A Programme of Astronomical Instrumentation and High-Energy Astrophysics at Durham 2013-2015
Lead Research Organisation:
Durham University
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
We propose to consolidate our successful rolling programme of research and development in astronomical instrumentation for ground- and space-based telescopes with observational and theoretical work in high-energy astrophysics. Over the period 2013-2015 we will make high-fidelity laboratory experiments to assess the applicability of adaptive optics correction down to visible wavelengths, and exploit data from vertical turbulence profiling equipment to study the effects of low-altitude turbulence on telescope performance. We will also continue our joint programme with ESO to develop the next generation of real-time control systems for future adaptive optics systems, and undertake a development programme using our in-house manufacturing capability to deliver high-precision large-diameter diamond-machined optics for next-generation instruments. We will explore the application of photonics technologies to improving the versatility and efficiency of future astronomical spectrographs using fibre switches and image-stabilising optics. Our rolled up high energy astrophysics programme will use data from new hard X-ray satellites to study extreme accretion flows around compact objects, and will develop an outreach programme for the next-generation high energy gamma ray facility, the Cherenkov Telescope Array.
Planned Impact
The research will benefit UK astronomers by providing them with new technologies for implementing advanced modes of astronomical adaptive optics and improving the efficiency of optical/infrared spectroscopy. Astronomers worldwide will benefit from the synergy with technology developments at other observatories. Industry will benefit from cutting-edge developments of their systems (particularly real-time computing) and in supplying COTS items to the programme. The field of high-energy astrophysics will be moved forward by access to new data from hard X-ray telescopes, and by an effective outreach programme for CTA which helps secure future UK involvement.
Organisations
Publications
Jia P
(2015)
Simulation of atmospheric turbulence phase screen for large telescope and optical interferometer
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A. G.
(2017)
On-sky demonstration of matched filters for wavefront measurements using ELT-scale elongated laser guide stars
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sathyaprakash R
(2022)
A multi-wavelength view of distinct accretion regimes in the pulsating ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 1313 X-2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jia P
(2015)
Real-time generation of atmospheric turbulence phase screen with non-uniform fast Fourier transform
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Heida M
(2014)
Near-infrared counterparts of ultraluminous X-ray sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Harris R
(2015)
Photonic spatial reformatting of stellar light for diffraction-limited spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
MacLachlan D
(2017)
Efficient photonic reformatting of celestial light for diffraction-limited spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gardner E
(2013)
Jets and the accretion flow in low-luminosity black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Föhring D
(2013)
ULTRACAM z'-band detection of the secondary eclipse of WASP-12b
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hagino K
(2015)
The origin of ultrafast outflows in AGN: Monte Carlo simulations of the wind in PDS 456
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Kolehmainen M
(2014)
The soft component and the iron line as signatures of the disc inner radius in Galactic black hole binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Bitenc U
(2015)
On-sky tests of the CuReD and HWR fast wavefront reconstruction algorithms with CANARY
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sutton A
(2014)
Irradiated, colour-temperature-corrected accretion discs in ultraluminous X-ray sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Barr D
(2015)
Reducing adaptive optics latency using Xeon Phi many-core processors
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Luangtip W
(2015)
A deficit of ultraluminous X-ray sources in luminous infrared galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Catala L
(2013)
Optical turbulence characterization at the SAAO Sutherland site
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jin C
(2015)
Strong constraints on a super-Eddington accretion flow: XMM-Newton observations of an intermediate-mass black hole
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Walton D
(2020)
The unusual broad-band X-ray spectral variability of NGC 1313 X-1 seen with XMM-Newton, Chandra , and NuSTAR
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Starling R
(2014)
The story of Seyfert galaxy RE J2248-511: from intriguingly ultrasoft to unremarkably average
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Sathyaprakash R
(2019)
Observational limits on the X-ray emission from the bubble nebula surrounding Ho IX X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
A real-time simulation facility for astronomical adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Done C
(2013)
A new way to measure supermassive black hole spin in accretion disc-dominated active galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Osborn J
(2015)
Atmospheric scintillation in astronomical photometry
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Earnshaw H
(2016)
A variable ULX and possible IMBH candidate in M51a
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2015)
Monte Carlo modelling of multiconjugate adaptive optics performance on the European Extremely Large Telescope
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
| Description | This bridging award enabled a continued programme of underpinning research in 4 key areas of (i) adaptive optics, (ii) atmospheric characterisation, (iii) real-time control systems, (iv) 3D imaging and spectroscopy. One area research programme on freeform optics manufacture was not supported. Key findings are listed in the publications (especially SPIE) associated with this grant. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this award fed directly into a continuing programme of technology development funded as part of our first Consolidated Grant. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine |