arXiv subjects

Y. Yatsu

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Yatsu.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Revisiting the ARM cut in Compton gamma-ray imaging and its application to the INSPIRE detector

The Compton camera is a gamma-ray imaging device developed in the 1970s. In the 1990s, the COMPTEL detector onboard the CGRO was the first to utilize a Compton camera for MeV all-sky survey observations. Recently, various Compton cameras have been developed using scintillators, semiconductors, and gas detectors, some of which are intended for future small satellite missions as well as medical applications. However, the image obtained by a Compton camera has strong artifacts owing to the overlap of the Compton cones or the arcs, which degrade the resolution and sensitivity of the image. In this study, we revisit the adaptive ARM cut that significantly reduces artifacts when the direction of gamma ray emitting source is already known. This approach complements the statistically well-defined method based on the response function in the three-dimensional data space of scattering direction (\chi, \psi) and scattering angle \theta, but it is more direct, intuitive, and simplifies the extraction of spectra in astronomical observations of point-like sources. Using a Compton camera, INSPIRE, onboard the ultra-small satellite GRAPHIUM as an example, we numerically evaluated the extent of background reduction to estimate simulation-based sensitivity. The method was also applied to actual measurements using a quarter-scale prototype of INSPIRE to extract spectra from multiple sources within the same field of view.

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arXiv2017

Development of a 32-channel ASIC for an X-ray APD Detector onboard the ISS

We report on the design and performance of a mixed-signal application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) dedicated to avalanche photodiodes (APDs) in order to detect hard X-ray emissions in a wide energy band onboard the International Space Station. To realize wide-band detection from 20 keV to 1 MeV, we use Ce:GAGG scintillators, each coupled to an APD, with low-noise front-end electronics capable of achieving a minimum energy detection threshold of 20 keV. The developed ASIC has the ability to read out 32-channel APD signals using 0.35 $μ$m CMOS technology, and an analog amplifier at the input stage is designed to suppress the capacitive noise primarily arising from the large detector capacitance of the APDs. The ASIC achieves a performance of 2099 e$^{-}$ + 1.5 e$^{-}$/pF at root mean square (RMS) with a wide 300 fC dynamic range. Coupling a reverse-type APD with a Ce:GAGG scintillator, we obtain an energy resolution of 6.7% (FWHM) at 662 keV and a minimum detectable energy of 20 keV at room temperature (20 $^{\circ}$C). Furthermore, we examine the radiation tolerance for space applications by using a 90 MeV proton beam, confirming that the ASIC is free of single-event effects and can operate properly without serious degradation in analog and digital processing.

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arXiv2017

Illuminating Gravitational Waves: A Concordant Picture of Photons from a Neutron Star Merger

Merging neutron stars offer an exquisite laboratory for simultaneously studying strong-field gravity and matter in extreme environments. We establish the physical association of an electromagnetic counterpart EM170817 to gravitational waves (GW170817) detected from merging neutron stars. By synthesizing a panchromatic dataset, we demonstrate that merging neutron stars are a long-sought production site forging heavy elements by r-process nucleosynthesis. The weak gamma-rays seen in EM170817 are dissimilar to classical short gamma-ray bursts with ultra-relativistic jets. Instead, we suggest that breakout of a wide-angle, mildly-relativistic cocoon engulfing the jet elegantly explains the low-luminosity gamma-rays, the high-luminosity ultraviolet-optical-infrared and the delayed radio/X-ray emission. We posit that all merging neutron stars may lead to a wide-angle cocoon breakout; sometimes accompanied by a successful jet and sometimes a choked jet.

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arXiv2016

X-ray and Rotational Luminosity Correlation and Magnetic Heating of the Radio Pulsars

Previous works have suggested a correlation between the X-ray luminosity Lx and the rotational luminosity Lrot of the radio pulsars.However, none of the obtained regression lines are statistically acceptable due to large scatters. We construct a statistical model which has an intrinsic Lx-Lrot relation and reproduces the observed Lx distribution about it by using a Monte Carlo simulator, which takes into account the effects obscuring the intrinsic relation,i.e., the anisotropy of radiation, additional heating, uncertainty in distance and detection limit of the instruments. From the ATNF pulsar catalog we collect 57 `ordinary radio pulsars' with significant detection and 42 with upper limits.The sample does not include the high-magnetic field pulsars (>10^{13} G), which are separately analyzed. We obtain a statistically acceptable relation Lx (0.5 - 10 keV)= 10^{31.69} (Lrot / L_0)^{c_1} with c_1 = 1.03 \pm 0.27 and L_0 =10^{35.38}. The distribution about the obtained Lx-Lrot relation is reproduced well by the simulator. Pulsars with abnormally high Lx fall into two types: one is the soft gamma-ray pulsars, and the other is thermally bright pulsars in comparison with the standard cooling curve. On the other hand, pulsars showing low Lx are found to have dim pulsar wind nebulae. We argue that there is an unknown mechanism that governs both the magnetospheric emission and the pulsar wind nebulae, and it might involve the production rate of electron-positron pairs. The high-field pulsars form a distinctive population other than the ordinary pulsars due to their excess luminosities.

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arXiv2016

No Evidence of Intrinsic Optical/Near-Infrared Linear Polarization for V404 Cygni During its Bright Outburst in 2015: Broadband Modeling and Constraint on Jet Parameters

We present simultaneous optical and near-infrared (NIR) polarimetric results for the black hole binary V404 Cygni spanning the duration of its 7-day long optically-brightest phase of its 2015 June outburst. The simultaneous R and Ks-band light curves showed almost the same temporal variation except for the isolated (~30 min duration) orphan Ks-band flare observed at MJD 57193.54. We did not find any significant temporal variation of polarization degree (PD) and position angle (PA) in both R and Ks bands throughout our observations, including the duration of the orphan NIR flare. We show that the observed PD and PA are predominantly interstellar in origin by comparing the V404 Cyg polarimetric results with those of the surrounding sources within the 7'x7' field-of-view. The low intrinsic PD (less than a few percent) implies that the optical and NIR emissions are dominated by either disk or optically-thick synchrotron emission, or both. We also present the broadband spectra of V404 Cyg during the orphan NIR flare and a relatively faint and steady state by including quasi-simultaneous Swift/XRT and INTEGRAL fluxes. By adopting a single-zone synchrotron plus inverse-Compton model as widely used in modeling of blazars, we constrained the parameters of a putative jet. Because the jet synchrotron component cannot exceed the Swift/XRT disk/corona flux, the cutoff Lorentz factor in the electron energy distribution is constrained to be <10^2, suggesting particle acceleration is less efficient in this microquasar jet outburst compared to AGN jets. We also suggest that the loading of the baryon component inside the jet is inevitable based on energetic arguments.

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arXiv2014

GRB 130427A: a Nearby Ordinary Monster

Long-duration Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are an extremely rare outcome of the collapse of massive stars, and are typically found in the distant Universe. Because of its intrinsic luminosity ($L\sim 3 \times 10^{53}$ erg s$^{-1}$) and its relative proximity ($z=0.34$), GRB 130427A was a unique event that reached the highest fluence observed in the gamma-ray band. Here we present a comprehensive multiwavelength view of GRB 130427A with Swift, the 2-m Liverpool and Faulkes telescopes and by other ground-based facilities, highlighting the evolution of the burst emission from the prompt to the afterglow phase. The properties of GRB 130427A are similar to those of the most luminous, high-redshift GRBs, suggesting that a common central engine is responsible for producing GRBs in both the contemporary and the early Universe and over the full range of GRB isotropic energies.

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arXiv2012

Toward Identifying the Unassociated Gamma-ray Source 1FGL J1311.7-3429 with X-ray and Optical Observations

We present deep optical and X-ray follow-up observations of the bright unassociated Fermi-LAT gammaray source 1FGL J1311.7-3429. The source was already known as an unidentified EGRET source (3EG J1314-3431, EGR J1314-3417), hence its nature has remained uncertain for the past two decades. For the putative counterpart, we detected a quasi-sinusoidal optical modulation of delta_m\sim2 mag with a period of ~1.5 hr in the Rc, r' and g' bands. Moreover, we found that the amplitude of the modulation and peak intensity changed by > 1 mag and 0.5 mag respectively, over our total six nights of observations from 2012 March and May. Combined with Swif t UVOT data, the optical-UV spectrum is consistent with a blackbody temperature, kT \sim1 eV, and the emission volume radius Rbb\sim 1.5x10^4 km. In contrast, deep Suzaku observations conducted in 2009 and 2011 revealed strong X-ray flares with a lightcurve characterized with a power spectrum density of P(f) propto f^(-2) but the folded X-ray light curves suggest an orbital modulation also in X-rays. Together with the non-detection of a radio counterpart, and significant curved spectrum and non-detection of variability in gamma-rays, the source may be the second radio-quiet gamma-ray emitting milli-second pulsar candidate after 1FGL J2339.7-0531, although the origin of flaring X-ray and optical variability remains an open question.

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arXiv2012

Discovery of an unidentified Fermi object as a black widow-like millisecond pulsar

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has revolutionized our knowledge of the gamma-ray pulsar population, leading to the discovery of almost 100 gamma-ray pulsars and dozens of gamma-ray millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Although the outer-gap model predicts different sites of emission for the radio and gamma-ray pulsars, until now all of the known gamma-ray MSPs have been visible in the radio. Here we report the discovery of a "radio-quiet" gamma-ray emitting MSP candidate by using Fermi, Chandra, Swift, and optical observations. The X-ray and gamma-ray properties of the source are consistent with known gamma-ray pulsars. We also found a 4.63-hr orbital period in optical and X-ray data. We suggest that the source is a black widow-like MSP with a ~0.1 solar-mass late-type companion star. Based on the profile of the optical and X-ray light-curves, the companion star is believed to be heated by the pulsar while the X-ray emissions originate from pulsar magnetosphere and/or from intra-binary shock. No radio detection of the source has been reported yet and although no gamma-ray/radio pulsation has been found, we estimated that the spin period of the MSP is ~3-5 ms based on the inferred gamma-ray luminosity.

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arXiv2007

MITSuME--Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and Monstrous Explosions

Development of MITSuME is reported. Two 50-cm optical telescopes have been built at Akeno in Yamanashi prefecture and at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory (OAO) in Okayama prefecture. Three CCD cameras for simultaneous g'RcIc photometry are to be mounted on each focal plane, covering a wide FOV of about 30" x 30". The limiting magnitude at V is fainter than 18. In addition to these two optical telescopes, a 91-cm IR telescope with a 1 deg x 1 deg field of view is being built at OAO, which performs photometry in YJHK bands. These robotic telescopes can start the observation of counterparts of a GRB within a minute from an alert. We aim to obtain photometric redshifts exceeding 10 with these telescopes. The performance and the current construction status of the telescopes are presented.

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arXiv2006

Observation Campaign of SS 433 in April 2006

A radio-IR-optical-X-ray observation campaign of SS 433 has been performed in April 2006, when the jet axis is almost perpendicular to the line of sight. Five flares have been detected during the campaign by radio monitoring observation with RATAN-600. The X-ray astronomical satellite Suzaku observed the source in and out of eclipse. In the X-ray data out of eclipse, the flux shows a significant variation with a time scale of hours. The source seems to be in the active state during the campaign. The observation logs and preliminary results are presented.

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arXiv2006

Recent progress of avalanche photodiodes in high-resolution X-rays and Gamma-rays detection

We have studied the performance of large area avalanche photodiodes (APDs) recently developed by Hamamatsu Photonics K.K, in high-resolution X-rays and Gamma-rays detections. We show that reach-through APD can be an excellent soft X-ray detector operating at room temperature or moderately cooled environment. We obtain the best energy resolution ever achieved with APDs, 6.4 % for 5.9 keV X-rays, and obtain the energy threshold as low as 0.5 keV measured at -20deg. Thanks to its fast timing response, signal carriers in the APD device are collected within a short time interval of 1.9 nsec (FWHM). This type of APDs can therefore be used as a low-energy, high-counting particle monitor onboard the forthcoming Pico-satellite Cute1.7. As a scintillation photon detector, reverse-type APDs have a good advantage of reducing the dark noise significantly. The best FWHM energy resolutions of 9.4+-0.3 % and 4.9+-0.2 % were obtained for 59.5 keV and 662 keV Gamma-rays, respectively, as measured with a CsI(Tl) crystal. Combination of APDs with various other scintillators (BGO, GSO, and YAP) also showed better results than that obtained with a photomultiplier tube (PMT). These results suggest that APD could be a promising device for replacing traditional PMT usage in some applications. In particular 2-dim APD array, which we present in this paper, will be a promising device for a wide-band X-ray and Gamma-ray imaging detector in future space research and nuclear medicine.

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arXiv2006

An Active Gain-control System for Avalanche Photo-Diodes under Moderate Temperature Variations

Avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are promising light sensor for various fields of experimental physics. It has been argued, however, that variation of APD gain with temperature could be a serious problem preventing APDs from replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) in some applications. Here we develop an active gain-control system to keep the APD gain stable under moderate temperature variations. As a performance demonstration of the proposed system, we have tested the response of a scintillation photon detector consisting of a 5x5 mm^2 reverse-type APD optically coupled with a CsI(Tl) crystal. We show that the APD gain was successfully controlled under a temperature variation of DT = 20deg, within a time-cycle of 6000 sec. The best FWHM energy resolution of 6.1+-0.2 % was obtained for 662 keV gamma-rays, and the energy threshold was as low as 6.5 keV, by integrating data from +20deg - 0deg cycles. The corresponding values for -20deg - 0deg cycles were 6.9+-0.2 % and 5.2 keV, respectively. These results are comparable, or only slightly worse than that obtained at a fixed temperature. Our results suggest new potential uses for APDs in various space researches and nuclear physics. As examples, we briefly introduce the NeXT and Cute-1.7 satellite missions that will carry the APDs as scientific instruments for the first time.

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arXiv2005

Afterglow spectrum of a gamma-ray burst with the highest known redshift z=6.295

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows have been proposed as an excellent probe to study the evolution of cosmic star formation, the reionization of the intergalactic medium, and the metal enrichment history of the universe, since the prompt gamma-ray emission of GRBs should be detectable out to distances z>10. Hitherto, the highest measured redshift for a GRB has been z=4.50. Here we report the optical spectrum of the afterglow of GRB 050904 obtained 3.4 days after the burst. The spectrum shows a clear continuum at the long wavelength end of the spectrum with a sharp cutoff at around 9000 A due to Ly alpha absorption at a redshift of 6.3 with a damping wing. Little flux is present in the waveband shortward of the Ly alpha break. A system of absorption lines of heavy elements at redshift z=6.295 +- 0.002 were also detected, yielding a precise measurement of the largest known redshift of a GRB. Analysis of the Si II fine structure lines suggest a dense metal-enriched environment around the GRB progenitor, providing unique information on the properties of the gas in a galaxy when the universe was younger than one billion years.

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arXiv2005

Chandra Observation of the Interaction between the Hot Plasma Nebula RCW89 and the Pulsar Jet of PSR B1509-58

We present a Chandra observation of the H II region RCW89. The nebula lies on 10' north from the central pulsar PSR B1509-58, and it has been suggested that the nebula is irradiated by the pulsar jet. We performed a spectral analysis of the seven brightest emitting regions aligned in a ``horse-shoe'' shape, and found that the temperature of the knots increases along the ``horse-shoe'' in the clockwise direction, while, in contrast, the ionization parameter decreases. This strongly supports a picture of energy transfer via the precessing pulsar jet. We examined the energy budget assuming that RCW89 is powered by the pulsar jet, and confirmed that the pulsar rotational energy loss is sufficient to drive the nebula. The rate of energy injection into RCW89 by the jet was estimated from the synchrotron radiation flux. We obtained a heating time-scale of 1400 yr, which is consistent with the pulsar characteristic age of 1700 yr. To explain the temperature gradient, we discuss the cooling process for plasma clouds in RCW89. We argue that the plasma clouds can be cooled down by the adiabatic expansion within 70 yr, and form the temperature gradient reflecting the sequential heating by the precessing pulsar jet. We also determined the velocities of the individual plasma clouds by spectral fitting. The plasma clouds in RCW89 are moving away at 240 ~ 860 km/s, which constrains the inclination angle of the pulsar spin axis i > 50 degree and the expanding velocity of the shell as v > 1100 km/s.

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arXiv2003

Earliest detection of the optical afterglow of GRB 030329 and its variability

We report the earliest detection of an extremely bright optical afterglow of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) 030329 using a 30cm-telescope at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo, JAPAN). Our observation started 67 minutes after the burst, and continued for succeeding two nights until the afterglow faded below the sensitivity limit of the telescope (approximately 18 mag). Combining our data with those reported in GCN Circulars, we find that the early afterglow light curve of the first half day is described by a broken power-law (t^{- alpha}) function with indices alpha_{1} = 0.88 +/- 0.01 (0.047 < t < t_{b1} days), alpha_{2} = 1.18 +/- 0.01 (t_{b1} < t < t_{b2} days), and alpha_{3} = 1.81 +/- 0.04 (t_{b2} < t < 1.2 days), where t_{b1} ~ 0.26 days and t_{b2} ~ 0.54 days, respectively. The change of the power-law index at the first break at t ~ 0.26 days is consistent with that expected from a ``cooling-break'' when the cooling frequency crossed the optical band. If the interpretation is correct, the decay index before the cooling-break implies a uniform ISM environment.

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