High Time Resolution Astrophysics (eBook)

Don Phelan, Oliver Ryan, Andrew Shearer (Herausgeber)

eBook Download: PDF

2007 | 2008
X, 350 Seiten
Springer Netherland (Verlag)
978-1-4020-6518-7 (ISBN)

Infos

This is quite simply the first volume of its kind dedicated to the area of high time resolution astrophysics. High time resolution astrophysics (HTRA) is an important new window on the universe and a vital tool in understanding a range of phenomena from diverse objects and radiative processes. Underlining this science foundation, technological developments in both instrumentation and detectors are described.

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High Time Resolution Astrophysics (HTRA) is an important new window to the universe and a vital tool in understanding a range of phenomena from diverse objects and radiative processes. This importance is demonstrated in this volume with the description of a number of topics in astrophysics, including quantum optics, cataclysmic variables, pulsars, X-ray binaries and stellar pulsations to name a few. Underlining this science foundation, technological developments in both instrumentation and detectors are described. These instruments and detectors combined cover a wide range of timescales and can measure fluxes, spectra and polarisation. These advances make it possible for HTRA to make a big contribution to our understanding of the Universe in the next decade.

Inhalt

Preface 7
Contents 9
High Time Resolution Astrophysics and Pulsars 11
1 Introduction 11
2 NormalPulsars 13
3 AXPs and RRATs 19
4 Future Observing Campaigns 21
5 Conclusion 27
References 27
High Time Resolution Observations of Cataclysmic Variables 30
1 Introduction 30
2 Early Time-Resolved Observations of CVs 32
3 Flickering and Oscillations 32
4 Eclipse Mapping 34
5 Evolution: Mass Determinations 38
6 Asteroseismology 39
7 Conclusions 42
References 43
High-Speed Optical Observations of X- ray Binaries 45
1 Introduction 45
2 Early Fast CCD Observations 46
3 Optical/X-ray Bursts 47
4 Short-Term Variability in Quiescent XRTs 49
5 Correlated Optical X-ray Variability 50
6 ULTRACAM Observations of Quiescent X-ray Transients 51
7 Conclusions 59
References 59
Stellar Pulsation, Subdwarf B Stars and High Time Resolution Astrophysics 61
1 Introduction 61
2 Stellar Pulsation and High Time Resolution 62
3 Subdwarf B Stars 70
4 Mode Identification in V361 Hya Variables 72
5 Does Pulsation need HTRA? 80
References 80
High-Speed Optical Spectroscopy 83
1 Introduction 83
2 Scientific Motivation 84
3 CCD Spectroscopy 90
4 Conclusion 97
References 98
Appendix A Clock Induced Charge Statistics 100
Photonic Astronomy and Quantum Optics 102
1 What Is Observed in Astronomy? 102
2 What is Not Observed in Astronomy? 103
3 The Intensity Interferometer 106
4 Quantum Phenomena in Astronomy 109
5 Searching for Laser/Maser Effects 120
6 Modeling Astrophysical Photon Statistics 121
7 Photon Orbital Angular Momentum 122
8 Role of Large Optical Telescopes 123
9 Synergy with Large Radio Telescopes 125
10 Intensity Interferometry of Non-Photons 127
11 Modern Intensity Interferometry 128
12 Instrumentation for Extremely Large Telescopes 131
13 Conclusions 132
References 133
ULTRACAM: An Ultra-Fast, Triple-Beam CCD Camera for High- Speed Astrophysics 140
1 Introduction 140
2 Scientific Motivation 141
3 Design 143
4 Performance 155
5 Conclusions 157
References 157
OPTIMA: A High Time Resolution Optical Photo- Polarimeter 160
1 General Layout 160
2 Selected Measurements 169
3 Conclusions 175
References 175
From QuantEYE to AquEYE—Instrumentation for Astrophysics on its Shortest Timescales 177
1 Introduction 177
2 QuantEYE Basic Opto-Mechanical Design 179
3 An Imaging Version for QuantEYE 182
4 Data Storage and Analysis 184
5 A Small Prototype for QuantEYE 185
6 Conclusions 189
References 190
Fast Spectroscopy and Imaging with the FORS2 HIT Mode 192
1 General Description 192
2 HITModes 193
3 Characteristics of the HIT Sub-Modes 200
4 FO Aqr —a Worked Example 204
5 Future Upgrades 206
6 Conclusion 208
References 208
An Ultra-High-Speed Stokes Polarimeter for Astronomy 210
1 Introduction 210
2 Sources of Polarized Radiation at High Time Resolution 212
3 Requirements for an Ultra-High-Speed Stokes Polarimeter 217
4 Design of the Galway Astronomical Stokes Polarimeter ( GASP) 219
5 Detectors for GASP 225
6 Error Analysis & The Sensitivity of Gasp
7 Conclusions 231
References 231
Use of an Extremely Large Telescope for HTRA 234
1 Introduction 234
2 Optical HTRA Science 235
3 HTRA Requirements of the ELT 241
4 HTRA Detectors 248
5 Conclusion 255
References 256
EMCCD Technology in High Precision Photometry on Short Timescales 262
1 The lure of Photon-Counting Detectors 262
2 Electron Multiplying CCDs 263
3 Factors Affecting Photometry 270
4 Observing Blazars with EMCCDs 273
5 Final Comments 283
References 284
The Development of Avalanche Amplifying pnCCDs: A Status Report 285
1 Introduction 285
2 Technical Developments 287
3 Perspectives 292
References 293
Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes for High Time Resolution Astrophysics 294
1 Introduction 294
2 Science Case 295
3 Geiger-Mode and Active Quenching 296
4 Design and Fabrication of Shallow Junction Avalanche Photodiodes 300
5 Development of Photon Counting Arrays 305
6 Astronomical Performance 309
7 Conclusions 311
References 312
Transition Edge Cameras for Fast Optical Spectrophotometry 314
1 Transition Edge Sensor Technology in the IR-Opt-UV 314
2 Initial Astronomical Applications 317
3 TES Array Camera Technology 319
4 What Next? 326
References 327
Imaging Photon Counting Detectors for High Time Resolution Astronomy 329
1 Photon Counting Imaging Detectors 329
2 Cross Delay Line Detector 330
3 Cross Delay Line Detector Performance 332
4 High Time Resolution Observations with GALEX 336
5 High Time Resolution Visible Astronomy 339
6 Detector Development 341
References 344
Index 346

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.10.2007
• Reihe/Serie: Astrophysics and Space Science Library
• Reihe/Serie: Astrophysics and Space Science Library
• Zusatzinfo: X, 350 p.
• Verlagsort: Dordrecht
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Astronomie / Astrophysik
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: Astronomy • astronomy books • astrophysics • detectors • detectors in astronomy • High Time Resolution Astrophysics • Instrumentation • Instrumentation for astronomy • measuring time variability • Stellar • Stellar variability • Universe
• ISBN-10: 1-4020-6518-3 / 1402065183
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4020-6518-7 / 9781402065187