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T. Montaruli

Publications and source records attributed to T. Montaruli.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2011

TeV and Multi-wavelength Observations of Mrk 421 in 2006-2008

We report on TeV gamma-ray observations of the blazar Mrk 421 (redshift of 0.031) with the VERITAS observatory and the Whipple 10m Cherenkov telescope. The excellent sensitivity of VERITAS allowed us to sample the TeV gamma-ray fluxes and energy spectra with unprecedented accuracy where Mrk 421 was detected in each of the pointings. A total of 47.3 hrs of VERITAS and 96 hrs of Whipple 10m data were acquired between January 2006 and June 2008. We present the results of a study of the TeV gamma-ray energy spectra as a function of time, and for different flux levels. On May 2nd and 3rd, 2008, bright TeV gamma-ray flares were detected with fluxes reaching the level of 10 Crab. The TeV gamma-ray data were complemented with radio, optical, and X-ray observations, with flux variability found in all bands except for the radio waveband. The combination of the RXTE and Swift X-ray data reveal spectral hardening with increasing flux levels, often correlated with an increase of the source activity in TeV gamma-rays. Contemporaneous spectral energy distributions were generated for 18 nights, each of which are reasonably described by a one-zone SSC model.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2011

A Fast Algorithm for Muon Track Reconstruction and its Application to the ANTARES Neutrino Telescope

An algorithm is presented, that provides a fast and robust reconstruction of neutrino induced upward-going muons and a discrimination of these events from downward-going atmospheric muon background in data collected by the ANTARES neutrino telescope. The algorithm consists of a hit merging and hit selection procedure followed by fitting steps for a track hypothesis and a point-like light source. It is particularly well-suited for real time applications such as online monitoring and fast triggering of optical follow-up observations for multi-messenger studies. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated with Monte Carlo simulations and various distributions are compared with that obtained in ANTARES data.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2011

The ANTARES Telescope Neutrino Alert System

The ANTARES telescope has the capability to detect neutrinos produced in astrophysical transient sources. Potential sources include gamma-ray bursts, core collapse supernovae, and flaring active galactic nuclei. To enhance the sensitivity of ANTARES to such sources, a new detection method based on coincident observations of neutrinos and optical signals has been developed. A fast online muon track reconstruction is used to trigger a network of small automatic optical telescopes. Such alerts are generated for special events, such as two or more neutrinos, coincident in time and direction, or single neutrinos of very high energy.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2010

Time Calibration of the ANTARES Neutrino Telescope

The ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope comprises a three-dimensional array of photomultipliers to detect the Cherenkov light induced by upgoing relativistic charged particles originating from neutrino interactions in the vicinity of the detector. The large scattering length of light in the deep sea facilitates an angular resolution of a few tenths of a degree for neutrino energies exceeding 10 TeV. In order to achieve this optimal performance, the time calibration procedures should ensure a relative time calibration between the photomultipliers at the level of about 1ns. The methods developed to attain this level of precision are described.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2010

Search for a diffuse flux of high-energy $ν_μ$ with the ANTARES neutrino telescope

A search for a diffuse flux of astrophysical muon neutrinos, using data collected by the ANTARES neutrino telescope is presented. A $(0.83\times 2π)$ sr sky was monitored for a total of 334 days of equivalent live time. The searched signal corresponds to an excess of events, produced by astrophysical sources, over the expected atmospheric neutrino background. The observed number of events is found compatible with the background expectation. Assuming an $E^{-2}$ flux spectrum, a 90% c.l. upper limit on the diffuse $ν_μ$ flux of $E^2Φ_{90%} = 5.3 \times 10^{-8} \ \mathrm{GeV\ cm^{-2}\ s^{-1}\ sr^{-1}} $ in the energy range 20 TeV - 2.5 PeV is obtained. Other signal models with different energy spectra are also tested and some rejected.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2009

Multiwavelength Observations of Markarian 421 in 2005 - 2006

Since September 2005, the Whipple 10m Gamma-ray Telescope has been operated primarily as a blazar monitor. The five Northern Hemisphere blazars that have already been detected at the Whipple Observatory, Markarian 421, H1426+428, Markarian 501, 1ES 1959+650 and 1ES 2344+514, are monitored routinely each night that they are visible. We report on the Markarian 421 observations taken from November 2005 to June 2006 in the gamma-ray, X-ray, optical and radio bands. During this time, Markarian 421 was found to be variable at all wavelengths probed. Both the variability and the correlations among different energy regimes are studied in detail here. A tentative correlation, with large spread, was measured between the X-ray and gamma-ray bands, while no clear correlation was evident among the other energy bands. In addition to this, the well-sampled spectral energy distribution of Markarian 421 (1101+384) is presented for three different activity levels. The observations of the other blazar targets will be reported separately.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2007

Results from the Blazar Monitoring Campaign at the Whipple 10m Gamma-ray Telescope

In September 2005, the observing program of the Whipple 10 m gamma-ray telescope was redefined to be dedicated almost exclusively to AGN monitoring. Since then the five Northern Hemisphere blazars that had already been detected at Whipple are monitored routinely each night that they are visible. Thanks to the efforts of a large number of multiwavelength collaborators, the first year of this program has been very successful. We report here on the analysis of Markarian 421 observations taken from November, 2005 to May, 2006 in the gamma-ray, X-ray, optical and radio bands.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2004

Galactic discrete sources of high energy neutrinos

We review recently developed models of galactic discrete sources of high energy neutrinos. Some of them are based on a simple rescaling of the TeV $γ$-ray fluxes from recently detected galactic sources, such as, shell-type supernova remnants or pulsar wind nebulae. Others present detailed and originally performed modeling of processes occurring close to compact objects, i.e. neutron stars and low mass black holes, which are supposed to accelerate hadrons close to dense matter and radiation fields. Most of the models considered in this review optimistically assume that the energy content in relativistic hadrons is equal to a significant part of the maximum observable power output in specific sources, i.e. typically $\sim 10%$. This may give a large overestimation of the neutrino fluxes. This is the case of models which postulate neutrino production in hadron-photon collisions already at the acceleration place, due to the likely $e^\pm$ pair plasma domination. Models postulating neutrino production in hadron-hadron collisions avoid such problems and therefore seem to be more promising. The neutrino telescopes currently taking data have not detected any excess from discrete sources yet, although some models could already be constrained by the limits they are providing.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

Astrophysical tau neutrinos and their detection by large neutrino telescopes

We present results of the detailed Monte Carlo calculation of the rates of double-bang events in 1 km$^3$ underwater neutrino telescope with taking into account the effects of $τ$-neutrino propagation through the Earth. As an input, the moderately optimistic theoretical predictions for diffuse neutrino spectra of AGN jets are used.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

High energy extension of the FLUKA atmospheric neutrino flux

The atmospheric neutrino flux calculated with FLUKA was originally limited to 100-200 GeV for statistical reasons. In order to make it available for the analysis of high energy events, like upward through-going muons detected by neutrino telescopes, we have extended the calculation so to provide a reliable neutrino yield per primary nucleon up to about 10**6 GeV/nucleon, as far as the interaction model is concerned. We point out that the primary flux model above 100 GeV/nucleon still contributes with an important systematic error to the neutrino flux.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2003

Detection of tau neutrinos in underwater neutrino telescopes

If neutrinos produced in astrophysics sources oscillate, neutrino telescopes can have a chance to detect signals from tau-neutrinos. We present an estimate of the 'double bang' event rate produced by tau neutrinos in cubic kilometer scale detectors.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2003

The FLUKA atmospheric neutrino flux calculation

The 3-dimensional (3-D) calculation of the atmospheric neutrino flux by means of the FLUKA Monte Carlo model is here described in all details, starting from the latest data on primary cosmic ray spectra. The importance of a 3-D calculation and of its consequences have been already debated in a previous paper. Here instead the focus is on the absolute flux. We stress the relevant aspects of the hadronic interaction model of FLUKA in the atmospheric neutrino flux calculation. This model is constructed and maintained so to provide a high degree of accuracy in the description of particle production. The accuracy achieved in the comparison with data from accelerators and cross checked with data on particle production in atmosphere certifies the reliability of shower calculation in atmosphere. The results presented here can be already used for analysis by current experiments on atmospheric neutrinos. However they represent an intermediate step towards a final release, since this calculation does not yet include the bending of charged particles in atmosphere. On the other hand this last aspect, while requiring a considerable effort in a fully 3-D description of the Earth, if a high level of accuracy has to be maintained, does not affect in a significant way the analysis of atmospheric neutrino events.

hep-ph↗
arXiv2002

The ANTARES project

The ANTARES deep-sea neutrino telescope will be located at a depth of 2400 m in the Mediterranean Sea. Deployment of the detector will commence this Autumn and is expected to be completed by the end of 2004. With a surface area of the order of 0.1 km^2 it will be one of the largest European detectors. The aim of neutrino telescopes is to detect high-energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources whilst also providing information on the early Universe. Successful operation of ANTARES in a deep sea environment constitutes an important milestone towards the ultimate goal of the construction of an underwater neutrino telescope at the cubic-kilometre scale. The sky coverage of astrophysical sources offered by a Mediterranean neutrino telescope is complementary to any similar device at the South Pole. The current status of the project is discussed and the expected performance of the detector is described in the context of the scientific programme of the project which comprises astrophysical studies, dark matter searches and neutrino oscillations.

astro-ph↗
arXiv2002

Status report of the ANTARES project

The ANTARES project aims at the construction of an underwater neutrino telescope at the scale of 0.1 km^2 2400 m deep in the Mediterranean Sea. After a 4-year R&D program, the ANTARES project has entered the construction phase which will be concluded by the end of 2004. The current status of the project is reported.

hep-ex↗
arXiv2001

Comparison of the FLUKA calculations with CAPRICE94 data on muons in atmosphere

In order to benchmark the 3-dimensional calculation of the atmospheric neutrino flux based on the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, muon fluxes in the atmosphere have been computed and compared with data taken by the CAPRICE94 experiment at ground level and at different altitudes in the atmosphere. For this purpose only two additions have been introduced with respect to the neutrino flux calculation: the specific solar modulation corresponding to the period of data taking and the bending of charged particles in the atmosphere. Results are in good agreement with experimental data, although improvements in the model are possible. At this level, however, it is not possible to disentangle the interplay between the primary flux and the interaction model.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

A 3-Dimensional Calculation of Atmospheric Neutrino Flux

An extensive 3-dimensional Monte Carlo calculation of the atmospheric neutrino flux is in progress with the FLUKA Monte Carlo code. The results are compared to those obtained under the 1-dimensional approximation, where secondary particles and decay products are assumed to be collinear to the primary cosmic ray, as usually done in most of the already existing flux calculations. It is shown that the collinear approximation gives rise to a wrong angular distribution of neutrinos, essentially in the Sub-GeV region. However, the angular smearing introduced by the experimental inability of detecting recoils in neutrino interactions with nuclei is large enough to wash out, in practice, most of the differences between 3-dimensional and 1-dimensional flux calculations. Therefore, the use of the collinear approximation should have not introduced a significant bias in the determination of the flavor oscillation parameters in current experiments.

hep-ph↗
arXiv1999

Capabilities of an Underwater Detector as a Neutrino Telescope and for the Neutrino Oscillation Search

We report on the results of a Monte Carlo simulation study of a km^3 scale deep underwater Cherenkov detector aimed at detecting neutrinos of astrophysical origin. This analysis has been undertaken as part of the NEMO R&D project to develop such an experiment close to the Southern Italian coasts. We have studied the reconstruction capabilities of various arrays of phototubes in order to determine the detector geometries which optimize performance and cost. We have also investigated the possibility of designing a detector with characteristics suited to an experiment on atmospheric neutrino oscillations.

hep-ex↗