energy cascade photons, inducing a modulation in the anisotropy energy spectrum of the EGB. We discuss the implications of cascade radiation for the origins of the EGB and the nature of the IGMF, as well as insight that will be provided by data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope in the upcoming years.

Venters, Tonia↗

PHOTOSPHERIC EMISSION FROM STRATIFIED JETS

We explore photospheric emissions from stratified two-component jets, wherein a highly relativistic spine outflow is surrounded by a wider and less relativistic sheath outflow. Thermal photons are injected in regions of high optical depth and propagated until the photons escape at the photosphere. Because of the presence of shear in velocity (Lorentz factor) at the boundary of the spine and sheath region, a fraction of the injected photons are accelerated using a Fermi-like acceleration mechanism such that a high-energy power-law tail is formed in the resultant spectrum. We show, in particular, that if a velocity shear with a considerable variance in the bulk Lorentz factor is present, the high-energy part of observed gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) photon spectrum can be explained by this photon acceleration mechanism. We also show that the accelerated photons might also account for the origin of the extra-hard power-law component above the bump of the thermal-like peak seen in some peculiar bursts (e.g., GRB 090510, 090902B, 090926A). We demonstrate that time-integrated spectra can also reproduce the low-energy spectrum of GRBs consistently using a multi-temperature effect when time evolution of the outflow is considered. Last, we show that the empirical E{sub p}-L{sub p} relation can be explained by differences in the outflow properties of individual sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Comptonization of thermal photons by relativistic electron beams

This paper presents a numerical calculation of gamma-ray emission produced by Compton scattering of relativistic electron beams on background thermal radiation, which includes spatial dependence of electron energy losses and cyclotron resonance scattering in a strong magnetic field. In the first version, the scattering is described by the fully relativistic Klein-Nishina cross section, but the magnetic field is neglected. In the second version, the scattering is described by the magnetic resonant cross section in the Thomson limit. It is found that when the magnetic field is not included, electron energy losses are important only at higher neutron star surface temperatures (T about 3,000,000 K). In the presence of a strong magnetic field, (10 to the 12th G), resonant scattering greatly increases electron energy losses, making scattering very efficient even at lower surface temperatures. Resulting photon and electron spectra for both cases ae discussed in relation to models for pulsar X-ray and gamma-ray emission.

Daugherty, Joseph K.↗

Evaluating the Bulk Lorentz Factors of Outflow Material: Lessons Learned from the Extremely Energetic Outburst GRB 160625B

GRB 160625B is an extremely bright outburst with well-monitored afterglow emission. The geometry-corrected energy is high, up to ∼5.2 × 10{sup 52} erg or even ∼8 × 10{sup 52} erg, rendering it the most energetic GRB prompt emission recorded so far. We analyzed the time-resolved spectra of the prompt emission and found that in some intervals there were likely thermal-radiation components and the high energy emission was characterized by significant cutoff. The bulk Lorentz factors of the outflow material are estimated accordingly. We found out that the Lorentz factors derived in the thermal-radiation model are consistent with the luminosity-Lorentz factor correlation found in other bursts, as well as in GRB 090902B for the time-resolved thermal-radiation components, while the spectral cutoff model yields much lower Lorentz factors that are in tension with the constraints set by the electron pair Compton scattering process. We then suggest that these spectral cutoffs are more likely related to the particle acceleration process and that one should be careful in estimating the Lorentz factors if the spectrum cuts at a rather low energy (e.g., ∼tens of MeV). The nature of the central engine has also been discussed, and a stellar-mass black hole is favored.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SU-C-9A-02: Structured Noise Index as An Automated Quality Control for Nuclear Medicine: A Two Year Experience

Purpose: Flood-field uniformity evaluation is an essential element in the assessment of nuclear medicine (NM) gamma cameras. It serves as the central element of the quality control (QC) program, acquired and analyzed on a daily basis prior to clinical imaging. Uniformity images are traditionally analyzed using pixel value-based metrics which often fail to capture subtle structure and patterns caused by changes in gamma camera performance requiring additional visual inspection which is subjective and time demanding. The goal of this project was to develop and implement a robust QC metrology for NM that is effective in identifying non-uniformity issues, reporting issues in a timely manner for efficient correction prior to clinical involvement, all incorporated into an automated effortless workflow, and to characterize the program over a two year period. Methods: A new quantitative uniformity analysis metric was developed based on 2D noise power spectrum metrology and confirmed based on expert observer visual analysis. The metric, termed Structured Noise Index (SNI) was then integrated into an automated program to analyze, archive, and report on daily NM QC uniformity images. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated over a period of 2 years. Results: The SNI metric successfully identified visually apparent non-uniformities overlooked by the pixel valuebased analysis methods. Implementation of the program has resulted in nonuniformity identification in about 12% of daily flood images. In addition, due to the vigilance of staff response, the percentage of days exceeding trigger value shows a decline over time. Conclusion: The SNI provides a robust quantification of the NM performance of gamma camera uniformity. It operates seamlessly across a fleet of multiple camera models. The automated process provides effective workflow within the NM spectra between physicist, technologist, and clinical engineer. The reliability of this process has made it the preferred platform for NM uniformity analysis.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Anisotropy test of the axion-like particle Universe opacity effect: a case for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

The opacity of the Universe to gamma rays is still poorly measured, in particular anomalies may have been observed. Assuming that such anomalies find their origin in conventional physics like intrinsic source spectra or the density of the extragalactic background light, they would be evenly distributed over the sky. If they exist, axion-like particles (ALPs) would have a potential effect on the opacity of the Universe to gamma rays, possibly related to the anomalies in the spectral indices of distant gamma-ray sources. Under the assumption that distant sources offer suitable environments for their production, ALPs convert back to photons in the Galactic magnetic field and their effect on the opacity is expected to depend on the position of the sources. In that case the anomaly is expected to exhibit peculiar correlations on the sky. We propose a method to test the origin of the opacity anomaly, based on angular correlations of spectral softening anomalies. Such a diagnosis requires a wide-field survey of high-energy gamma-ray sources over a broad range of energy. The future Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is perfectly suited to perform such a study. It is shown that while the current sample of sources is not large enough to base conclusions on, with this method CTA will be sensitive to ALP couplings to gamma rays of the order of 3 × 10{sup −11}GeV{sup −1} for ALP masses below 10{sup −8} eV.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Monte Carlo investigation of low-Z target image quality generated in a linear accelerator using Varian's VirtuaLinac

Purpose: The focus of this work was the demonstration and validation of VirtuaLinac with clinical photon beams and to investigate the implementation of low-Z targets in a TrueBeam linear accelerator (Linac) using Monte Carlo modeling. Methods: VirtuaLinac, a cloud based web application utilizing Geant4 Monte Carlo code, was used to model the Linac treatment head components. Particles were propagated through the lower portion of the treatment head using BEAMnrc. Dose distributions and spectral distributions were calculated using DOSXYZnrc and BEAMdp, respectively. For validation, 6 MV flattened and flattening filter free (FFF) photon beams were generated and compared to measurement for square fields, 10 and 40 cm wide and at d{sub max} for diagonal profiles. Two low-Z targets were investigated: a 2.35 MeV carbon target and the proposed 2.50 MeV commercial imaging target for the TrueBeam platform. A 2.35 MeV carbon target was also simulated in a 2100EX Clinac using BEAMnrc. Contrast simulations were made by scoring the dose in the phosphor layer of an IDU20 aSi detector after propagating through a 4 or 20 cm thick phantom composed of water and ICRP bone. Results: Measured and modeled depth dose curves for 6 MV flattened and FFF beams agree within 1% for 98.3% of points at depths greater than 0.85 cm. Ninety three percent or greater of points analyzed for the diagonal profiles had a gamma value less than one for the criteria of 1.5 mm and 1.5%. The two low-Z target photon spectra produced in TrueBeam are harder than that from the carbon target in the Clinac. Percent dose at depth 10 cm is greater by 3.6% and 8.9%; the fraction of photons in the diagnostic energy range (25–150 keV) is lower by 10% and 28%; and contrasts are lower by factors of 1.1 and 1.4 (4 cm thick phantom) and 1.03 and 1.4 (20 cm thick phantom), for the TrueBeam 2.35 MV/carbon and commercial imaging beams, respectively. Conclusions: VirtuaLinac is a promising new tool for Monte Carlo modeling of novel target designs. A significant spectral difference is observed between the low-Z target beam on the Clinac platform and the proposed imaging beam line on TrueBeam, with the former providing greater diagnostic energy content.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Recombining Plasma and Gamma-Ray Emission in the Mixed-morphology Supernova Remnant 3C 400.2

3C 400.2 belongs to the mixed-morphology supernova remnant class, showing center-filled X-ray and shell-like radio morphology. We present a study of 3C 400.2 with archival Suzaku and Fermi -LAT observations. We find recombining plasma (RP) in the Suzaku spectra of north–east and south–east regions. The spectra of these regions are well described by two-component thermal plasma models: the hard component is in RP, while the soft component is in collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) conditions. The RP has enhanced abundances, indicating that the X-ray emission has an ejecta origin, while the CIE has solar abundances associated with the interstellar material. The X-ray spectra of north–west and south–west regions are best fitted by a two-component thermal plasma model: an ionizing and a CIE plasma. We have detected GeV gamma-ray emission from 3C 400.2 at the level of ∼5 σ , assuming a point-like source model with a power-law (PL) type spectrum. We have also detected a new GeV source at the level of ∼13 σ, assuming a Gaussian extension model with a PL-type spectrum in the neighborhood of the supernova remnant. We report the analysis results of 3C 400.2 and the new extended gamma-ray source, and discuss the nature of gamma-ray emission of 3C 400.2 in the context of existing NANTEN CO data, Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory H i data, and the Suzaku X-ray analysis results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗