arXiv subjects

G. Puhlhofer

Publications and source records attributed to G. Puhlhofer.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Search for gamma-ray spectral lines from dark matter annihilation with the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey

Spectral gamma-ray line features are expected as key signatures from dark matter (DM) annihilations of TeV-scale particle DM. Observations of the Galactic Centre with atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes are unique to probe thermal-relic TeV particle DM, well beyond the reach of direct detection and collider searches. We report here on the search for line signals in very-high-energy gamma rays using data from the Inner Galaxy Survey, consisting of 546 hours of H.E.S.S. observations of the inner few degrees of the Galactic Centre. No significant signal is detected. We then compute the exclusion limits on the annihilation line cross section $\langle σv \rangle_{\rm line}$, with a two-dimensional log-likelihood ratio test statistics, exploiting spectral and spatial features of the DM signal. Assuming an Einasto DM density profile for the Milky Way, our results provide the most constraining limits so far, reaching $\langle σv \rangle_{\rm line} = 2.3$ $\times$ $10^{-28}$ and $2.4 \times$ $10^{-27}$ cm$^3$s$^{-1}$ for DM masses of 1 and 10 TeV, respectively. The present limits are used to constrain the widely searched Wino, Higgsino and Quintuplet models. For the first time, thermal Higgsino DM is probed for DM Milky Way models.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Search for dark matter annihilation signals in the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey

The central region of the Milky Way is one of the foremost locations to look for dark matter (DM) signatures. We report the first results on a search for DM particle annihilation signals using new observations from an unprecedented gamma-ray survey of the Galactic Center (GC) region, ${\it i.e.}$, the Inner Galaxy Survey, at very high energies ($\gtrsim$ 100 GeV) performed with the H.E.S.S. array of five ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. No significant gamma-ray excess is found in the search region of the 2014-2020 dataset and a profile likelihood ratio analysis is carried out to set exclusion limits on the annihilation cross section $\langle σv\rangle$. Assuming Einasto and Navarro-Frenk-White (NFW) DM density profiles at the GC, these constraints are the strongest obtained so far in the TeV DM mass range. For the Einasto profile, the constraints reach $\langle σv\rangle$ values of $\rm 3.7\times10^{-26} cm^3s^{-1}$ for 1.5 TeV DM mass in the $W^+W^-$ annihilation channel, and $\rm 1.2 \times 10^{-26} cm^3s^{-1}$ for 0.7 TeV DM mass in the $τ^+τ^-$ annihilation channel. With the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey, ground-based $γ$-ray observations thus probe $\langle σv\rangle$ values expected from thermal-relic annihilating TeV DM particles.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

A Supernova Remnant Counterpart for HESS J1832-085

We examine the new Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) candidate, G23.11+0.18, as seen by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) radio telescope. We describe the morphology of the candidate and find a spectral index of -0.63+/-0.05 in the 70-170MHz domain. A coincident TeV gamma-ray detection in High-Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) data supports the SNR nature of G23.11+0.18 and suggests that G23.11+0.18 is accelerating particles beyond TeV energies, thus making this object a promising new cosmic ray hadron source candidate. The remnant cannot be seen in current optical, infrared and X-ray data-sets. We do find, however, a dip in CO-traced molecular gas at a line-of-sight velocity of ~85 km/s, suggesting the existence of a G23.11+0.18 progenitor wind-blown bubble. Furthermore, the discovery of molecular gas clumps at a neighbouring velocity towards HESS J1832-085 adheres to the notion that a hadronic gamma-ray production mechanism is plausible towards the north of the remnant. Based on these morphological arguments, we propose an interstellar medium association for G23.11+0.18 at a kinematic distance of 4.6+/-0.8 kpc.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

AtmoHEAD 2013 workshop / Atmospheric Monitoring for High-Energy Astroparticle Detectors

A 3-day international workshop on atmospheric monitoring and calibration for high-energy astroparticle detectors, with a view towards next-generation facilities. The atmosphere is an integral component of many high-energy astroparticle detectors. Imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes and cosmic-ray extensive air shower detectors are the two instruments driving the rapidly evolving fields of very-high- and ultra-high-energy astrophysics. In these instruments, the atmosphere is used as a giant calorimeter where cosmic rays and gamma rays deposit their energy and initiate EASs; it is also the medium through which the resulting Cherenkov light propagates. Uncertainties in real-time atmospheric conditions and in the fixed atmospheric models typically dominate all other systematic errors. With the improved sensitivity of upgraded IACTs such as H.E.S.S.-II and MAGIC-II and future facilities like the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) and JEM-EUSO, statistical uncertainties are expected to be significantly reduced, leaving the atmosphere as the limiting factor in the determination of astroparticle spectra. Varying weather conditions necessitate the development of suitable atmospheric monitoring to be integrated in the overall instrument calibration, including Monte Carlo simulations. With expertise distributed across multiple collaborations and scientific domains, an interdisciplinary workshop is being convened to advance progress on this critical and timely topic.

astro-ph.IM↗