High Time Resolution Astrophysics (eBook)

Preface 7
Contents 9
High Time Resolution Astrophysics and Pulsars 11
1 Introduction 11
2 NormalPulsars 13
3 AXPs and RRATs 19
4 Future Observing Campaigns 21
5 Conclusion 27
References 27
High Time Resolution Observations of Cataclysmic Variables 30
1 Introduction 30
2 Early Time-Resolved Observations of CVs 32
3 Flickering and Oscillations 32
4 Eclipse Mapping 34
5 Evolution: Mass Determinations 38
6 Asteroseismology 39
7 Conclusions 42
References 43
High-Speed Optical Observations of X- ray Binaries 45
1 Introduction 45
2 Early Fast CCD Observations 46
3 Optical/X-ray Bursts 47
4 Short-Term Variability in Quiescent XRTs 49
5 Correlated Optical X-ray Variability 50
6 ULTRACAM Observations of Quiescent X-ray Transients 51
7 Conclusions 59
References 59
Stellar Pulsation, Subdwarf B Stars and High Time Resolution Astrophysics 61
1 Introduction 61
2 Stellar Pulsation and High Time Resolution 62
3 Subdwarf B Stars 70
4 Mode Identification in V361 Hya Variables 72
5 Does Pulsation need HTRA? 80
References 80
High-Speed Optical Spectroscopy 83
1 Introduction 83
2 Scientific Motivation 84
3 CCD Spectroscopy 90
4 Conclusion 97
References 98
Appendix A Clock Induced Charge Statistics 100
Photonic Astronomy and Quantum Optics 102
1 What Is Observed in Astronomy? 102
2 What is Not Observed in Astronomy? 103
3 The Intensity Interferometer 106
4 Quantum Phenomena in Astronomy 109
5 Searching for Laser/Maser Effects 120
6 Modeling Astrophysical Photon Statistics 121
7 Photon Orbital Angular Momentum 122
8 Role of Large Optical Telescopes 123
9 Synergy with Large Radio Telescopes 125
10 Intensity Interferometry of Non-Photons 127
11 Modern Intensity Interferometry 128
12 Instrumentation for Extremely Large Telescopes 131
13 Conclusions 132
References 133
ULTRACAM: An Ultra-Fast, Triple-Beam CCD Camera for High- Speed Astrophysics 140
1 Introduction 140
2 Scientific Motivation 141
3 Design 143
4 Performance 155
5 Conclusions 157
References 157
OPTIMA: A High Time Resolution Optical Photo- Polarimeter 160
1 General Layout 160
2 Selected Measurements 169
3 Conclusions 175
References 175
From QuantEYE to AquEYE—Instrumentation for Astrophysics on its Shortest Timescales 177
1 Introduction 177
2 QuantEYE Basic Opto-Mechanical Design 179
3 An Imaging Version for QuantEYE 182
4 Data Storage and Analysis 184
5 A Small Prototype for QuantEYE 185
6 Conclusions 189
References 190
Fast Spectroscopy and Imaging with the FORS2 HIT Mode 192
1 General Description 192
2 HITModes 193
3 Characteristics of the HIT Sub-Modes 200
4 FO Aqr —a Worked Example 204
5 Future Upgrades 206
6 Conclusion 208
References 208
An Ultra-High-Speed Stokes Polarimeter for Astronomy 210
1 Introduction 210
2 Sources of Polarized Radiation at High Time Resolution 212
3 Requirements for an Ultra-High-Speed Stokes Polarimeter 217
4 Design of the Galway Astronomical Stokes Polarimeter ( GASP) 219
5 Detectors for GASP 225
6 Error Analysis & The Sensitivity of Gasp
7 Conclusions 231
References 231
Use of an Extremely Large Telescope for HTRA 234
1 Introduction 234
2 Optical HTRA Science 235
3 HTRA Requirements of the ELT 241
4 HTRA Detectors 248
5 Conclusion 255
References 256
EMCCD Technology in High Precision Photometry on Short Timescales 262
1 The lure of Photon-Counting Detectors 262
2 Electron Multiplying CCDs 263
3 Factors Affecting Photometry 270
4 Observing Blazars with EMCCDs 273
5 Final Comments 283
References 284
The Development of Avalanche Amplifying pnCCDs: A Status Report 285
1 Introduction 285
2 Technical Developments 287
3 Perspectives 292
References 293
Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiodes for High Time Resolution Astrophysics 294
1 Introduction 294
2 Science Case 295
3 Geiger-Mode and Active Quenching 296
4 Design and Fabrication of Shallow Junction Avalanche Photodiodes 300
5 Development of Photon Counting Arrays 305
6 Astronomical Performance 309
7 Conclusions 311
References 312
Transition Edge Cameras for Fast Optical Spectrophotometry 314
1 Transition Edge Sensor Technology in the IR-Opt-UV 314
2 Initial Astronomical Applications 317
3 TES Array Camera Technology 319
4 What Next? 326
References 327
Imaging Photon Counting Detectors for High Time Resolution Astronomy 329
1 Photon Counting Imaging Detectors 329
2 Cross Delay Line Detector 330
3 Cross Delay Line Detector Performance 332
4 High Time Resolution Observations with GALEX 336
5 High Time Resolution Visible Astronomy 339
6 Detector Development 341
References 344
Index 346