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
Heida M
(2013)
VLT/FORS2 observations of four high-luminosity ULX candidates?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Hjalmarsdotter L
(2016)
Limits on pair production and multizone Comptonization: the broad-band X/?-ray spectrum of XTE J1550-564 revisited
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Alston W
(2014)
X-ray time delays in the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy PG 1244+026
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gardner E
(2015)
Complex narrow-line Seyfert 1s: high spin or high inclination?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2013)
Monte Carlo simulation of ELT-scale multi-object adaptive optics deformable mirror requirements and tolerances
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2015)
Sensitivity improvements for Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors using total variation minimization
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Gardner E
(2014)
What powers the most relativistic jets? - I. BL Lacs
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
Wide-field adaptive optics performance in cosmological deep fields for multi-object spectroscopy with the European Extremely Large Telescope
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Axelsson M
(2013)
Fast variability as a probe of the smallest regions around accreting black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Middleton M
(2013)
Broad absorption features in wind-dominated ultraluminous X-ray sources?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Sathyaprakash R
(2019)
The discovery of weak coherent pulsations in the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 1313 X-2
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters
Algorri JF
(2013)
Modal liquid crystal array of optical elements.
in Optics express
MacLachlan DG
(2016)
Development of integrated mode reformatting components for diffraction-limited spectroscopy.
in Optics letters
Abramowski A
(2013)
Constraints on axionlike particles with H.E.S.S. from the irregularity of the PKS 2155 - 304 energy spectrum
in Physical Review D
Yamada S
(2013)
Evidence for a Cool Disk and Inhomogeneous Coronae from Wide-Band Temporal Spectroscopy of Cygnus X-1 with Suzaku
in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Walton D
(2013)
X-RAY OUTFLOWS AND SUPER-EDDINGTON ACCRETION IN THE ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCE HOLMBERG IX X-1
in The Astrophysical Journal
Aliu E
(2013)
LONG-TERM TeV AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE GAMMA-RAY BINARY HESS J0632+057
in The Astrophysical Journal
Sutton A
(2015)
X-RAY SPECTRAL RESIDUALS IN NGC 5408 X-1: DIFFUSE EMISSION FROM STAR FORMATION, OR THE SIGNATURE OF A SUPER-EDDINGTON WIND?
in The Astrophysical Journal
Yamada S
(2013)
HIGHLY IONIZED Fe-K ABSORPTION LINE FROM CYGNUS X-1 IN THE HIGH/SOFT STATE OBSERVED WITH SUZAKU
in The Astrophysical Journal
Prestwich A
(2013)
ULTRA-LUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCES IN THE MOST METAL POOR GALAXIES
in The Astrophysical Journal
Hori T
(2014)
ERRATUM: " SUZAKU OBSERVATION OF THE BLACK HOLE BINARY 4U 1630-47 IN THE VERY HIGH STATE" (2014, ApJ, 790, 20)
in The Astrophysical Journal
D'Abrusco R
(2014)
THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF THE GLOBULAR CLUSTERS AND LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARIES OF NGC 4649
in The Astrophysical Journal
Earnshaw H
(2020)
The (Re)appearance of NGC 925 ULX-3, a New Transient ULX
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gandhi P
(2013)
REFLECTION-DOMINATED NUCLEAR X-RAY EMISSION IN THE EARLY-TYPE GALAXY ESO 565-G019
in The Astrophysical Journal
Tomsick J
(2015)
THE ACCRETING BLACK HOLE SWIFT J1753.5-0127 FROM RADIO TO HARD X-RAY
in The Astrophysical Journal
RodrÃguez Castillo G
(2020)
Discovery of a 2.8 s Pulsar in a 2 Day Orbit High-mass X-Ray Binary Powering the Ultraluminous X-Ray Source ULX-7 in M51
in The Astrophysical Journal
Shidatsu M
(2013)
THE ACCRETION DISK AND IONIZED ABSORBER OF THE 9.7 hr DIPPING BLACK HOLE BINARY MAXI J1305-704
in The Astrophysical Journal
Pintore F
(2020)
The Ultraluminous X-Ray Sources Population of the Galaxy NGC 7456
in The Astrophysical Journal
Gladstone J
(2013)
OPTICAL COUNTERPARTS OF THE NEAREST ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCES
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Luangtip W
(2014)
A deficit of ultraluminous X-ray sources in luminous infrared galaxies
Heida M
(2014)
Near-infrared counterparts of ultraluminous X-ray sources
Sathyaprakash R
(2019)
Observational limits on the X-ray emission from the bubble nebula surrounding Ho IX X-1
Earnshaw H
(2020)
The (re)appearance of NGC 925 ULX-3, a new transient ULX
Sathyaprakash R
(2019)
The discovery of weak coherent pulsations in the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 1313 X-2
Middleton M
(2014)
A spectral-timing model for ULXs in the super-critical regime
Pintore F
(2020)
The Ultraluminous X-ray sources population of the galaxy NGC 7456
Middleton M
(2013)
Broad absorption features in wind-dominated ULXs?
| 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 |