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F. Fuschino

Publications and source records attributed to F. Fuschino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Experimental determination of the energy dependence of the rate of the muon transfer reaction from muonic hydrogen to oxygen for collision energies up to 0.1 eV

We report the first experimental determination of the collision-energy dependence of the muon transfer rate from the ground state of muonic hydrogen to oxygen at near-thermal energies. A sharp increase by nearly an order of magnitude in the energy range 0 - 70 meV was found that is not observed in other gases. The results set a reliable reference for quantum-mechanical calculations of low-energy processes with exotic atoms, and provide firm ground for the measurement of the hyperfine splitting in muonic hydrogen and the determination of the Zemach radius of the proton by the FAMU collaboration.

physics.atom-ph

Laue lenses: Focusing optics for hard X/soft Gamma-ray Astronomy

Hard X-/soft Gamma-ray astronomy is a key field for the study of important astrophysical phenomena such as the electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational waves, gamma-ray bursts, black holes physics and many more. However, the spatial localization, imaging capabilities and sensitivity of the measurements are strongly limited for the energy range $>$70 keV due to the lack of focusing instruments operating in this energy band. A new generation of instruments suitable to focus hard X-/ soft Gamma-rays is necessary to shed light on the nature of astrophysical phenomena which are still unclear due to the limitations of current direct-viewing telescopes. Laue lenses can be the answer to those needs. A Laue lens is an optical device consisting of a large number of properly oriented crystals which are capable, through Laue diffraction, of concentrating the radiation into the common Laue lens focus. In contrast with the grazing incidence telescopes commonly used for softer X-rays, the transmission configuration of the Laue lenses allows us to obtain a significant sensitive area even at energies of hundreds of keV. At the University of Ferrara we are actively working on the modelization and construction of a broad-band Laue lens. In this work we will present the main concepts behind Laue lenses and the latest technological developments of the TRILL (Technological Readiness Increase for Laue Lenses) project, devoted to the advancement of the technological readiness of Laue lenses by developing the first prototype of a lens sector made of cylindrical bent crystals of Germanium.

astro-ph.IM

ASTENA: a mission concept for a deep study of the transient gamma-ray sky and for nuclear astrophysics

Gamma-ray astronomy is a branch whose potential has not yet been fully exploited. The observations of elemental and isotopic abundances in supernova (SN) explosions are key probes not only of the stellar structure and evolution but also for understanding the physics that makes Type-Ia SNe as standard candles for the study of the Universe expansion properties. In spite of its crucial role, nuclear astrophysics remains a poorly explored field mainly for the typical emission lines intensity which are vanishing small and requires very high sensitivities of the telescopes. Furthermore, in spite that the Galactic bulge-dominated intensity of positron annihilation line at 511 keV has been measured, its origin is still a mystery due to the poor angular resolution and insufficient sensitivity of the commonly employed instrumentation in the sub-MeV energy domain. To answer these scientific issues a jump in sensitivity and angular resolution with respect to the present instrumentation is required. Conceived within the EU project AHEAD, a new high energy mission, capable of tackling the previously mentioned topics, has been proposed. This concept of mission named ASTENA (Advanced Surveyor of Transient Events and Nuclear Astrophysics), includes two instruments: a Wide Field Monitor with Imaging and Spectroscopic (WFM-IS, 2 keV - 20 MeV) capabilities and a Narrow Field Telescope (NFT, 50 - 700 keV). Thanks to the combination of angular resolution, sensitivity and large FoV, ASTENA will be a breakthrough in the hard X and soft gamma--ray energy band, also enabling polarimetry in this energy band. In this talk the science goals of the mission are discussed, the payload configuration is described and expected performances in observing key targets are shown.

astro-ph.IM

Design, integration, and test of the scientific payloads on-board the HERMES constellation and the SpIRIT mission

HERMES (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites) is a space-borne mission based on a constellation of nano-satellites flying in a low-Earth orbit (LEO). The six 3U CubeSat buses host new miniaturized instruments hosting a hybrid Silicon Drift Detector/GAGG:Ce scintillator photodetector system sensitive to X-rays and gamma-rays. HERMES will probe the temporal emission of bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), ensuring a fast transient localization (with arcmin-level accuracy) in a field of view of several steradians exploiting the triangulation technique. With a foreseen launch date in late 2023, HERMES transient monitoring represents a keystone capability to complement the next generation of gravitational wave experiments. Moreover, the HERMES constellation will operate in conjunction with the Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) 6U CubeSat, to be launched in early 2023. SpIRIT is an Australian-Italian mission for high-energy astrophysics that will carry in a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) an actively cooled HERMES detector system payload. On behalf of the HERMES collaboration, in this paper we will illustrate the HERMES and SpIRIT payload design, integration and tests, highlighting the technical solutions adopted to allow a wide-energy-band and sensitive X-ray and gamma-ray detector to be accommodated in a 1U Cubesat volume.

astro-ph.IM

On the High-Energy Spectral Component and Fine Time Structure of Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes

Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are very short bursts of gamma radiation associated to thunderstorm activity and are the manifestation of the highest-energy natural particle acceleration phenomena occurring on Earth. Photon energies up to several tens of megaelectronvolts are expected, but the actual upper limit and high-energy spectral shape are still open questions. Results published in 2011 by the AGILE team proposed a high-energy component in TGF spectra extended up to $\approx$100 MeV, which is difficult to reconcile with the predictions from the Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche (RREA) mechanism at the basis of many TGF production models. Here we present a new set of TGFs detected by the AGILE satellite and associated to lightning measurements capable to solve this controversy. Detailed end-to-end Monte Carlo simulations and an improved understanding of the instrument performance under high-flux conditions show that it is possible to explain the observed high-energy counts by a standard RREA spectrum at the source, provided that the TGF is sufficiently bright and short. We investigate the possibility that single high-energy counts may be the signature of a fine-pulsed time structure of TGFs on time scales $\approx$4 μs, but we find no clear evidence for this. The presented data set and modeling results allow also for explaining the observed TGF distribution in the (Fluence x duration) parameter space and suggest that the AGILE TGF detection rate can almost be doubled. Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are very short bursts of gamma radiation associated to thunderstorm activity and are the manifestation of the highest-energy natural particle acceleration phenomena occurring on Earth. (...continues)

physics.space-ph

Measurement of the muon transfer rate from muonic hydrogen to oxygen in the range 70-336 K

The first measurement of the temperature dependence of the muon transfer rate from muonic hydrogen to oxygen was performed by the FAMU collaboration in 2016. The results provide evidence that the transfer rate rises with the temperature in the range 104-300 K. This paper presents the results of the experiment done in 2018 to extend the measurements towards lower (70 K) and higher (336 K) temperatures. The 2018 results confirm the temperature dependence of the muon transfer rate observed in 2016 and sets firm ground for comparison with the theoretical predictions.

physics.atom-ph

The Payload Data Handling Unit (PDHU) on-board the HERMES-TP and HERMES-SP CubeSat Missions

The High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites (HERMES) Technological and Scientific pathfinder is a space borne mission based on a constellation of LEO nanosatellites. The payloads of these CubeSats consist of miniaturized detectors designed for bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). This platform aims to impact Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) science and enhance the detection of Gravitational Wave (GW) electromagnetic counterparts. This goal will be achieved with a field of view of several steradians, arcmin precision and state of the art timing accuracy. The localization performance for the whole constellation is proportional to the number of components and inversely proportional to the average baseline between them, and therefore is expected to increase as more. In this paper we describe the Payload Data Handling Unit (PDHU) for the HERMES-TP and HERMES SP mission. The PDHU is the main interface between the payload and the satellite bus. The PDHU is also in charge of the on-board control and monitoring of the scintillating crystal detectors. We will explain the TM/TC design and the distinct modes of operation. We also discuss the on-board data processing carried out by the PDHU and its impact on the output data of the detector.

astro-ph.IM

The HERMES-TP/SP background and response simulations

HERMES (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites) is an innovative mission aiming to observe transient high-energy events such as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) through a constellation of CubeSats hosting a broadband X and gamma-ray detector. The detector is based on a solid-state Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) coupled to a scintillator crystal, and is sensitive in the 2 keV to 2 MeV band. An accurate evaluation of the foreseen in-orbit instrumental background is essential to assess the scientific performance of the experiment. An outline of the Monte Carlo simulations of the HERMES payload will be provided, describing the various contributions on the total background and the optimization strategies followed in the instrument design. Moreover, the simulations were used in order to derive the effective area and response matrices of the instrument, also as a function of the source location with respect to the detector frame of reference.

astro-ph.IM

The HERMES-Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder

HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder) is a constellation of six 3U nano-satellites hosting simple but innovative X-ray detectors, characterized by a large energy band and excellent temporal resolution, and thus optimized for the monitoring of Cosmic High Energy transients such as Gamma Ray Bursts and the electromagnetic counterparts of Gravitational Wave Events, and for the determination of their positions. The projects are funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and by the Italian Space Agency, and by the European Union Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 821896. HERMES-TP/SP is an in-orbit demonstration, that should be tested starting from 2022. It is intrinsically a modular experiment that can be naturally expanded to provide a global, sensitive all sky monitor for high-energy transients.

astro-ph.HE

The scientific payload on-board the HERMES-TP and HERMES-SP CubeSat missions

HERMES (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites) Technological and Scientific pathfinder is a space borne mission based on a LEO constellation of nano-satellites. The 3U CubeSat buses host new miniaturized detectors to probe the temporal emission of bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). Fast transient localization, in a field of view of several steradians and with arcmin-level accuracy, is gained by comparing time delays among the same event detection epochs occurred on at least 3 nano-satellites. With a launch date in 2022, HERMES transient monitoring represents a keystone capability to complement the next generation of gravitational wave experiments. In this paper we will illustrate the HERMES payload design, highlighting the technical solutions adopted to allow a wide-energy-band and sensitive X-ray and gamma-ray detector to be accommodated in a CubeSat 1U volume together with its complete control electronics and data handling system.

astro-ph.IM

An innovative architecture for a wide band transient monitor on board the HERMES nano-satellite constellation

The HERMES-TP/SP mission, based on a nanosatellite constellation, has very stringent constraints of sensitivity and compactness, and requires an innovative wide energy range instrument. The instrument technology is based on the "siswich" concept, in which custom-designed, low-noise Silicon Drift Detectors are used to simultaneously detect soft X-rays and to readout the optical light produced by the interaction of higher energy photons in GAGG:Ce scintillators. To preserve the inherent excellent spectroscopic performances of SDDs, advanced readout electronics is necessary. In this paper, the HERMES detector architecture concept will be described in detail, as well as the specifically developed front-end ASICs (LYRA-FE and LYRA-BE) and integration solutions. The experimental performance of the integrated system composed by scintillator+SDD+LYRA ASIC will be discussed, demonstrating that the requirements of a wide energy range sensitivity, from 2 keV up to 2 MeV, are met in a compact instrument.

astro-ph.IM

A summary on an investigation of GAGG:Ce afterglow emission in the context of future space applications within the HERMES nanosatellite mission

GAGG:Ce (Cerium-doped Gadolinium Aluminium Gallium Garnet) is a promising new scintillator crystal. A wide array of interesting features, such as high light output, fast decay times, almost non-existent intrinsic background and robustness, make GAGG:Ce an interesting candidate as a component of new space-based gamma-ray detectors. As a consequence of its novelty, literature on GAGG:Ce is still lacking on points crucial to its applicability in space missions. In particular, GAGG:Ce is characterized by unusually high and long-lasting delayed luminescence. This afterglow emission can be stimulated by the interactions between the scintillator and the particles of the near-Earth radiation environment. By contributing to the noise, it will impact the detector performance to some degree. In this manuscript we summarize the results of an irradiation campaign of GAGG:Ce crystals with protons, conducted in the framework of the HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites - Technological and Scientific Pathfinder) mission. A GAGG:Ce sample was irradiated with 70 MeV protons, at doses equivalent to those expected in equatorial and sun-synchronous Low-Earth orbits over orbital periods spanning 6 months to 10 years, time lapses representative of satellite lifetimes. We introduce a new model of GAGG:Ce afterglow emission able to fully capture our observations. Results are applied to the HERMES-TP/SP scenario, aiming at an upper-bound estimate of the detector performance degradation due to the afterglow emission expected from the interaction between the scintillator and the near-Earth radiation environment.

astro-ph.IM

Timing techniques applied to distributed modular high-energy astronomy: the HERMES project

The HERMES-TP/SP (High Energy Rapid Modular Ensemble of Satellites -- Technologic and Scientific Pathfinder) is an in-orbit demonstration of the so-called distributed astronomy concept. Conceived as a mini-constellation of six 3U nano-satellites hosting a new miniaturized detector, HERMES-TP/SP aims at the detection and accurate localisation of bright high-energy transients such as Gamma-Ray Bursts. The large energy band, the excellent temporal resolution and the wide field of view that characterize the detectors of the constellation represent the key features for the next generation high-energy all-sky monitor with good localisation capabilities that will play a pivotal role in the future of Multi-messenger Astronomy. In this work, we will describe in detail the temporal techniques that allow the localisation of bright transient events taking advantage of their almost simultaneous observation by spatially spaced detectors. Moreover, we will quantitatively discuss the all-sky monitor capabilities of the HERMES Pathfinder as well as its achievable accuracies on the localisation of the detected Gamma-Ray Bursts.

astro-ph.HE

First measurement of the temperature dependence of muon transfer rate from muonic hydrogen atoms to oxygen

We report the first measurement of the temperature dependence of muon transfer rate from $μ$p atoms to oxygen between 100 and 300 K. Data were obtained from the X-ray spectra of delayed events in gaseous target H$_2$/O$_2$ exposed to a muon beam. Based on the data, we determined the muon transfer energy dependence up to 0.1 eV, showing an 8-fold increase in contrast with the predictions of constant rate in the low energy limit. This work set constraints on theoretical models of muon transfer, and is of fundamental importance for the measurement of the hyperfine splitting of $μ$p by the FAMU collaboration.

nucl-ex

An X-Ray Burst from a Magnetar Enlightening the Mechanism of Fast Radio Bursts

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are short (millisecond) radio pulses originating from enigmatic sources at extragalactic distances so far lacking a detection in other energy bands. Magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) have been considered as the sources powering the FRBs, but the connection is controversial because of differing energetics and the lack of radio and X-ray detections with similar characteristics in the two classes. We report here the detection by the AGILE satellite on April 28, 2020 of an X-ray burst in coincidence with the very bright radio burst from the Galactic magnetar SGR 1935+2154. The burst detected by AGILE in the hard X-ray band (18-60 keV) lasts about 0.5 seconds, it is spectrally cutoff above 80 keV, and implies an isotropically emitted energy ~ $10^{40}$ erg. This event is remarkable in many ways: it shows for the first time that a magnetar can produce X-ray bursts in coincidence with FRB-like radio bursts; it also suggests that FRBs associated with magnetars may emit X-ray bursts of both magnetospheric and radio-pulse types that may be discovered in nearby sources. Guided by this detection, we discuss SGR 1935+2154 in the context of FRBs, and especially focus on the class of repeating-FRBs. Based on energetics, magnetars with fields B ~ $10^{15}$ G may power the majority of repeating-FRBs. Nearby repeating-FRBs offer a unique occasion to consolidate the FRB-magnetar connection, and we present new data on the X-ray monitoring of nearby FRBs. Our detection enlightens and constrains the physical process leading to FRBs: contrary to previous expectations, high-brightness temperature radio emission coexists with spectrally-cutoff X-ray radiation.

astro-ph.HE

AGILE Observations of Two Repeating Fast Radio Bursts with Small Intrinsic Dispersion Measures

We focus on two repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) recently detected by the CHIME/FRB experiment in 2018--2019 (Source 1: 180916.J0158+65, and Source 2: 181030.J1054+73). These sources have low excess dispersion measures (DMs) ($ < 100 \rm \, pc \, cm^{-3}$ and $ < 20 \rm \, pc \, cm^{-3}$, respectively), implying relatively small maximal distances. They were repeatedly observed by AGILE in the MeV--GeV energy range. We do not detect prompt emission simultaneously with these repeating events. This search is particularly significant for the submillisecond and millisecond integrations obtainable by AGILE. The sources are constrained to emit a MeV-fluence in the millisecond range below $F'_{MeV} = 10^{-8} \, \rm erg \, cm^{-2}$ corresponding to an isotropic energy near $E_{MeV,UL} \simeq 2 \times 10^{46}\,$erg for a distance of 150 Mpc (applicable to Source 1). We also searched for $γ$-ray emission for time intervals up to 100 days, obtaining 3$\,σ$ upper limits (ULs) for the average isotropic luminosity above 50 MeV, $L_{γ,UL} \simeq \,$(5-10)$\,\times 10^{43} \rm \, erg \, s^{-1}$. For a source distance near 100 kpc (possibly applicable to Source 2), our ULs imply $E_{MeV,UL}\simeq10^{40} \rm erg$, and $L_{γ,UL} \simeq \,$2$\,\times 10^{37} \rm \, erg \, s^{-1}$. Our results are significant in constraining the high-energy emission of underlying sources such as magnetars, or other phenomena related to extragalactic compact objects, and show the prompt emission to be lower than the peak of the 2004 magnetar outburst of SGR 1806-20 for source distances less than about 100 Mpc.

astro-ph.HE

FAMU: study of the energy dependent transfer rate $Λ_{μp \rightarrow μO}$

The main goal of the FAMU experiment is the measurement of the hyperfine splitting (hfs) in the 1S state of muonic hydrogen $ΔE_{hfs}(μ^-p)1S$. The physical process behind this experiment is the following: $μp$ are formed in a mixture of hydrogen and a higher-Z gas. When absorbing a photon at resonance-energy $ΔE_{hfs}\approx0.182$~eV, in subsequent collisions with the surrounding $H_2$ molecules, the $μp$ is quickly de-excited and accelerated by $\sim2/3$ of the excitation energy. The observable is the time distribution of the K-lines X-rays emitted from the $μZ$ formed by muon transfer $(μp) +Z \rightarrow (μZ)^*+p$, a reaction whose rate depends on the $μp$ kinetic energy. The maximal response, to the tuned laser wavelength, of the time distribution of X-ray from K-lines of the $(μZ)^*$ cascade indicate the resonance. During the preparatory phase of the FAMU experiment, several measurements have been performed both to validate the methodology and to prepare the best configuration of target and detectors for the spectroscopic measurement. We present here the crucial study of the energy dependence of the transfer rate from muonic hydrogen to oxygen ($Λ_{μp \rightarrow μO}$), precisely measured for the first time.

nucl-ex

HERMES: An ultra-wide band X and gamma-ray transient monitor on board a nano-satellite constellation

The High Energy Modular Ensemble of Satellites (HERMES) project is aimed to realize a modular X/gamma-ray monitor for transient events, to be placed on-board of a CubeSat bus. This expandable platform will achieve a significant impact on Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) science and on the detection of Gravitational Wave (GW) electromagnetic counterparts: the recent LIGO/VIRGO discoveries demonstrated that the high-energy transient sky is still a field of extreme interest. The very complex temporal variability of GRBs (up to the millisecond scale) combined with the spatial and temporal coincidence between GWs and their electromagnetic counterparts suggest that upcoming instruments require sub-ms time resolution combined with a transient localization accuracy lower than a degree. The current phase of the ongoing HERMES project is focused on the realization of a technological pathfinder with a small network (3 units) of nano-satellites to be launched in mid 2020. We will show the potential and prospects for short and medium-term development of the project, demonstrating the disrupting possibilities for scientific investigations provided by the innovative concept of a new "modular astronomy" with nano-satellites (e.g. low developing costs, very short realization time). Finally, we will illustrate the characteristics of the HERMES Technological Pathfinder project, demonstrating how the scientific goals discussed are actually already reachable with the first nano-satellites of this constellation. The detector architecture will be described in detail, showing that the new generation of scintillators (e.g. GAGG:Ce) coupled with very performing Silicon Drift Detectors (SDD) and low noise Front-End-Electronics (FEE) are able to extend down to few keV the sensitivity band of the detector. The technical solutions for FEE, Back-End-Electronics (BEE) and Data Handling will be also described.

astro-ph.IM