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

Instrumentation Projects

The cosmic rays - 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 during a three year mission.

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 engineering model is being built at AlbaNova, with a first flight proposed for 2009–10. 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/GLAST 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 and in active galactic nuclei, and searches for dark matter

Contact: Felix Ryde