High-energy astrophysics
Source Populations and Multimessenger Connection
Multimessenger and multiwavelength observations are vital to understanding high-energy processes in extreme environments, such as pulsars and jets from active galactic nuclei. By linking data from different messengers—photons, neutrinos, and cosmic rays—we explore the mechanisms behind these powerful sources.
Our research focuses on compact objects like black holes in X-ray binaries and pulsars, studying their emission across the electromagnetic spectrum. These sources may contribute to diffuse radio and gamma-ray radiation. By analysing the individually resolved objects, we aim to characterise their emission properties, and assess their role in shaping the Galactic background and their potential contribution to cosmic rays.
Old pulsars have been proposed as potential contributors to the Fermi-LAT GeV excess, a mysterious emission detected towards the Galactic centre. By comparing simulations of the pulsars’ Galactic populations with observational data, we aim to identify these sources and clarify their role in the broader multimessenger and multiwavelength landscape.
We also study the origin of high-energy neutrinos, combining neutrino and gamma-ray data to constrain possible source populations. The discovery of a neutrino flux by IceCube has allowed us to explore both Galactic and extragalactic origins, helping refine our understanding of extreme astrophysical phenomena.
Nature of Cosmic Backgrounds
Cosmic backgrounds are the diffuse radiation fields that permeate the universe across various wavelengths, from radio to gamma rays. These backgrounds carry critical information about the early universe, the formation and evolution of structures, and the energetic processes occurring across cosmic time. Understanding the nature and origins of these backgrounds is essential for unlocking the secrets of the cosmos.
Our research focuses on understanding the origins of these backgrounds, particularly in the X-ray and gamma-ray regimes, which are key to probing the high-energy universe. By studying the spectrum, anisotropies, and potential deviations in these cosmic backgrounds, we aim to uncover insights into the universe’s composition, its large-scale structure, and the sources contributing to these diffuse emissions.
Beyond traditional astrophysical sources, we explore potential signatures of dark matter and other exotic phenomena, such as high-frequency gravitational waves, axions, and neutrino cosmological backgrounds. These components may leave subtle imprints on cosmic backgrounds, helping to probe physics beyond the Standard Model.
Origin of Gravitational Waves
Gravitational waves (GWs) offer a powerful tool to study the universe, revealing insights into coalescing binary systems like neutron stars and black holes. Our research explores how these systems are distributed within the large-scale structure of the universe. By cross-correlating GW data with galaxy catalogs, we aim to uncover their cosmic origins. Current detectors such as LIGO and Virgo provide limited sensitivity, but future upgrades, including KAGRA and the Einstein Telescope, will enhance our ability to map binary mergers and even probe primordial black holes.
We also investigate connections between GWs and millisecond pulsars, particularly as potential sources of the gamma-ray excess observed in the Galactic centre. Future detectors are expected to offer crucial diagnostics for this hypothesis.
Furthermore, we study the star formation rates of compact binary populations using next-generation GW detectors. By mapping their formation across cosmic time, we aim to better understand early star populations, including Population III stars, and their impact on the universe’s evolution.
Recent Publications
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D. Kantzas and F. Calore, « Quiescent black hole X-ray binaries as multi-messenger sources », Astronomy & Astrophysics 690 (2024) A87
- J. Berteaud, et al., « Galactic bulge millisecond pulsars shining in x rays: A gamma-ray perspective« , Phys.Rev.D 104 (2021) 4,043007
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A. Emaeili, et al., « Ultrahigh energy neutrinos from high-redshift electromagnetic cascades », Phys.Rev.D 106 (2022) 12, 123016
- F. Calore, et al., « Cross-correlating galaxy catalogs and gravitational waves: a tomographic approach », Phys.Rev.Res. 2 (2020) 023314
Codes and Databases
- MUNHECA a public astrophysical code to simulate the electromagnetic cascade and compute the neutrino spectrum from the cascade development.