Astroparticle Physics

Description

Describes the branch of astronomy in which processes in the universe are investigated with experimental methods employed in particle-physics experiments. After a historical introduction the basics of elementary particles, Explains particle interactions and the relevant detection techniques, while modern aspects of astroparticle physics are described in a chapter on cosmology. Provides an orientation in the field of astroparticle physics that many beginners might seek and appreciate because the underlying physics fundamentals are presented with little mathematics, and the results are illustrated by many diagrams. Readers have a chance to enter this field of astronomy with a book that closes the gap between expert and popular level. Preface to the Present Second English Edition (2020) Preface to the First English Edition (2005) Preface to the German Edition Contents 1 Historical Introduction 1.1 Early Indications of Celestial Phenomena in the Sky 1.2 Discoveries in the 20th Century 1.3 Discoveries of New Elementary Particles in Cosmic Rays 1.4 Start of the Satellite Era 1.5 Contributions of Accelerators to Cosmic Rays 1.6 Renaissance of Cosmic Rays 1.7 Open Questions 1.8 Problems 2 The Standard Model of Elementary Particles 2.1 Examples of Interaction Processes 2.2 Quantum Numbers and Symmetries 2.3 Unified Theory of Interactions 2.4 Problems 3 Kinematics and Cross Sections 3.1 Threshold Energies 3.2 Examples for the Determination of Center-of-Mass Energies 3.3 Four-Vectors 3.4 Examples for the Treatment of Decays 3.4.1 Two-Body Decays 3.4.2 Three-Body Decays 3.5 Lorentz Transformations 3.6 Determination of Cross Sections 3.7 Problems 4 Physics of Particle and Radiation Detection 4.1 Interactions of Astroparticles 4.2 Interaction Processes Used for Particle Detection 4.3 Particle Identification 4.4 Principles of the Atmospheric Air Cherenkov Technique 4.5 Special Aspects of Photon Detection 4.6 Cryogenic Detection Techniques 4.7 Propagation and Interactions of Astroparticles in Galactic and Extragalactic Space 4.8 Characteristic Features of Detectors 4.9 Problems 5 Acceleration Mechanisms 5.1 Cyclotron Mechanisms 5.2 Acceleration by Sunspots 5.3 Shock Acceleration 5.4 Fermi Mechanisms 5.5 Pulsars 5.6 Binaries 5.7 Energy Spectra for Primary Particles 5.8 Problems 6 Primary Cosmic Rays 6.1 Charged Component of Primary Cosmic Rays 6.2 Nature and Origin of the Highest-Energy Cosmic Rays 6.3 Neutrino Astronomy 6.3.1 Atmospheric Neutrinos 6.3.2 Solar Neutrinos 6.3.3 Supernova Neutrinos 6.3.4 High-Energy Galactic and Extragalactic Neutrinos 6.3.5 Geoneutrinos 6.4 Gamma Astronomy 6.4.1 Introduction 6.4.2 Production Mechanisms for γ Rays 6.4.3 Detection of γ Rays 6.4.4 Observation of γ-Ray Point Sources 6.4.5 γ-Ray Bursters 6.5 X-Ray Astronomy 6.5.1 Introduction 6.5.2 Production Mechanisms for X Rays 6.5.3 Detection of X Rays 6.5.4 Observation of X-Ray Sources 6.6 Gravitational-Wave Astronomy 6.7 Problems 7 Secondary Cosmic Rays 7.1 Propagation in the Atmosphere 7.2 Cosmic Rays at Sea Level 7.3 Cosmic Rays Underground 7.4 Extensive Air Showers 7.5 Radio Measurement of Air Showers 7.6 Acoustic Detection of Air Showers 7.7 Some Thoughts on the Highest Energies 7.8 Summary 7.9 Problems 8 Cosmology 8.1 The Hubble Expansion 8.2 The Isotropic and Homogeneous Universe 8.3 The Friedmann Equation from Newtonian Gravity 8.4 The Fluid Equation 8.5 The Acceleration Equation 8.6 Solution of the Friedmann Equation Without Vacuum Energy 8.7 Experimental Evidence for the Vacuum Energy 8.8 Summary 8.9 Problems 9 The Early Universe 9.1 The Planck Scale 9.2 Thermodynamics of the Early Universe 9.3 Equation of State 9.4 Refining the Solution of the Friedmann Equation 9.5 Thermal History of the First Ten Microseconds 9.6 The Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe 9.6.1 Experimental Evidence for the Baryon Asymmetry 9.6.2 Size of the Baryon Asymmetry 9.6.3 The Sakharov Conditions 9.7 Summary 9.8 Problems 10 Big Bang Nucleosynthesis 10.1 Some Ingredients for the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis 10.2 Start of the BBQ Era 10.3 The Neutron-to-Proton Ratio 10.4 Synthesis of Light Elements 10.5 Detailed Big Bang Nucleosynthesis 10.6 Determination of the Number of Neutrino Families 10.7 Summary 10.8 Problems 11 The Cosmic Microwave Background 11.1 Prelude: Transition to a Matter-Dominated Universe 11.2 Discovery and Basic Properties of the CMB 11.3 Formation of the CMB 11.4 CMB Anisotropies 11.5 The Monopole and Dipole Terms 11.6 Small-Angle Anisotropy 11.7 Determination of Cosmological Parameters 11.8 Summary 11.9 Problems 12 Inflation 12.1 The Horizon Problem 12.2 The Flatness Problem 12.3 The Monopole Problem 12.4 How Inflation Works 12.5 Mechanisms for Inflation 12.6 Solution to the Flatness Problem 12.7 Solution to the Horizon Problem 12.8 Solution of the Monopole Problem 12.9 Inflation and Growth of Structure 12.10 Outlook on Inflation 12.11 Summary 12.12 Problems 13 Dark Energy and Dark Matter 13.1 Large-Scale Structure of the Universe 13.2 Dark Energy 13.3 Dark Matter 13.3.1 Dark Stars 13.3.2 Neutrinos as Dark Matter 13.3.3 Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) 13.3.4 Axions 13.3.5 The Role of Dark Matter and the Vacuum Energy Density 13.3.6 Galaxy Formation 13.3.7 Resume on Dark Matter and Dark Energy 13.4 Summary 13.5 Problems 14 Astrobiology 14.1 Extrasolar Planets 14.2 Extremophiles 14.3 Finely Tuned Parameters of Life 14.4 Multiverses and the Anthropic Principle 14.5 Summary 14.6 Problems 15 Outlook 15.1 Summary 15.2 Problems Solutions Glossary Photo Credits and References Further Reading Index