The Precursor of GRB211211A:A Tide-induced Giant Quake?

The equilibrium configuration of a solid strange star in the final inspiral phase with another compact object is generally discussed,and the starquake-related issue is revisited,for a special purpose to understand the precursor emission of binary compact star merger events(e.g.,that of GRB211211A).As the binary system inspirals inward due to gravitational wave radiation,the ellipticity of the solid strangeon star increases due to the growing tidal field of its compact companion.Elastic energy is hence accumulated during the inspiral stage which might trigger a starquake before the merger when the energy exceeds a critical value.The energy released during such starquakes is calculated and compared to the precursor observation of GRB211211 A.The result shows that the energy might be insufficient for binary strangeon-star case unless the entire solid strangeon star shatters,and hence favors a black hole-strangeon star scenario for GRB211211A.The timescale of the precursor as well as the frequency of the observed quasi-periodic-oscillation have also been discussed in the starquake model.

POLAR伽马暴瞬时辐射偏振测量与脉冲星导航试验研究进展

伽马射线暴(简称伽马暴,gamma-ray burst,GRB)从发现至今已超过半个世纪,其观测样本得到了极大提高,理论研究也取得了瞩目的成果.但对伽马暴的研究还有诸多未解之谜,例如伽马暴的分类和起源、爆发过程中的喷流成分、辐射机制和磁场构型等.其中,对于伽马暴的辐射机制,科学家提出了多种理论模型,不同的模型对于伽马暴爆发期间产生的伽马射线偏振状态的预测不同.因此,采用测量偏振的方法,可以对伽马暴的爆发机制进行研究,并且理解产生伽马射线的极端相对论喷流的结构及其磁场的构型等物理问题.然而,测量伽马暴瞬时辐射过程中的偏振具有极高的挑战性.伽马暴偏振探测仪(POLAR)是一台专门用于高精度测量伽马暴瞬时辐射偏振的空间望远镜,2016年9月15日搭载于我国的空间实验室“天宫二号”成功发射.POLAR在轨共探测到55个确认的伽马暴,首批给出了5个伽马暴的高精度偏振测量结果,最终统计性地给出了14个伽马暴的偏振测量结果.同时,POLAR还观测到了Crab脉冲星信号和太阳X射线耀发事件等.本文简要介绍POLAR,并给出其在轨伽马暴偏振测量结果以及利用观测到的脉冲星信号所开展的导航试验研究进展情况.此外,简要介绍POLAR的后续实验项目POLAR-2,对其未来的科学探测能力进行展望.

Recent observations and research progresses of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes during thunderstorms

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes(TGFs)are high-energy emissions in thunderstorms that were discovered first by satellite-based and then by ground-based gamma-ray detectors with photon energy up to tens of Me V.TGFs are a natural highenergy phenomenon associated with lightning discharges that frequently occur during thunderstorms.However,their production mechanisms and associated processes are still unclear.TGF studies have already been a research spotlight in the atmospheric electricity and high-energy atmosphere research areas.In this paper,we review recent research progresses on TGF studies in the past decade,including TGF detection,the relationship between TGFs and lightning processes,and thunderstorm activities.Several unsolved important scientific questions are discussed.Results suggest that upward TGFs observed by satellite-based detectors are closely connected with the development of in-cloud upward negative leaders.They are usually generated in milliseconds of the initiation of upward negative leaders and may produce a kind of distinct radio emissions because of the generation and propagation of huge amounts of high-energy electrons.By contrast,its counterpart,i.e.,downward TGFs observed by ground-based gamma-ray detectors,is associated with different types of lightning processes,such as downward negative or upward positive leaders,the initial continuing current stage of rocket-triggered lightning flashes return stroke processes.Because of limited observations,how these downward TGFs are generated is still unclear.Benefiting from the development of state-of-the-art instruments with high temporal and spatial resolutions,new insights into the processes and mechanisms of TGFs will be achieved with coordinated observations from satellite-based and ground-based measurements.

Insight-HXMT observations of the first binary neutron star merger GW170817

Finding the electromagnetic(EM) counterpart of binary compact star merger, especially the binary neutron star(BNS) merger,is critically important for gravitational wave(GW) astronomy, cosmology and fundamental physics. On Aug. 17, 2017,Advanced LIGO and Fermi/GBM independently triggered the first BNS merger, GW170817, and its high energy EM counterpart,GRB 170817 A, respectively, resulting in a global observation campaign covering gamma-ray, X-ray, UV, optical, IR, radio as well as neutrinos. The High Energy X-ray telescope(HE) onboard Insight-HXMT(Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope) is the unique high-energy gamma-ray telescope that monitored the entire GW localization area and especially the optical counterpart(SSS17 a/AT2017 gfo) with very large collection area(~1000 cm^2) and microsecond time resolution in 0.2-5 MeV. In addition,Insight-HXMT quickly implemented a Target of Opportunity(ToO) observation to scan the GW localization area for potential X-ray emission from the GW source. Although Insight-HXMT did not detect any significant high energy(0.2-5 MeV) radiation from GW170817, its observation helped to confirm the unexpected weak and soft nature of GRB 170817 A. Meanwhile,Insight-HXMT/HE provides one of the most stringent constraints(~10^(-7) to 10^(-6) erg/cm^2/s) for both GRB170817 A and any other possible precursor or extended emissions in 0.2-5 MeV, which help us to better understand the properties of EM radiation from this BNS merger. Therefore the observation of Insight-HXMT constitutes an important chapter in the full context of multi-wavelength and multi-messenger observation of this historical GW event.

Overview to the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (Insight-HXMT) Satellite

As China’s first X-ray astronomical satellite, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT), which was dubbed as Insight-HXMT after the launch on June 15, 2017, is a wide-band(1-250 ke V) slat-collimator-based X-ray astronomy satellite with the capability of all-sky monitoring in 0.2-3 Me V. It was designed to perform pointing, scanning and gamma-ray burst(GRB)observations and, based on the Direct Demodulation Method (DDM), the image of the scanned sky region can be reconstructed.Here we give an overview of the mission and its progresses, including payload, core sciences, ground calibration/facility, ground segment, data archive, software, in-orbit performance, calibration, background model, observations and some preliminary results.

The enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP

In this paper we present the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission—eXTP. eXTP is a space science mission designed to study fundamental physics under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. The mission aims at determining the equation of state of matter at supra-nuclear density, measuring effects of QED, and understanding the dynamics of matter in strong-field gravity. In addition to investigating fundamental physics, eXTP will be a very powerful observatory for astrophysics that will provide observations of unprecedented quality on a variety of galactic and extragalactic objects. In particular, its wide field monitoring capabilities will be highly instrumental to detect the electro-magnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources.The paper provides a detailed description of:(1) the technological and technical aspects, and the expected performance of the instruments of the scientific payload;(2) the elements and functions of the mission, from the spacecraft to the ground segment.

The High Energy X-ray telescope (HE) onboard the Insight-HXMT astronomy satellite

The Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope(Insight-HXMT) is a broadband X-ray and γ-ray(1-3000 ke V) astronomy satellite. One of its three main telescopes is the High Energy X-ray telescope(HE). The main detector plane of HE comprises 18 Na I(Tl)/Cs I(Na) phoswich detectors, where Na I(Tl) is used as the primary detector to measure ~ 20-250 ke V photons incident from the field of view(FOV) defined by collimators, and Cs I(Na) is used as the active shielding detector to Na I(Tl) by pulse shape discrimination. Additionally, Cs I(Na) is used as an omnidirectional γ-ray monitor. The HE collimators have a diverse FOV,i.e. 1.1°×5.7°(15 units), 5.7°×5.7°(2 units), and blocked(1 unit). Therefore, the combined FOV of HE is approximately5.7°×5.7°. Each HE detector has a diameter of 190 mm resulting in a total geometrical area of approximately 5100 cm2, and the energy resolution is ~15% at 60 ke V. For each recorded X-ray event by HE, the timing accuracy is less than 10 μs and the deadtime is less than 10 μs. HE is used for observing spectra and temporal variability of X-ray sources in the 20-250 ke V band either by pointing observations for known sources or scanning observations to unveil new sources. Additionally, HE is used for monitoring the γ-ray burst in 0.2-3 Me V band. This paper not only presents the design and performance of HE instruments but also reports results of the on-ground calibration experiments.

The Low Energy X-ray telescope (LE) onboard the Insight-HXMT astronomy satellite

The Low Energy X-ray telescope(LE) is one of the three main instruments of the Insight-Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope(Insight-HXMT). It is equipped with Swept Charge Device(SCD) sensor arrays with a total geometrical area of 384 cm^2 and an energy band from 0.7 to 13 ke V. In order to evaluate the particle induced X-ray background and the cosmic X-ray background simultaneously, LE adopts collimators to define four types of Field Of Views(FOVs), i.e., 1.6°×6°, 4°×6°, 50°-60°×2°-6 oand the blocked ones which block the X-ray by an aluminum cover. LE is constituted of three detector boxes(LEDs) and an electric control box(LEB) and achieves a good energy resolution of 140 e V@5.9 ke V, an excellent time resolution of 0.98 ms, as well as an extremely low pileup(<1%@18000 cts/s). Detailed performance tests and calibration on the ground have been performed,including energy-channel relation, energy response, detection efficiency and time response.

The Medium Energy X-ray telescope (ME) onboard the Insight-HXMT astronomy satellite

The Medium Energy X-ray telescope(ME) is one of the three main telescopes on board the Insight hard X-ray modulation telescope(Insight-HXMT) astronomy satellite. ME contains 1728 pixels of Si-PIN detectors sensitive in 5-30 ke V with a total geometrical area of 952 cm^2. The application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) chip, VA32TA6, is used to achieve low power consumption and low readout noise. The collimators define three kinds of field of views(FOVs) for the telescope, 1°×4°, 4°×4°,and blocked ones. Combination of such FOVs can be used to estimate the in-orbit X-ray and particle background components.The energy resolution of ME is ~3 ke V at 17.8 ke V(FWHM) and the time resolution is 255 μs. In this paper, we introduce the design and performance of ME.

Observatory science with eXTP

In this White Paper we present the potential of the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry(eXTP) mission for studies related to Observatory Science targets. These include flaring stars, supernova remnants, accreting white dwarfs, low and high mass X-ray binaries, radio quiet and radio loud active galactic nuclei, tidal disruption events, and gamma-ray bursts. eXTP will be excellently suited to study one common aspect of these objects: their often transient nature. Developed by an international Consortium led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science, the eXTP mission is expected to be launched in the mid 2020s.

The design and implementation of GECAM satellite payload performancemonitoring software

Background The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)is primarily designed to spot gamma-ray bursts corresponding to gravitational waves.In order to achieve stable observations from various astronomical phenomena,the payload performance need to be monitored during the in-orbit operation.Method This article describes the design and implementation of GECAM satellite payload performance monitoring(GPPM)software.The software extracts the payload status and telescope observations(light curves,energy spectrums,characteristic peak fitting of energy spectrums,etc)from the payload data.Considering the large amount of payload status parameters in the engineering data,we have designed a method of parameter processing based on the configuration tables.This method can deal with the frequent changes of the data formats and facilitate program maintenance.Payload status and performance are monitored through defined thresholds and monitoring reports.The entire software is implemented in python language and the huge amount of observation data is stored in MongoDB.Conclusion The design and implementation of GPPM software have been completed,tested with ground and in-orbit payload data.The software can monitor the performance of GECAM payload effectively.The overall design of the software and the data processing method can be applied to other satellites.

Result of proton beam energy calibration of GECAM satellite charged particle detector

Purpose A charged particle detector(CPD)is one of two main detectors on the GECAM satellite.It was designed to detect charged particles.Electrons and protons are space’s mainly charged particles.So,a research on the proton detection ability of a CPD and deriving the energy response to charged particles of the CPD in the two designed operating modes is important.Method The proton calibration tests of the CPD under diferent working modes were carried out at the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou.Result and conclusion Through testing and analysis,it was concluded that when CPD works in semi-component mode,it can detect the maximum energy,and when working in full-component mode,it can provide better energy resolution.