Astroparticle Physics
We belong to the Particle
and Astroparticle Physics
group at the Physics Department
of KTH at the AlbaNova University Centre in
Stockholm.
Our group is part of the Oskar Klein Centre (OKC) for cosmoparticle physics. We take part in the sections for Physics of Extreme Objects and for Dark Matter.
Head of group: Professor Mark Pearce
Research
The group conducts research on the high-energy universe through the study of
X- and gamma-radiation and cosmic rays. The fundamental
scientific questions addressed concern particle acceleration and
radiation processes in cosmic plasmas, in the galaxy and around compact
objects, in particular the understanding of dark matter, gamma-ray
bursts, the origin of cosmic rays, and emission mechanisms from compact
objects. The focus is on design and development of
strategic satellite- and balloon-borne instrumentation, as well as on
the analysis and astrophysical interpretation of the data obtained with
these instruments. The group has actively participated in
experiments measuring different aspects of the cosmic radiation for
more than a decade.
We also take part of the H.E.S.S collaboration
The Cosmic ray antiparticles
PAMELA (Payload for
Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics) is a
particle detector system which will be placed on-board a Russian Resurs
DK-1 satellite. The launch was on 2006 from Baikonur. The primary
objective of PAMELA is to measure the energy spectrum of antiprotons
and positrons in the cosmic radiation.
Contact:
Mark Pearce
Gamma-rays - Polarisation and relativistic jets
PoGOLite (Polarized Gamma ray
Observer) is a new balloon-borne instrument designed to measure
the polarization of soft gamma rays. The group’s responsibility is the BGO anticoincidence shield, and parts of the attitude control system. The PoGOLite instrument is being built at AlbaNova, and the first flight was performed in July 2011 (aborted due to ballooon failure). A new circumpolar flight is planned for July 2012. This instrument will bring a new
dimension to studies of gamma ray emission in pulsars, AGNs(Active
Galactic Nuclei), black hole binaries and neutron star surfaces.
Contact:
Mark Pearce
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is a next generation high-energy gamma-ray observatory making observations of celestial gamma-ray sources in the
energy range 10 MeV - 300 GeV. The group provided CsI(Tl) crystals for the Fermi electromagnetic calorimeter; Fermi was launched in June
2008. Our research interests include study of the high-energy emission and particle acceleration processes in gamma-ray bursts, pulsars, and in active galactic nuclei.
Contact:
Felix Ryde
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