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
Sutton A
(2013)
A bright ultraluminous X-ray source in NGC 5907
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Luangtip W
(2014)
A deficit of ultraluminous X-ray sources in luminous infrared galaxies
Luangtip W
(2015)
A deficit of ultraluminous X-ray sources in luminous infrared galaxies
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Jin C
(2013)
A long XMM-Newton observation of an extreme narrow-line Seyfert 1: PG 1244+026
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
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
Basden A
(2014)
A real-time simulation facility for astronomical adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Middleton M
(2015)
A spectral-timing model for ULXs in the supercritical regime
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
Axelsson M
(2014)
An imperfect double: probing the physical origin of the low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillation and its harmonic in black hole binaries
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Osborn J
(2015)
Atmospheric scintillation in astronomical photometry
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
Middleton M
(2013)
Broad absorption features in wind-dominated ULXs?
Gardner E
(2015)
Complex narrow-line Seyfert 1s: high spin or high inclination?
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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
MacLachlan DG
(2016)
Development of integrated mode reformatting components for diffraction-limited spectroscopy.
in Optics letters
Kara E
(2020)
Discovery of a soft X-ray lag in the ultraluminous X-ray source NGC 1313 X-1
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Collaboration H
(2013)
Discovery of TeV ? -ray emission from PKS 0447-439 and derivation of an upper limit on its redshift
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
MacLachlan D
(2017)
Efficient photonic reformatting of celestial light for diffraction-limited spectroscopy
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Allington-Smith J
(2013)
End effects in optical fibres
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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
{Abramowski}, A. And {Acero}, F. And {Aharonian}, F. And {Akhperjanian}, A.~G. And {Anton}, G. And {Balzer}, A. And {Barnacka}, A. And {Barres De Almeida}, U. And {Becherini}, Y. And {Becker}, J. And {Behera}, B. And {Bernl{\"o}hr}, K. And {Birsin}, E. And {Biteau}, J. And {Bochow}, A. And {Boisson}, C. And {Bolmont}, J. And {Bordas}, P. And {Brucker}, J. And {Brun}, F. And {Brun}, P. And {Bulik}, T. And {B{\"u}sching}, I. And {Carrigan}, S. And {Casanova}, S. And {Cerruti}, M. And {Chadwick},
(2014)
Erratum: ''Search for Dark Matter Annihilation Signals from the Fornax Galaxy Cluster with H.E.S.S.''
(2012, ApJ, 750, 123)
in \apj
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
Axelsson M
(2013)
Fast variability as a probe of the smallest regions around accreting black holes
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Basden A
(2014)
Faulty actuator tolerance in deformable mirrors for Extremely Large Telescope multi-object adaptive optics
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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
Hahn J
(2014)
Impact of aerosols and adverse atmospheric conditions on the data quality for spectral analysis of the H.E.S.S. telescopes
in Astroparticle Physics
Acharya B
(2013)
Introducing the CTA concept
in Astroparticle Physics
Basden A
(2015)
Investigation of POWER8 processors for astronomical adaptive optics real-time control
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
Gardner E
(2013)
Jets and the accretion flow in low-luminosity black holes
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
Aliu E
(2013)
LONG-TERM TeV AND X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF THE GAMMA-RAY BINARY HESS J0632+057
in The Astrophysical Journal
Algorri JF
(2013)
Modal liquid crystal array of optical elements.
in Optics express
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
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
Heida M
(2014)
Near-infrared counterparts of ultraluminous X-ray sources
in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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
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. 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
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
Gladstone J
(2013)
OPTICAL COUNTERPARTS OF THE NEAREST ULTRALUMINOUS X-RAY SOURCES
in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
Catala L
(2013)
Optical turbulence characterization at the SAAO Sutherland site
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
Hardy L
(2015)
pt5m - a 0.5 m robotic telescope on La Palma
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 |