arXiv subjects

R. Nakamura

Publications and source records attributed to R. Nakamura.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Observation of Variations in Cosmic Ray Single Count Rates During Thunderstorms and Implications for Large-Scale Electric Field Changes

We present the first observation by the Telescope Array Surface Detector (TASD) of the effect of thunderstorms on the development of cosmic ray single count rate intensity over a 700 km$^{2}$ area. Observations of variations in the secondary low-energy cosmic ray counting rate, using the TASD, allow us to study the electric field inside thunderstorms, on a large scale, as it progresses on top of the 700 km$^{2}$ detector, without dealing with the limitation of narrow exposure in time and space using balloons and aircraft detectors. In this work, variations in the cosmic ray intensity (single count rate) using the TASD, were studied and found to be on average at the $\sim(0.5-1)\%$ and up to 2\% level. These observations were found to be both in excess and in deficit. They were also found to be correlated with lightning in addition to thunderstorms. These variations lasted for tens of minutes; their footprint on the ground ranged from 6 to 24 km in diameter and moved in the same direction as the thunderstorm. With the use of simple electric field models inside the cloud and between cloud to ground, the observed variations in the cosmic ray single count rate were recreated using CORSIKA simulations. Depending on the electric field model used and the direction of the electric field in that model, the electric field magnitude that reproduces the observed low-energy cosmic ray single count rate variations was found to be approximately between 0.2-0.4 GV. This in turn allows us to get a reasonable insight on the electric field and its effect on cosmic ray air showers inside thunderstorms.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Evidence for Declination Dependence of the Ultrahigh Energy Cosmic Ray Spectrum in the Northern Hemisphere

Telescope Array (TA) is the largest experiment in the Northern Hemisphere studying ultrahigh energy cosmic rays. TA measurements of the cosmic ray spectrum using the surface detector have the best statistical power in the experiment, and observe the ankle of the spectrum and the high energy cutoff. When the data are divided into two declination bands, above and below 24.8 degrees, the cutoff appears at $10^{19.64 \pm 0.04}$ ($10^{19.84 \pm 0.02}$) eV in the lower (higher) band, an energy difference of 58\%. The global significance of the difference is 4.3 standard deviations. The lack of an instrumental cause of this difference implies it is astrophysical in nature.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Indications of a Cosmic Ray Source in the Perseus-Pisces Supercluster

The Telescope Array Collaboration has observed an excess of events with $E \ge 10^{19.4} ~{\rm eV}$ in the data which is centered at (RA, dec) = ($19^\circ$, $35^\circ$). This is near the center of the Perseus-Pisces supercluster (PPSC). The PPSC is about $70 ~{\rm Mpc}$ distant and is the closest supercluster in the Northern Hemisphere (other than the Virgo supercluster of which we are a part). A Li-Ma oversampling analysis with $20^\circ$-radius circles indicates an excess in the arrival direction of events with a local significance of about 4 standard deviations. The probability of having such excess close to the PPSC by chance is estimated to be 3.5 standard deviations. This result indicates that a cosmic ray source likely exists in that supercluster.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

Search for Solar Flare Neutrinos with the KamLAND detector

We report the result of a search for neutrinos in coincidence with solar flares from the GOES flare database. The search was performed on a 10.8 kton-year exposure of KamLAND collected from 2002 to 2019. This large exposure allows us to explore previously unconstrained parameter space for solar flare neutrinos. We found no statistical excess of neutrinos and established 90% confidence level upper limits of $8.4 \times 10^7$ cm$^{-2}$ ($3.0 \times 10^{9}$ cm$^{-2}$) on electron anti-neutrino (electron neutrino) fluence at 20 MeV normalized to the X12 flare, assuming that the neutrino fluence is proportional to the X-ray intensity.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

Limits on astrophysical antineutrinos with the KamLAND experiment

We report on a search for electron antineutrinos ($\barν_e$) from astrophysical sources in the neutrino energy range 8.3 to 30.8 MeV with the KamLAND detector. In an exposure of 6.72 kton-year of the liquid scintillator, we observe 18 candidate events via the inverse beta decay reaction. Although there is a large background uncertainty from neutral current atmospheric neutrino interactions, we find no significant excess over background model predictions. Assuming several supernova relic neutrino spectra, we give upper flux limits of 60--110 cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (90% CL) in the analysis range and present a model-independent flux. We also set limits on the annihilation rates for light dark matter pairs to neutrino pairs. These data improves on the upper probability limit of $^{8}$B solar neutrinos converting into $\barν_e$'s, $P_{ν_e \rightarrow \barν_e} < 3.5\times10^{-5}$ (90% CL) assuming an undistorted $\barν_e$ shape. This corresponds to a solar $\barν_e$ flux of 60 cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ (90% CL) in the analysis energy range.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2021

The structure of a perturbed magnetic reconnection electron diffusion region

We report in situ observations of an electron diffusion region (EDR) and adjacent separatrix region. We observe significant magnetic field oscillations near the lower hybrid frequency which propagate perpendicularly to the reconnection plane. We also find that the strong electron-scale gradients close to the EDR exhibit significant oscillations at a similar frequency. Such oscillations are not expected for a crossing of a steady 2D EDR, and can be explained by a complex motion of the reconnection plane induced by current sheet kinking propagating in the out-of-reconnection-plane direction. Thus all three spatial dimensions have to be taken into account to explain the observed perturbed EDR crossing.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2021

Surface detectors of the TAx4 experiment

Telescope Array (TA) is the largest ultrahigh energy cosmic-ray (UHECR) observatory in the Northern Hemisphere. It explores the origin of UHECRs by measuring their energy spectrum, arrival-direction distribution, and mass composition using a surface detector (SD) array covering approximately 700 km$^2$ and fluorescence detector (FD) stations. TA has found evidence for a cluster of cosmic rays with energies greater than 57 EeV. In order to confirm this evidence with more data, it is necessary to increase the data collection rate.We have begun building an expansion of TA that we call TAx4. In this paper, we explain the motivation, design, technical features, and expected performance of the TAx4 SD. We also present TAx4's current status and examples of the data that have already been collected.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2021

A Search for Charged Excitation of Dark Matter with the KamLAND-Zen Detector

There are many theories where a dark matter particle is part of a multiplet with an electrically charged state. If WIMP dark matter ($χ^{0}$) is accompanied by a charged excited state ($χ^{-}$) separated by a small mass difference, it can form a stable bound state with a nucleus. In supersymmetric models, the $χ^{0}$ and the $χ^{-}$ could be the neutralino and a charged slepton, such as the neutralino-stau degenerate model. The formation binding process is expected to result in an energy deposition of {\it O}(1--10 MeV), making it suitable for detection in large liquid scintillator detectors. We describe new constraints on the bound state formation with a xenon nucleus using the KamLAND-Zen 400 Phase-II dataset. In order to enlarge the searchable parameter space, all xenon isotopes in the detector were used. For a benchmark parameter set of $m_{χ^{0}} = 100$ GeV and $Δm = 10$ MeV, this study sets the most stringent upper limits on the recombination cross section $\langleσv\rangle$ and the decay-width of $χ^{-}$ of $2.0 \times 10^{-31}$ ${\rm cm^3/s}$ and $1.1 \times 10^{-18}$ GeV, respectively (90\% confidence level).

hep-ex↗

arXiv2020

Search for Low-energy Electron Antineutrinos in KamLAND Associated with Gravitational Wave Events

We present the results of a search for MeV-scale electron antineutrino events in KamLAND in coincident with the 60 gravitational wave events/candidates reported by the LIGO/Virgo collaboration during their second and third observing runs. We find no significant coincident signals within a $\pm$ 500 s timing window from each gravitational wave and present 90% C.L. upper limits on the electron antineutrino fluence between $10^{8}$-$10^{13}\,{\mathrm cm^2}$ for neutrino energies in the energy range of 1.8-111 MeV.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Observations of the Origin of Downward Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes

In this paper we report the first close, high-resolution observations of downward-directed terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) detected by the large-area Telescope Array cosmic ray observatory, obtained in conjunction with broadband VHF interferometer and fast electric field change measurements of the parent discharge. The results show that the TGFs occur during strong initial breakdown pulses (IBPs) in the first few milliseconds of negative cloud-to-ground and low-altitude intracloud flashes, and that the IBPs are produced by a newly-identified streamer-based discharge process called fast negative breakdown. The observations indicate the relativistic runaway electron avalanches (RREAs) responsible for producing the TGFs are initiated by embedded spark-like transient conducting events (TCEs) within the fast streamer system, and potentially also by individual fast streamers themselves. The TCEs are inferred to be the cause of impulsive sub-pulses that are characteristic features of classic IBP sferics. Additional development of the avalanches would be facilitated by the enhanced electric field ahead of the advancing front of the fast negative breakdown. In addition to showing the nature of IBPs and their enigmatic sub-pulses, the observations also provide a possible explanation for the unsolved question of how the streamer to leader transition occurs during the initial negative breakdown, namely as a result of strong currents flowing in the final stage of successive IBPs, extending backward through both the IBP itself and the negative streamer breakdown preceding the IBP.

physics.ao-ph↗

arXiv2020

Estimation of the electron density from spacecraft potential during high frequency electric field fluctuations

Spacecraft potential has often been used to infer electron density with much higher time resolution than is typically possible with plasma instruments. However, recently two studies by Torkar et al. 2017 and Graham et al. 2018 have shown that external electric fields can also have an effect on the spacecraft potential by enhancing photoelectron escape from the surface. Consequently, should the electron density derived from the spacecraft potential be used during an event with a large electric field, the estimation would be contaminated and the user would see the effects of the electric field rather than density perturbations. The goal of this paper is to propose a method to remove the electric field effects to allow the density derived from spacecraft potential to be used even during large amplitude wave events such as Langmuir waves or upper hybrid waves.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2020

Search for Large-scale Anisotropy on Arrival Directions of Ultra-high-energy Cosmic Rays Observed with the Telescope Array Experiment

Motivated by the detection of a significant dipole structure in the arrival directions of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays above 8 EeV reported by the Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger), we search for a large-scale anisotropy using data collected with the surface detector array of the Telescope Array Experiment (TA). With 11 years of TA data, a dipole structure in a projection of the right ascension is fitted with an amplitude of 3.3+- 1.9% and a phase of 131 +- 33 degrees. The corresponding 99% confidence-level upper limit on the amplitude is 7.3%. At the current level of statistics, the fitted result is compatible with both an isotropic distribution and the dipole structure reported by Auger.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Evidence for a Supergalactic Structure of Magnetic Deflection Multiplets of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays

Evidence for a large-scale supergalactic cosmic ray multiplet (arrival directions correlated with energy) structure is reported for ultra-high energy cosmic ray (UHECR) energies above 10$^{19}$ eV using seven years of data from the Telescope Array (TA) surface detector and updated to 10 years. Previous energy-position correlation studies have made assumptions regarding magnetic field shapes and strength, and UHECR composition. Here the assumption tested is that, since the supergalactic plane is a fit to the average matter density of the local Large Scale Structure (LSS), UHECR sources and intervening extragalactic magnetic fields are correlated with this plane. This supergalactic deflection hypothesis is tested by the entire field-of-view (FOV) behavior of the strength of intermediate-scale energy-angle correlations. These multiplets are measured in spherical cap section bins (wedges) of the FOV to account for coherent and random magnetic fields. The structure found is consistent with supergalactic deflection, the previously published energy spectrum anisotropy results of TA (the hotspot and coldspot), and toy-model simulations of a supergalactic magnetic sheet. The seven year data post-trial significance of this supergalactic structure of multiplets appearing by chance, on an isotropic sky, is found by Monte Carlo simulation to be 4.2$σ$. The ten years of data post-trial significance is 4.1$σ$. Furthermore, the starburst galaxy M82 is shown to be a possible source of the TA Hotspot, and an estimate of the supergalactic magnetic field using UHECR measurements is presented.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Measurement of the Proton-Air Cross Section with Telescope Array's Black Rock Mesa and Long Ridge Fluorescence Detectors, and Surface Array in Hybrid Mode

Ultra high energy cosmic rays provide the highest known energy source in the universe to measure proton cross sections. Though conditions for collecting such data are less controlled than an accelerator environment, current generation cosmic ray observatories have large enough exposures to collect significant statistics for a reliable measurement for energies above what can be attained in the lab. Cosmic ray measurements of cross section use atmospheric calorimetry to measure depth of air shower maximum ($X_{\mathrm{max}}$), which is related to the primary particle's energy and mass. The tail of the $X_{\mathrm{max}}$ distribution is assumed to be dominated by showers generated by protons, allowing measurement of the inelastic proton-air cross section. In this work the proton-air inelastic cross section measurement, $σ^{\mathrm{inel}}_{\mathrm{p-air}}$, using data observed by Telescope Array's Black Rock Mesa and Long Ridge fluorescence detectors and surface detector array in hybrid mode is presented. $σ^{\mathrm{inel}}_{\mathrm{p-air}}$ is observed to be $520.1 \pm 35.8$[Stat.] $^{+25.0}_{-40}$[Sys.]~mb at $\sqrt{s} = 73$ TeV. The total proton-proton cross section is subsequently inferred from Glauber formalism and is found to be $σ^{\mathrm{tot}}_{\mathrm{pp}} = 139.4 ^{+23.4}_{-21.3}$ [Stat.]$ ^{+15.0}_{-24.0}$[Sys.]~mb.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Search for Ultra-High-Energy Neutrinos with the Telescope Array Surface Detector

We present an upper limit on the flux of ultra-high-energy down-going neutrinos for $E > 10^{18}\ \mbox{eV}$ derived with the nine years of data collected by the Telescope Array surface detector (05-11-2008 -- 05-10-2017). The method is based on the multivariate analysis technique, so-called Boosted Decision Trees (BDT). Proton-neutrino classifier is built upon 16 observables related to both the properties of the shower front and the lateral distribution function.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Search for point sources of ultra-high energy photons with the Telescope Array surface detector

The surface detector (SD) of the Telescope Array (TA) experiment allows one to indirectly detect photons with energies of order $10^{18}$ eV and higher and to separate photons from the cosmic-ray background. In this paper we present the results of a blind search for point sources of ultra-high energy (UHE) photons in the Northern sky using the TA SD data. The photon-induced extensive air showers (EAS) are separated from the hadron-induced EAS background by means of a multivariate classifier based upon 16 parameters that characterize the air shower events. No significant evidence for the photon point sources is found. The upper limits are set on the flux of photons from each particular direction in the sky within the TA field of view, according to the experiment's angular resolution for photons. Average 95% C.L. upper limits for the point-source flux of photons with energies greater than $10^{18}$, $10^{18.5}$, $10^{19}$, $10^{19.5}$ and $10^{20}$ eV are $0.094$, $0.029$, $0.010$, $0.0073$ and $0.0058$ km$^{-2}$yr$^{-1}$ respectively. For the energies higher than $10^{18.5}$ eV, the photon point-source limits are set for the first time. Numerical results for each given direction in each energy range are provided as a supplement to this paper.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

On the deviation from Maxwellian of the ion velocity distribution functions in the turbulent magnetosheath

The degree of deviation from the thermodynamic equilibrium in the ion velocity distribution functions (VDFs), measured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission in the Earth's turbulent magnetosheath, is quantitatively investigated. Taking advantage of MMS ion data, having a resolution never reached before in space missions, and of the comparison with Vlasov-Maxwell simulations, this analysis aims at relating any deviation from Maxwellian equilibrium to typical plasma parameters. Correlations of the non-Maxwellian features with plasma quantities such as electric fields, ion temperature, current density and ion vorticity are very similar in both magnetosheath data and numerical experiments, and suggest that distortions in the ion VDFs occur close to (but not exactly at) peaks in current density and ion temperature. Similar results have also been found during a magnetopause crossing by MMS. This work could help clarifying the origin of distortion of the ion VDFs in space plasmas.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2019

Constraints on the diffuse photon flux with energies above $10^{18}$ eV using the surface detector of the Telescope Array experiment

We present the results of the search for ultra-high-energy photons with nine years of data from the Telescope Array surface detector. A multivariate classifier is built upon 16 reconstructed parameters of the extensive air shower. These parameters are related to the curvature and the width of the shower front, the steepness of the lateral distribution function, and the timing parameters of the waveforms sensitive to the shower muon content. A total number of two photon candidates found in the search is fully compatible with the expected background. The $95\%\,$CL limits on the diffuse flux of the photons with energies greater than $10^{18.0}$, $10^{18.5}$, $10^{19.0}$, $10^{19.5}$ and $10^{20.0}$ eV are set at the level of $0.067$, $0.012$, $0.0036$, $0.0013$, $0.0013~\mbox{km}^{-2}\mbox{yr}^{-1}\mbox{sr}^{-1}$ correspondingly.

astro-ph.HE↗