Project acronym BEAMING
Project Detecting massive-planet/brown-dwarf/low-mass-stellar companions with the beaming effect
Researcher (PI) Moshe Zvi Mazeh
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE9, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary "I propose to lead an international observational effort to characterize the population of massive planets, brown dwarf and stellar secondaries orbiting their parent stars with short periods, up to 10-30 days. The effort will utilize the superb, accurate, continuous lightcurves of more than hundred thousand stars obtained recently by two space missions – CoRoT and Kepler. I propose to use these lightcurves to detect non-transiting low-mass companions with a new algorithm, BEER, which I developed recently together with Simchon Faigler. BEER searches for the beaming effect, which causes the stellar intensity to increase if the star is moving towards the observer. The combination of the beaming effect with other modulations induced by a low-mass companion produces periodic modulation with a specific signature, which is used to detect small non-transiting companions. The accuracy of the space mission lightcurves is enough to detect massive planets with short periods. The proposed project is equivalent to a radial-velocity survey of tens of thousands of stars, instead of the presently active surveys which observe only hundreds of stars.
We will use an assortment of telescopes to perform radial velocity follow-up observations in order to confirm the existence of the detected companions, and to derive their masses and orbital eccentricities. We will discover many tens, if not hundreds, of new massive planets and brown dwarfs with short periods, and many thousands of new binaries. The findings will enable us to map the mass, period, and eccentricity distributions of planets and stellar companions, determine the upper mass of planets, understand the nature of the brown-dwarf desert, and put strong constrains on the theory of planet and binary formation and evolution."
Summary
"I propose to lead an international observational effort to characterize the population of massive planets, brown dwarf and stellar secondaries orbiting their parent stars with short periods, up to 10-30 days. The effort will utilize the superb, accurate, continuous lightcurves of more than hundred thousand stars obtained recently by two space missions – CoRoT and Kepler. I propose to use these lightcurves to detect non-transiting low-mass companions with a new algorithm, BEER, which I developed recently together with Simchon Faigler. BEER searches for the beaming effect, which causes the stellar intensity to increase if the star is moving towards the observer. The combination of the beaming effect with other modulations induced by a low-mass companion produces periodic modulation with a specific signature, which is used to detect small non-transiting companions. The accuracy of the space mission lightcurves is enough to detect massive planets with short periods. The proposed project is equivalent to a radial-velocity survey of tens of thousands of stars, instead of the presently active surveys which observe only hundreds of stars.
We will use an assortment of telescopes to perform radial velocity follow-up observations in order to confirm the existence of the detected companions, and to derive their masses and orbital eccentricities. We will discover many tens, if not hundreds, of new massive planets and brown dwarfs with short periods, and many thousands of new binaries. The findings will enable us to map the mass, period, and eccentricity distributions of planets and stellar companions, determine the upper mass of planets, understand the nature of the brown-dwarf desert, and put strong constrains on the theory of planet and binary formation and evolution."
Max ERC Funding
1 737 600 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2016-12-31
Project acronym CYFI
Project Cycle-Sculpted Strong Field Optics
Researcher (PI) Andrius Baltuska
Host Institution (HI) TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary The past decade saw a remarkable progress in the development of attosecond technologies based on the use of intense few-cycle optical pulses. The control over the underlying single-cycle phenomena, such as the higher-order harmonic generation by an ionized and subsequently re-scattered electronic wave packet, has become routine once the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of an amplified laser pulse was stabilized, opening the way to maintain the shot-to-shot reproducible pulse electric field. Drawing on a mix of several laser technologies and phase-control concepts, this proposal aims to take strong-field optical tools to a conceptually new level: from adjusting the intensity and timing of a principal half-cycle to achieving a full-fledged multicolor Fourier synthesis of the optical cycle dynamics by controlling a multi-dimensional space of carrier frequencies, relative, and absolute phases. The applicant and his team, through their unique expertise in the CEP control and optical amplification methods, are currently best positioned to pioneer the development of an optical programmable “attosecond optical shaper” and attain the relevant multicolor pulse intensity levels of PW/cm2. This will enable an immediate pursuit of several exciting strong-field applications that can be jump-started by the emergence of a technique for the fully-controlled cycle sculpting and would rely on the relevant experimental capabilities already established in the applicant’s emerging group. We show that even the simplest form of an incommensurate-frequency synthesizer can potentially solve the long-standing debate on the mechanism of strong-field rectification. More advanced waveforms will be employed to dramatically enhance coherent X ray yield, trace the time profile of attosecond ionization in transparent bulk solids, and potentially control the result of molecular dissociation by influencing electronic coherences in polyatomic molecules.
Summary
The past decade saw a remarkable progress in the development of attosecond technologies based on the use of intense few-cycle optical pulses. The control over the underlying single-cycle phenomena, such as the higher-order harmonic generation by an ionized and subsequently re-scattered electronic wave packet, has become routine once the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) of an amplified laser pulse was stabilized, opening the way to maintain the shot-to-shot reproducible pulse electric field. Drawing on a mix of several laser technologies and phase-control concepts, this proposal aims to take strong-field optical tools to a conceptually new level: from adjusting the intensity and timing of a principal half-cycle to achieving a full-fledged multicolor Fourier synthesis of the optical cycle dynamics by controlling a multi-dimensional space of carrier frequencies, relative, and absolute phases. The applicant and his team, through their unique expertise in the CEP control and optical amplification methods, are currently best positioned to pioneer the development of an optical programmable “attosecond optical shaper” and attain the relevant multicolor pulse intensity levels of PW/cm2. This will enable an immediate pursuit of several exciting strong-field applications that can be jump-started by the emergence of a technique for the fully-controlled cycle sculpting and would rely on the relevant experimental capabilities already established in the applicant’s emerging group. We show that even the simplest form of an incommensurate-frequency synthesizer can potentially solve the long-standing debate on the mechanism of strong-field rectification. More advanced waveforms will be employed to dramatically enhance coherent X ray yield, trace the time profile of attosecond ionization in transparent bulk solids, and potentially control the result of molecular dissociation by influencing electronic coherences in polyatomic molecules.
Max ERC Funding
980 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2015-06-30
Project acronym DIASPORAINTRANSITION
Project A Diaspora in Transition - Cultural and Religious Changes in Western Sephardic Communities in the Early Modern Period
Researcher (PI) Yosef Mauricio Kaplan
Host Institution (HI) THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH6, ERC-2011-ADG_20110406
Summary The communities of the Western Sephardic Diaspora were founded in the 16th and 17th centuries by New Christians from Iberia who returned to Judaism that had been abandoned by their ancestors in the late Middle Ages. This project will concentrate on the changes in the religious conceptions and behavior as well as the cultural patterns of the communities of Amsterdam, Hamburg, Leghorn, London, and Bordeaux. We will analyze the vigorous activity of their leaders to set the boundaries of their new religious identity in comparison to the policy of several Christian “communities of belief,” which went into exile following religious persecution in their homelands. We will also examine the changes in the attitude toward Judaism during the 17th century in certain segments of the Sephardic Diaspora: rather than a normative system covering every area of life, Judaism came to be seen as a system of faith restricted to the religious sphere. We will seek to explain the extent to which this significant change influenced their institutions and social behaviour. This study will provide us with better understanding of the place of the Jews in European society. At the same time, we will subject a central series of concepts in the historiographical discourse of the Early Modern Period to critical analysis: confessionalization, disciplinary revolution, civilizing process, affective individualism, etc. This phase of the research will be based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of many hundreds of documents, texts and the material remains of these communities. Using sociological and anthropological models, we will analyze ceremonies and rituals described at length in the sources, the social and cultural meaning of the architecture of the Sephardic synagogues of that time, and of other visual symbols.
Summary
The communities of the Western Sephardic Diaspora were founded in the 16th and 17th centuries by New Christians from Iberia who returned to Judaism that had been abandoned by their ancestors in the late Middle Ages. This project will concentrate on the changes in the religious conceptions and behavior as well as the cultural patterns of the communities of Amsterdam, Hamburg, Leghorn, London, and Bordeaux. We will analyze the vigorous activity of their leaders to set the boundaries of their new religious identity in comparison to the policy of several Christian “communities of belief,” which went into exile following religious persecution in their homelands. We will also examine the changes in the attitude toward Judaism during the 17th century in certain segments of the Sephardic Diaspora: rather than a normative system covering every area of life, Judaism came to be seen as a system of faith restricted to the religious sphere. We will seek to explain the extent to which this significant change influenced their institutions and social behaviour. This study will provide us with better understanding of the place of the Jews in European society. At the same time, we will subject a central series of concepts in the historiographical discourse of the Early Modern Period to critical analysis: confessionalization, disciplinary revolution, civilizing process, affective individualism, etc. This phase of the research will be based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of many hundreds of documents, texts and the material remains of these communities. Using sociological and anthropological models, we will analyze ceremonies and rituals described at length in the sources, the social and cultural meaning of the architecture of the Sephardic synagogues of that time, and of other visual symbols.
Max ERC Funding
1 671 200 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-03-01, End date: 2018-02-28
Project acronym DLGAPS
Project Dynamics of Lie group actions on parameter spaces
Researcher (PI) Barak Weiss
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE1, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary There are many parallels between Lie group actions on homogeneous spaces and the action of $\SL_2(\R)$ and its subgroups on strata of translation or half-translation surfaces. I propose to investigate these two spaces in parallel, focusing on the dynamical
behavior, and more specifically, the description of orbit-closures.
I intend to utilize existing and emerging measure rigidity results, and to develop new topological
approaches. These should also shed light on the geometry and topology of the spaces. I propose to apply results concerning these spaces to the study of diophantine approximations (approximation on fractals), geometry of numbers (Minkowski's conjecture), interval exchanges, and rational billiards.
Summary
There are many parallels between Lie group actions on homogeneous spaces and the action of $\SL_2(\R)$ and its subgroups on strata of translation or half-translation surfaces. I propose to investigate these two spaces in parallel, focusing on the dynamical
behavior, and more specifically, the description of orbit-closures.
I intend to utilize existing and emerging measure rigidity results, and to develop new topological
approaches. These should also shed light on the geometry and topology of the spaces. I propose to apply results concerning these spaces to the study of diophantine approximations (approximation on fractals), geometry of numbers (Minkowski's conjecture), interval exchanges, and rational billiards.
Max ERC Funding
850 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-10-01, End date: 2016-09-30
Project acronym FADER
Project Flight Algorithms for Disaggregated Space Architectures
Researcher (PI) Pinchas Pini Gurfil
Host Institution (HI) TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE7, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary Standard spacecraft designs comprise modules assembled in a single monolithic structure. When unexpected situations occur, the spacecraft are unable to adequately respond, and significant functional and financial losses are unavoidable. For instance, if the payload of a spacecraft fails, the whole system becomes unserviceable and substitution of the entire spacecraft is required. It would be much easier to replace the payload module only than launch a completely new satellite. This idea gives rise to an emerging concept in space engineering termed disaggregated spacecraft. Disaggregated space architectures (DSA) consist of several physically-separated modules, interacting through wireless communication links to form a single virtual platform. Each module has one or more pre-determined functions: Navigation, attitude control, power generation and payload operation. The free-flying modules, capable of resource sharing, do not have to operate in a tightly-controlled formation, but are rather required to remain in bounded relative position and attitude, termed cluster flying. DSA enables novel space system architectures, which are expected to be much more efficient, adaptable, robust and responsive. The main goal of the proposed research is to develop beyond the state-of-the-art technologies in order to enable operational flight of DSA, by (i) developing algorithms for semi-autonomous long-duration maintenance of a cluster and cluster network, capable of adding and removing spacecraft modules to/from the cluster and cluster network; (ii) finding methods so as to autonomously reconfigure the cluster to retain safety- and mission-critical functionality in the face of network degradation or component failures; (iii) designing semi-autonomous cluster scatter and re-gather maneuvesr to rapidly evade a debris-like threat; and (iv) validating the said algorithms and methods in the Distributed Space Systems Laboratory in which the PI serves as a Principal Investigator.
Summary
Standard spacecraft designs comprise modules assembled in a single monolithic structure. When unexpected situations occur, the spacecraft are unable to adequately respond, and significant functional and financial losses are unavoidable. For instance, if the payload of a spacecraft fails, the whole system becomes unserviceable and substitution of the entire spacecraft is required. It would be much easier to replace the payload module only than launch a completely new satellite. This idea gives rise to an emerging concept in space engineering termed disaggregated spacecraft. Disaggregated space architectures (DSA) consist of several physically-separated modules, interacting through wireless communication links to form a single virtual platform. Each module has one or more pre-determined functions: Navigation, attitude control, power generation and payload operation. The free-flying modules, capable of resource sharing, do not have to operate in a tightly-controlled formation, but are rather required to remain in bounded relative position and attitude, termed cluster flying. DSA enables novel space system architectures, which are expected to be much more efficient, adaptable, robust and responsive. The main goal of the proposed research is to develop beyond the state-of-the-art technologies in order to enable operational flight of DSA, by (i) developing algorithms for semi-autonomous long-duration maintenance of a cluster and cluster network, capable of adding and removing spacecraft modules to/from the cluster and cluster network; (ii) finding methods so as to autonomously reconfigure the cluster to retain safety- and mission-critical functionality in the face of network degradation or component failures; (iii) designing semi-autonomous cluster scatter and re-gather maneuvesr to rapidly evade a debris-like threat; and (iv) validating the said algorithms and methods in the Distributed Space Systems Laboratory in which the PI serves as a Principal Investigator.
Max ERC Funding
1 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-10-01, End date: 2016-09-30
Project acronym FLATOUT
Project From Flat to Chiral: A unified approach to converting achiral aromatic compounds to optically active valuable building blocks
Researcher (PI) Nuno Xavier Dias Maulide
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITAT WIEN
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary "The stereoselective preparation of enantioenriched organic compounds of high structural complexity and synthetic value, in an economically viable and expeditious manner, is one of the most important goals in contemporary Organic Synthesis. In this proposal, I present a unified and conceptually novel approach for the conversion of flat, aromatic heterocycles into highly valuable compounds for a variety of applications. This approach hinges upon a synergistic combination of the dramatic power of organic photochemical transformations combined with the exceedingly high selectivity and atom-economy of efficient catalytic processes. Indeed, the use of probably the cheapest reagent (light) combined with a catalytic transformation ensures near perfect atom-economy in this journey from flat and inexpensive substructures to chiral added-value products. Conceptually, the photochemical operation is envisaged as a energy-loading step whereas the catalytic transformation functions as an energy-release where asymmetric information is inscribed into the products.
The chemistry proposed herein will open up new vistas in enantioselective synthesis. Furthermore, groundbreaking and unprecedented methodology in the field of catalytic allylic alkylation is proposed that significantly expands (and goes beyond) the currently accepted “dogmas” for these textbook reactions. These include (but are not limited to) systematic violations of well-established rules “by design”, new contexts for application, new activation modes and innovative leaving groups. Finally, the comprehensive body of synthetic technology presented will be applied to pressing target-oriented problems in Organic Synthesis. It shall result in a landmark, highly efficient total synthesis of Tamiflu, as well as in application to an environmentally important target (Fomannosin), allowing the easy production of analogues for biological testing."
Summary
"The stereoselective preparation of enantioenriched organic compounds of high structural complexity and synthetic value, in an economically viable and expeditious manner, is one of the most important goals in contemporary Organic Synthesis. In this proposal, I present a unified and conceptually novel approach for the conversion of flat, aromatic heterocycles into highly valuable compounds for a variety of applications. This approach hinges upon a synergistic combination of the dramatic power of organic photochemical transformations combined with the exceedingly high selectivity and atom-economy of efficient catalytic processes. Indeed, the use of probably the cheapest reagent (light) combined with a catalytic transformation ensures near perfect atom-economy in this journey from flat and inexpensive substructures to chiral added-value products. Conceptually, the photochemical operation is envisaged as a energy-loading step whereas the catalytic transformation functions as an energy-release where asymmetric information is inscribed into the products.
The chemistry proposed herein will open up new vistas in enantioselective synthesis. Furthermore, groundbreaking and unprecedented methodology in the field of catalytic allylic alkylation is proposed that significantly expands (and goes beyond) the currently accepted “dogmas” for these textbook reactions. These include (but are not limited to) systematic violations of well-established rules “by design”, new contexts for application, new activation modes and innovative leaving groups. Finally, the comprehensive body of synthetic technology presented will be applied to pressing target-oriented problems in Organic Synthesis. It shall result in a landmark, highly efficient total synthesis of Tamiflu, as well as in application to an environmentally important target (Fomannosin), allowing the easy production of analogues for biological testing."
Max ERC Funding
1 487 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2016-12-31
Project acronym FLOODCHANGE
Project Deciphering River Flood Change
Researcher (PI) Guenter Bloeschl
Host Institution (HI) TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary Many major and devastating floods have occurred around the world recently. Their number and magnitude seems to have increased but such changes are not clear. More surprisingly, the exact causes of changes remain a mystery. Although, drivers such as climate and land use change are known to play a critical role, their complex interactions in flood generation have not been disentangled.
The main objectives of this project are to understand how changes in land use and climate translate into changes in river floods, what are the factors controlling this relationship and what are the uncertainties involved. We decipher the relationship between changes in floods and their drivers by analysing the processes separately for different flood types such as flash floods, rain-on-snow floods and large scale synoptic floods. We then use data from catchments in transects across Europe to build a probabilistic flood-change model that explicitly describes the change mechanisms. The model is unconventional as it does not take a reductionist approach but conceptualises the dominant flood change processes at the catchment scale. We test the model on long high-quality flood data series. We use the model as well as the temporal and spatial data variability to quantify the sensitivity of floods to climate and land use change and estimate the uncertainties involved. The data are already available to me or will be made available through my excellent contacts in Europe.
For the first time, it will be possible to systematise the effects of land use and climate on floods which will provide a vital step towards predicting how floods will change in the future.
Summary
Many major and devastating floods have occurred around the world recently. Their number and magnitude seems to have increased but such changes are not clear. More surprisingly, the exact causes of changes remain a mystery. Although, drivers such as climate and land use change are known to play a critical role, their complex interactions in flood generation have not been disentangled.
The main objectives of this project are to understand how changes in land use and climate translate into changes in river floods, what are the factors controlling this relationship and what are the uncertainties involved. We decipher the relationship between changes in floods and their drivers by analysing the processes separately for different flood types such as flash floods, rain-on-snow floods and large scale synoptic floods. We then use data from catchments in transects across Europe to build a probabilistic flood-change model that explicitly describes the change mechanisms. The model is unconventional as it does not take a reductionist approach but conceptualises the dominant flood change processes at the catchment scale. We test the model on long high-quality flood data series. We use the model as well as the temporal and spatial data variability to quantify the sensitivity of floods to climate and land use change and estimate the uncertainties involved. The data are already available to me or will be made available through my excellent contacts in Europe.
For the first time, it will be possible to systematise the effects of land use and climate on floods which will provide a vital step towards predicting how floods will change in the future.
Max ERC Funding
2 263 565 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-04-01, End date: 2017-03-31
Project acronym GRAPH GAMES
Project Quantitative Graph Games: Theory and Applications
Researcher (PI) Krishnendu Chatterjee
Host Institution (HI) INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYAUSTRIA
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE6, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary The theory of games played on graphs provides the mathematical foundations to study numerous important problems in branches of mathematics, economics, computer science, biology, and other fields. One key application area in computer science is the formal verification of reactive systems. The system is modeled as a graph, in which vertices of the graph represent states of the system, edges represent transitions, and paths represent behavior of the system. The verification of the system in an arbitrary environment is then studied as a problem of game played on the graph, where the players represent the different interacting agents. Traditionally, these games have been studied either with Boolean objectives, or single quantitative objectives. However, for the problem of verification of systems that must behave correctly in resource-constrained environments (such as an embedded system) both Boolean and quantitative objectives are necessary: the Boolean objective for correctness specification and quantitative objective for resource-constraints. Thus we need to generalize the theory of graph games such that the objectives can express combinations of quantitative and Boolean objectives. In this project, we will focus on the following research objectives for the study of graph games with quantitative objectives:
(1) develop the mathematical theory and algorithms for the new class of games on graphs obtained by combining quantitative and Boolean objectives;
(2) develop practical techniques (such as compositional and abstraction techniques) that allow our algorithmic solutions be implemented efficiently to handle large game graphs;
(3) explore new application areas to demonstrate the application of quantitative graph games in diverse disciplines; and
(4) develop the theory of games on graphs with infinite state space and with quantitative objectives.
since the theory of graph games is foundational in several disciplines, new algorithmic solutions are expected.
Summary
The theory of games played on graphs provides the mathematical foundations to study numerous important problems in branches of mathematics, economics, computer science, biology, and other fields. One key application area in computer science is the formal verification of reactive systems. The system is modeled as a graph, in which vertices of the graph represent states of the system, edges represent transitions, and paths represent behavior of the system. The verification of the system in an arbitrary environment is then studied as a problem of game played on the graph, where the players represent the different interacting agents. Traditionally, these games have been studied either with Boolean objectives, or single quantitative objectives. However, for the problem of verification of systems that must behave correctly in resource-constrained environments (such as an embedded system) both Boolean and quantitative objectives are necessary: the Boolean objective for correctness specification and quantitative objective for resource-constraints. Thus we need to generalize the theory of graph games such that the objectives can express combinations of quantitative and Boolean objectives. In this project, we will focus on the following research objectives for the study of graph games with quantitative objectives:
(1) develop the mathematical theory and algorithms for the new class of games on graphs obtained by combining quantitative and Boolean objectives;
(2) develop practical techniques (such as compositional and abstraction techniques) that allow our algorithmic solutions be implemented efficiently to handle large game graphs;
(3) explore new application areas to demonstrate the application of quantitative graph games in diverse disciplines; and
(4) develop the theory of games on graphs with infinite state space and with quantitative objectives.
since the theory of graph games is foundational in several disciplines, new algorithmic solutions are expected.
Max ERC Funding
1 163 111 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-12-01, End date: 2016-11-30
Project acronym GRB-SN
Project The Gamma Ray Burst – Supernova Connection
and Shock Breakout Physics
Researcher (PI) Ehud Nakar
Host Institution (HI) TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE9, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary Long gamma ray bursts (long GRBs) and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are two of the most spectacular explosions in the Universe. They are a focal point of research for many reasons. Nevertheless, despite considerable effort during the last several decades, there are still many fundamental open questions regarding their physics.
Long GRBs and CCSNe are related. We know that they are both an outcome of a massive star collapse, where in some cases, such collapse produces simultaneously a GRB and a SN. However, we do not know how a single stellar collapse can produce these two apparently very different explosions. The GRB-SN connection raises many questions, but it also offers new opportunities to learn on the two types of explosions.
The focus of the proposed research is on the connection between CCSNe and GRBs, and on the physics of shock breakout. As I explain in this proposal, shock breakouts play an important role in this connection and therefore, I will develop a comprehensive theory of relativistic and Newtonian shock breakout. In addition, I will study the propagation of relativistic jets inside stars, including the effects of jet propagation and GRB engine on the emerging SN. This will be done by a set of interrelated projects that carefully combine analytic calculations and numerical simulations. Together, these projects will be the first to model a GRB and a SN that are simultaneously produced in a single star. This in turn will be used to gain new insights into long GRBs and CCSNe in general.
This research will also make a direct contribution to cosmic explosions research in general. Any observable cosmic explosion must go through a shock breakout and a considerable effort is invested these days in large field of view surveys in search for these breakouts. This program will provide a new theoretical base for the interpretation of the upcoming observations.
Summary
Long gamma ray bursts (long GRBs) and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) are two of the most spectacular explosions in the Universe. They are a focal point of research for many reasons. Nevertheless, despite considerable effort during the last several decades, there are still many fundamental open questions regarding their physics.
Long GRBs and CCSNe are related. We know that they are both an outcome of a massive star collapse, where in some cases, such collapse produces simultaneously a GRB and a SN. However, we do not know how a single stellar collapse can produce these two apparently very different explosions. The GRB-SN connection raises many questions, but it also offers new opportunities to learn on the two types of explosions.
The focus of the proposed research is on the connection between CCSNe and GRBs, and on the physics of shock breakout. As I explain in this proposal, shock breakouts play an important role in this connection and therefore, I will develop a comprehensive theory of relativistic and Newtonian shock breakout. In addition, I will study the propagation of relativistic jets inside stars, including the effects of jet propagation and GRB engine on the emerging SN. This will be done by a set of interrelated projects that carefully combine analytic calculations and numerical simulations. Together, these projects will be the first to model a GRB and a SN that are simultaneously produced in a single star. This in turn will be used to gain new insights into long GRBs and CCSNe in general.
This research will also make a direct contribution to cosmic explosions research in general. Any observable cosmic explosion must go through a shock breakout and a considerable effort is invested these days in large field of view surveys in search for these breakouts. This program will provide a new theoretical base for the interpretation of the upcoming observations.
Max ERC Funding
1 468 180 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym HBAR-HFS
Project Hyperfine structure of antihydrogen
Researcher (PI) Eberhard Widmann
Host Institution (HI) OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE2, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary Antihydrogen is the simplest atom consisting entirely of antimatter. Since its counterpart hydrogen is one of the best studied atoms in physics, a comparison of antihydrogen and hydrogen offers one of the most sensitive tests of CPT symmetry. CPT, the successive application of charge conjugation, parity and time reversal transformation is a fundamental symmetry conserved in the standard model (SM) of particle physics as a consequence of a mathematical theorem. These conditions for this theorem to be fulfilled are not valid any more in extensions of the SM like string theory or quantum gravity. Furthermore, even a tiny violation of CPT symmetry at the time of the big bang could be a cause of the observed antimatter absence in the universe. Thus the observation of CPT violation might offer a first indication for the validity of string theory, and would have important cosmological consequences.
This project proposes to measure the ground state hyperfine (HFS) splitting of antihydrogen (HBAR), which is known in hydrogen with relative precision of 10^–12. The experimental method pursued within the ASACUSA collaboration at CERN-AD consists in the formation of an antihydrogen beam and a measurement using a spin-flip cavity and a sextupole magnet as spin analyser like it was done initially for hydrogen. A major milestone was achieved in 2010 when antihydrogen was first synthesized by ASACUSA. In the first phase of this proposal, an antihydrogen beam will be produced and the HBAR-HFS will be measured to a precision of around 10^–7 using a single microwave cavity. In a second phase, the Ramsey method of separated oscillatory fields will be used to increase the precision further. In parallel methods will be developed towards trapping and laser cooling the antihydrogen atoms. Letting the cooled antihydrogen escape in a field free region and perform microwave spectroscopy offers the ultimate precision achievable to measure the HBAR-HFS and one of the most sensitive tests of CPT.
Summary
Antihydrogen is the simplest atom consisting entirely of antimatter. Since its counterpart hydrogen is one of the best studied atoms in physics, a comparison of antihydrogen and hydrogen offers one of the most sensitive tests of CPT symmetry. CPT, the successive application of charge conjugation, parity and time reversal transformation is a fundamental symmetry conserved in the standard model (SM) of particle physics as a consequence of a mathematical theorem. These conditions for this theorem to be fulfilled are not valid any more in extensions of the SM like string theory or quantum gravity. Furthermore, even a tiny violation of CPT symmetry at the time of the big bang could be a cause of the observed antimatter absence in the universe. Thus the observation of CPT violation might offer a first indication for the validity of string theory, and would have important cosmological consequences.
This project proposes to measure the ground state hyperfine (HFS) splitting of antihydrogen (HBAR), which is known in hydrogen with relative precision of 10^–12. The experimental method pursued within the ASACUSA collaboration at CERN-AD consists in the formation of an antihydrogen beam and a measurement using a spin-flip cavity and a sextupole magnet as spin analyser like it was done initially for hydrogen. A major milestone was achieved in 2010 when antihydrogen was first synthesized by ASACUSA. In the first phase of this proposal, an antihydrogen beam will be produced and the HBAR-HFS will be measured to a precision of around 10^–7 using a single microwave cavity. In a second phase, the Ramsey method of separated oscillatory fields will be used to increase the precision further. In parallel methods will be developed towards trapping and laser cooling the antihydrogen atoms. Letting the cooled antihydrogen escape in a field free region and perform microwave spectroscopy offers the ultimate precision achievable to measure the HBAR-HFS and one of the most sensitive tests of CPT.
Max ERC Funding
2 599 900 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-03-01, End date: 2017-02-28
