arXiv subjects

V. Scalzotto

Publications and source records attributed to V. Scalzotto.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2011

Measurement of the cosmic electron plus positron spectrum with the MAGIC telescopes

Cosmic electrons with energies in the TeV range lose their energy rapidly through synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton processes, resulting in a relatively short lifetime (~ 10^5 years). They are only visible from comparatively nearby sources (<1 kpc). Unexpected features in their spectrum at a few hundreds GeV, as measured by several experiments (ATIC, Fermi and H.E.S.S. among others), might be caused by local sources such as pulsars or by dark matter annihilation/decay. In order to investigate these possibilities, new measurements in the TeV energy region are needed. Since the completion of the stereo system, the MAGIC Cherenkov experiment is sensitive enough to measure the cosmic electron flux between a few hundred GeV and few TeV. The electron signal has to be extracted from the overwhelming background of hadronic cosmic rays estimated through Monte Carlo simulations. Here we present the first results of the cosmic electron spectrum measured with the MAGIC telescopes.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

Performance of the MAGIC Stereo System

MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes sensitive above ~60 GeV, and located on the Canary Island of La Palma at the height of 2200 m.a.s.l. Since Autumn 2009 both telescopes are working together in stereoscopic mode. We use both Crab Nebula observations and Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the performance of the system. Advanced stereo analysis allows MAGIC to achieve a sensitivity better than 0.8% of the Crab Nebula flux in 50 h of observations in the medium energy range (around a few hundred GeV). At those energies the angular resolution is better than 0.07{\circ}, and the energy resolution is as good as 16%. We perform also a detailed study of possible systematics effects for the MAGIC telescopes.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

MARS, the MAGIC Analysis and Reconstruction Software

With the commissioning of the second MAGIC gamma-ray Cherenkov telescope situated close to MAGIC-I, the standard analysis package of the MAGIC collaboration, MARS, has been upgraded in order to perform the stereoscopic reconstruction of the detected atmospheric showers. MARS is a ROOT-based code written in C++, which includes all the necessary algorithms to transform the raw data recorded by the telescopes into information about the physics parameters of the observed targets. An overview of the methods for extracting the basic shower parameters is presented, together with a description of the tools used in the background discrimination and in the estimation of the gamma-ray source spectra.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Performance of the MAGIC telescopes in stereoscopic mode

The MAGIC gamma-ray observatory has recently been upgraded by a second Cherenkov telescope at a distance of 85 m from the first one. Simultaneous observation of air showers with the two MAGIC telescopes (stereoscopic mode) will improve the reconstruction of the shower axis and solve the ambiguity in the impact point occurring in single-telescope mode. Also, the stereo observation will result in a better angular resolution, energy estimation and cosmic-ray background rejection. It is expected that the sensitivity of MAGIC improves significantly over the full energy range (60 GeV - 20 TeV). Here, we present the performance estimated from Monte Carlo simulations.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2008

A novel background reduction strategy for high level triggers and processing in gamma-ray Cherenkov detectors

Gamma ray astronomy is now at the leading edge for studies related both to fundamental physics and astrophysics. The sensitivity of gamma detectors is limited by the huge amount of background, constituted by hadronic cosmic rays (typically two to three orders of magnitude more than the signal) and by the accidental background in the detectors. By using the information on the temporal evolution of the Cherenkov light, the background can be reduced. We will present here the results obtained within the MAGIC experiment using a new technique for the reduction of the background. Particle showers produced by gamma rays show a different temporal distribution with respect to showers produced by hadrons; the background due to accidental counts shows no dependence on time. Such novel strategy can increase the sensitivity of present instruments.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Using the photons from the Crab Nebula seen by GLAST to calibrate MAGIC and the Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes

In this article we discuss the possibility of using the observations by GLAST of standard gamma sources, as the Crab Nebula, to calibrate Imaging Air Cherenkov detectors, MAGIC in particular, and optimise their energy resolution. We show that at around 100 GeV the absolute energy calibration uncertainty of Cherenkov telescopes can be reduced to <10% by means of such cross-calibration procedure.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

The MAGIC Experiment and Its First Results

With its diameter of 17m, the MAGIC telescope is the largest Cherenkov detector for gamma ray astrophysics. It is sensitive to photons above an energy of 30 GeV. MAGIC started operations in October 2003 and is currently taking data. This report summarizes its main characteristics, its rst results and its potential for physics.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Dark matter detection in gamma astroparticle experiments

The content of matter in the Universe is estimated to be the 27% of its critical density. It is almost universally accepted that most ot this matter is non-baryonic. Constraints from primordial nucleosynthesis and cosmic background radiation measurements impose that the baryonic content of the Universe cannot exceed the 4% of the critical density, so the nature of the remaining 23% has yet to be identi ed. In this sense, one of the most promising candidates is represented by supersymmetric neutralinos. If they exist, they give rise to relic densities in the required range, and are very well motivated in the framework of theoretical extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. In addition to direct neutralino searches and collider experiments, neutralino annihilation into gamma rays, neutrinos and synchrotron emission from the charged products represents a reliable way of detecting these intriguing particles. The strongest signals are expected to come from the Galactic Center and from the nearest dwarf spheroidals. Clumps of dark matter in galactic haloes are well predicted by high resolution cold dark matter numerical simulations. In this work we present our studies on the gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Center and from the Draco dwarf spheroidal. We investigate the e ect of clumpiness on the detection of signals from neutalinos for di erent mass density pro les. One of the scienti c goals of the MAGIC telescope are just searches for the stable lightest supersymmetric particle in the di erent physical scenarios in which they are produed. Assuming MAGIC speci cations, we draw some conclusions about the potentialities of this telescope in such a kind of investigation.

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