Astroparticle physics
The astroparticle or particle astrophysics , including high energy astrophysics called, is a branch of astrophysics , the methods and techniques of particle physics applies to astrophysical problems.
Observation techniques
The basis of traditional astronomical observations is the reception of electromagnetic radiation from the cosmos. Astroparticle physics supplements the information that can be obtained from such observations about cosmic events by the detection of elementary particles of cosmic origin. An important example are cosmic neutrinos , such as those generated by supernovae . Experiments such as AMANDA or IceCube serve to prove this .
Another example is the detection of so-called cosmic radiation , as it is carried out for example with the Pierre Auger Observatory or at KASCADE-Grande . It is hoped that such experiments will provide information about cosmic particle accelerators , as one suspects in supernovae or other high- energy astrophysical processes.
Furthermore, particle detectors such as CRESST or EDELWEISS are used to directly detect the constituents of so-called dark matter , which plays an important role in astronomical observations in the cosmos.
Even the highest- energy electromagnetic gamma rays , which cannot be detected with telescopes but only with particle detectors, fall into the field of astroparticle physics.
Particle physics explanatory models
In the standard models of cosmology , the universe emerged from an extremely dense and hot early state around 14 billion years ago. With such energy densities, particle physics models are required to explain the properties of matter at that time, such as the slight excess of matter over antimatter (so-called baryon asymmetry ).
Another example of the use of declarations from the particle in astrophysics is the theoretical explanation of density fluctuations in the earliest universe (fractions of a second after the Big Bang ) formed on so-called inflation models goes back, the field concepts combine the particle physics and cosmic expansion. Observations of the cosmic background radiation , for example with the Planck satellite telescope, should provide information about the details of these early fluctuations .
Attempts to explain dark matter through suitable species of elementary particles (e.g. specific supersymmetric partner particles ) and attempts to trace back the so-called dark energy , which accelerates cosmic expansion , to the effects of quantum field theory stand on as yet uncertain feet .
See also
literature
- Claus Grupen: Astroparticle Physics. Vieweg, Braunschweig 2000, ISBN 3-528-03158-1
- Alexander Krasnitz: New worlds in astroparticle physics. World Scientific, Singapore 2003, ISBN 981-238-584-3
- Christian Spiering: Astroparticle Physics. Successes and Perspectives. In: Stars and Space 6/2008, pp. 46–54
- Hans Klapdor-Kleingrothaus , Kai Zuber: Particle Astrophysics, Teubner 1997 (English Particle Astrophysics IOP 1997, 2nd edition 1999)