arXiv subjects

P. Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to P. Roberts.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Computation of Charged-Particle Transfer Maps for General Fields and Geometries Using Electromagnetic Boundary-Value Data

Three-dimensional field distributions from realistic beamline elements can be obtained only by measurement or by numerical solution of a boundary-value problem. In numerical charged-particle map generation, fields along a reference trajectory are differentiated multiple times. Any attempt to differentiate directly such field data multiple times is soon dominated by "noise" due to finite meshing and/or measurement errors. This problem can be overcome by the use of field data on a surface outside of the reference trajectory to reconstruct the fields along and around the reference trajectory. The integral kernels for Laplace's equation that provide interior fields in terms of boundary data or boundary sources are smoothing: interior fields will be analytic even if the boundary data or source distributions fail to be differentiable or are even discontinuous. In our approach, we employ all three components of the field on the surface to find a superposition of single-layer and double-layer surface source distributions that can be used together with simple, surface-shape-independent kernels for computing vector potentials and their multiple derivatives (required for a Hamiltonian map integration) at interior points. These distributions and kernels are found by the aid of Helmholtz's theorem (or equivalently, by Green's theorem). A novel application of the Dirac-monopole vector potential is used to find a kernel for the single-layer distribution. These methods are the basis for map-generating modules that can be added to existing numerical electromagnetic field-solving codes and would produce transfer maps to any order for arbitrary static charged-particle beamline elements.

physics.acc-ph↗

arXiv2010

Status and Strategies of Current LUNASKA Lunar Cherenkov Observations with the Parkes Radio Telescope

LUNASKA (Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array) is an ongoing project conducting lunar Cherenkov observations in order to develop techniques for detecting neutrinos with the next generation of radio telescopes. Our current observing campaign is with the 64-metre Parkes radio telescope, using a multibeam receiver with 300 MHz of bandwidth from 1.2-1.5 GHz. Here we provide an overview of the various factors that must be considered in the signal processing for such an experiment. We also briefly describe the flux limits which we expect to set with our current observations, including a directional limit for Centaurus A.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

LUNASKA Experiment Observational Limits on UHE Neutrinos from Centaurus A and the Galactic Center

We present the first observational limits to the ultra-high energy (UHE) neutrino flux from the Galactic Center, and from Centaurus A which is the nearest active galactic nucleus (AGN). These results are based on our "Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics using the Square Kilometer Array" (LUNASKA) project experiments at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). We also derive limits for the previous experiments and compare these limits with expectations for acceleration and super-heavy dark matter models of the origin of UHE cosmic rays.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

LUNASKA experiments using the Australia Telescope Compact Array to search for ultra-high energy neutrinos and develop technology for the lunar Cherenkov technique

We describe the design, performance, sensitivity and results of our recent experiments using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) for lunar Cherenkov observations with a very wide (600 MHz) bandwidth and nanosecond timing, including a limit on an isotropic neutrino flux. We also make a first estimate of the effects of small-scale surface roughness on the effective experimental aperture, finding that contrary to expectations, such roughness will act to increase the detectability of near-surface events over the neutrino energy-range at which our experiment is most sensitive (though distortions to the time-domain pulse profile may make identification more difficult). The aim of our "Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics using the Square Kilometer Array" (LUNASKA) project is to develop the lunar Cherenkov technique of using terrestrial radio telescope arrays for ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic ray (CR) and neutrino detection, and in particular to prepare for using the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and its path-finders such as the Australian SKA Pathfinder (ASKAP) and the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) for lunar Cherenkov experiments.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Experimental set-up of the LUNASKA lunar Cherenkov observations at the ATCA

This contribution describes the experimental set-up implemented by the LUNASKA project at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) to enable the radio-telescope to be used to search for pulses of coherent Cherenkov radiation from UHE particle interactions in the Moon with an unprecedented bandwidth, and hence sensitivity. Our specialised hardware included analogue de-dispersion filters to coherently correct for the dispersion expected of a ~nanosecond pulse in the Earth's ionosphere over our wide (600 MHz) bandwidth, and FPGA-based digitising boards running at 2.048 GHz for pulse detection. The trigger algorithm is described, as are the methods used discriminate between terrestrial RFI and true lunar pulses. We also outline the next stage of hardware development expected to be used in our 2010 observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

Results of LUNASKA lunar Cherenkov observations at the ATCA

The lunar Cherenkov technique is a method to use radio-telescopes to detect ultra-high energy cosmic rays (CR) and neutrinos ($ν$). By observing the short-duration ($\sim$few nanosecond) pulses of coherent Cherenkov radiation emitted from particle cascades via the Askaryan Effect in the Moon's outer layers (nominally the regolith), the primary particles initiating the cascades may be identified. Our collaboration (LUNASKA) aims to develop the technique to be used with the next generation of giant radio-arrays. Here, we present the results of our two preliminary UHE particle searches using this technique with three antennas at the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) during February and May 2008.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

Status Report and Future Prospects on LUNASKA Lunar Observations with ATCA

LUNASKA (Lunar UHE Neutrino Astrophysics with the Square Kilometre Array) is a theoretical and experimental project developing the lunar Cherenkov technique for the next generation of giant radio-telescope arrays. Here we report on a series of observations with ATCA (the Australia Telescope Compact Array). Our current observations use three of the six 22m ATCA antennas with a 600 MHz bandwidth at 1.2-1.8 GHz, analogue dedispersion filters to correct for the typical night-time ionospheric dispersion, and state-of-the-art 2 GHz FPGA-based digital pulse detection hardware. We have observed so as to maximise the UHE neutrino sensitivity in the region surrounding the galactic centre and to Centaurus A, to which current limits on the highest-energy neutrinos are relatively weak.

astro-ph↗