M. J. Pivovaroff
- Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena
- Particle Detector Development and Performance
- Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
- Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research
- Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- High-pressure geophysics and materials
- Geophysics and Gravity Measurements
- Advanced X-ray and CT Imaging
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Calibration and Measurement Techniques
- Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
- Particle Accelerators and Free-Electron Lasers
- Cosmology and Gravitation Theories
- Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
- Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies
- Laser-Plasma Interactions and Diagnostics
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing
- Advanced Semiconductor Detectors and Materials
- CCD and CMOS Imaging Sensors
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
2014-2024
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
2010-2022
Sandia National Laboratories
2018
Universities Space Research Association
2018
Marshall Space Flight Center
2018
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
2018
Lawrence Livermore National Security
2011-2016
University of California, Berkeley
2002-2016
European Organization for Nuclear Research
2015
Tokyo Institute of Technology
2015
The Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) mission, launched on 2012 June 13, is the first focusing high-energy X-ray telescope in orbit. NuSTAR operates band from 3 to 79 keV, extending sensitivity of far beyond ∼10 keV cutoff achieved by all previous satellites. inherently low background associated with concentrating light enables probe hard sky a more than 100-fold improvement over collimated or coded mask instruments that have operated this bandpass. Using its unprecedented...
Hypothetical low-mass particles, such as axions, provide a compelling explanation for the dark matter in universe. Such particles are expected to emerge abundantly from hot interior of stars. To test this prediction, CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) uses 9 T refurbished Large Hadron Collider magnet directed towards Sun. In strong magnetic field, solar axions can be converted X-ray photons which recorded by detectors. 2013–2015 run, thanks low-background detectors and new telescope,...
The International Axion Observatory (IAXO) will be a forth generation axion helioscope. As its primary physics goal, IAXO look for axions or axion-like particles (ALPs) originating in the Sun via Primakoff conversion of solar plasma photons. In terms signal-to-noise ratio, about 4–5 orders magnitude more sensitive than CAST, currently most powerful helioscope, reaching sensitivity to axion-photon couplings down few × 10−12 GeV−1 and thus probing large fraction unexplored ALP parameter space....
We have searched for solar axions or other pseudoscalar particles that couple to two photons by using the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) setup. Whereas we previously reported results from CAST with evacuated magnet bores (Phase I), setting limits on lower mass axions, here report where were filled 4He gas II) of variable pressure. The introduction generates a refractive photon mγ, thereby achieving maximum possible conversion rate those axion masses ma match mγ. With 160 different...
We report the results of a multi-band observing campaign on famous blazar 3C 279 conducted during phase increased activity from 2013 December to 2014 April, including first observations it with NuSTAR. The $\gamma$-ray emission source measured by Fermi-LAT showed multiple distinct flares reaching highest flux level in this object since beginning Fermi mission, $F(E > 100\,{\rm MeV})$ $10^{-5}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, and doubling time scale as short 2 hours. spectrum one was very hard,...
Dark sectors, consisting of new, light, weakly-coupled particles that do not interact with the known strong, weak, or electromagnetic forces, are a particularly compelling possibility for new physics. Nature may contain numerous dark each their own beautiful structure, distinct particles, and forces. This review summarizes physics motivation sectors exciting opportunities experimental exploration. It is summary Intensity Frontier subgroup "New, Light, Weakly-coupled Particles" Community...
The CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST) has extended its search for solar axions by using 3He as a buffer gas. At T=1.8 K this allows larger pressure settings and hence sensitivity to higher axion masses than our previous measurements with 4He. With about 1 h of data taking at each 252 different we have scanned the mass range 0.39 eV < m_a 0.64 eV. From absence excess X-rays when magnet was pointing Sun set typical upper limit on axion-photon coupling g_ag 2.3 x 10^{-10} GeV^{-1} 95% CL, exact...
We study the feasibility of a new generation axion helioscope, most ambitious and promising detector solar axions to date. show that large improvements in magnetic field volume, x-ray focusing optics backgrounds are possible beyond those achieved CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST). For hadronic models, sensitivity axion-photon coupling gaγ ≳ few × 10−12 GeV−1 is conceivable, 1–1.5 orders magnitude CAST sensitivity. If also couple electrons, Sun produces larger flux for same value Peccei-Quinn...
The CERN Axion Solar Telescope has finished its search for solar axions with (3)He buffer gas, covering the range 0.64 eV ≲ ma 1.17 eV. This closes gap to cosmological hot dark matter limit and actually overlaps it. From absence of excess x rays when magnet was pointing Sun we set a typical upper on axion-photon coupling gaγ 3.3 × 10(-10) GeV(-1) at 95% C.L., exact value depending pressure setting. Future direct axion searches will focus increasing sensitivity smaller values gaγ, example by...
Stellar metals shine toward our eyes only Taking a different look at familiar star may still yield surprises. Boggs et al. trained the x-ray vision of NuSTAR observatory on well-studied supernova 1987A. Core-collapse explosions such as SN 1987A produce titanium isotope, 44 Ti, whose radioactive decay yields hard emission lines. All associated with 44Ti appears to be from material moving us, none away. This implies that explosion was not symmetric. These findings help explain mechanics and...
ABSTRACT We present a phase-coherent timing solution for PSR J1640–4631, young 206 ms pulsar using X-ray observations taken with NuSTAR . Over this campaign, we have measured the braking index of J1640–4631 to be n = 3.15 ± 0.03. Using series simulations, argue that unusually high is not due noise, but intrinsic pulsar's spin-down. cannot, however, rule out contamination an unseen glitch recovery, although recovery timescale would longer than most yet observed. If eventually proven stable,...
We present coordinated multiwavelength observations of the bright, nearby BL Lac object Mrk 421 taken in 2013 January-March, involving GASP-WEBT, Swift, NuSTAR, Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, VERITAS, and other collaborations instruments, providing data from radio to very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray bands. NuSTAR yielded previously unattainable sensitivity 3-79 keV range, revealing that spectrum softens when source is dimmer until X-ray spectral shape saturates into a steep power law with photon index...
The distribution of elements produced in the inner-most layers a supernova explosion is key diagnostic for studying collapse massive stars. Here we present results 2.4 Ms \textit{NuSTAR} observing campaign aimed at remnant Cassiopeia A (Cas A). We perform spatially-resolved spectroscopic analyses $^{44}$Ti ejecta which use to determine Doppler shift and thus three-dimensional (3D) velocities ejecta. find an initial mass 1.54 $\pm$ 0.21 $\times 10^{-4}$ M$_{\odot}$ has day average momentum...
We review the physics potential of a next generation search for solar axions: International Axion Observatory (IAXO) . Endowed with sensitivity to discover axion-like particles (ALPs) coupling photons as small gaγ∼ 10−12 GeV−1, or electrons gae∼10−13, IAXO has find QCD axion in 1 meV∼1 eV mass range where it solves strong CP problem, can account cold dark matter Universe and be responsible anomalous cooling observed number stellar systems. At same time, will have enough detect lower axions...
A bstract This article describes BabyIAXO, an intermediate experimental stage of the International Axion Observatory (IAXO), proposed to be sited at DESY. IAXO is a large-scale axion helioscope that will look for axions and axion-like particles (ALPs), produced in Sun, with unprecedented sensitivity. BabyIAXO conceived test all subsystems (magnet, optics detectors) relevant scale final system thus serve as prototype IAXO, but same time fully-fledged physics reach itself, potential discovery....
A bstract We present results of the Relic Axion Dark-Matter Exploratory Setup (RADES), a detector which is part CERN Solar Telescope (CAST), searching for axion dark matter in 34.67 μ eV mass range. radio frequency cavity consisting 5 sub-cavities coupled by inductive irises took physics data inside CAST dipole magnet first time using this filter-like haloscope geometry. An exclusion limit with 95% credibility level on axion-photon coupling constant g aγ ≳ 4 × 10 − 13 GeV 1 over range 34 ....
The CAST-CAPP axion haloscope, operating at CERN inside the CAST dipole magnet, has searched for axions in 19.74 $\mu$eV to 22.47 mass range. detection concept follows Sikivie haloscope principle, where Dark Matter convert into photons within a resonator immersed magnetic field. is an array of four individual rectangular cavities inserted strong phase-matched maximize sensitivity. Here we report on data acquired 4124 h from 2019 2021. Each cavity equipped with fast frequency tuning mechanism...
We present observations with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory of pulsar wind nebula (PWN) powered by energetic young B1509-58. These data confirm complicated morphology system indicated previous observations, and in addition reveal several new components to nebula. The overall PWN shows a clear symmetry axis oriented at position angle 150° ± 5° (north through east), which we argue corresponds spin axis. show that previously identified radio feature matches well extent X-ray PWN, propose former...
The <i>Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR)</i> is a NASA Small Explorer mission that will carry the first focusing hard X-ray (6 - 80 keV) telescope to orbit. <i>NuSTAR</i> offer factor 50 100 sensitivity improvement compared previous collimated or coded mask imagers have operated in this energy band. In addition, provides sub-arcminute imaging with good spectral resolution over 12-arcminute eld of view. After launch, out two-year primary science focuses on four key programs:...
A 5 ps gated framing camera was demonstrated using the pulse-dilation of a drifting electron signal. The is achieved by accelerating photoelectron derived information pulse with time varying potential [R. D. Prosser, J. Phys. E 9, 57 (1976)]. temporal dependence causes birth dependent axial velocity dispersion that spreads as it transits drift region. expanded then imaged conventional microchannel plate based and effective gating combined instrument reduced over alone. In region, image...
In non-hadronic axion models, which have a tree-level axion-electron interaction, the Sun produces strong flux by bremsstrahlung, Compton scattering, and axio-recombination, ``BCA processes.'' Based on new calculation of this flux, including for first time we derive limits Yukawa coupling gae axion-photon interaction strength gaγ using CAST phase-I data (vacuum phase). For ma≲10 meV/c2 find < 8.1 × 10−23 GeV−1 at 95% CL. We stress that next-generation helioscope such as proposed IAXO could...
We describe the fabrication of two NuSTAR flight optics modules. The modules are glass-graphiteepoxy composite structures to be employed for first time in space-based X-ray by NuSTAR, a NASA Small Explorer schedule launch February 2012. discuss manufacturing process, qualification and environmental testing performed, briefly results performance integration alignment completed into instrument is described as module thermal shields.
Standard Model extensions often predict low‐mass and very weakly interacting particles, such as the axion. A number of small‐scale experiments at intensity/precision frontier are actively searching for these elusive complementing searches physics beyond colliders. Whilst a next generation will give access to huge unexplored parameter space, discovery would have tremendous impact on our understanding fundamental physics.