Code
Φ-534
Level
Graduate
Category
B
Teacher
V. Pavlidou
ECTS
5
Hours
4
Semester
Winter
Display
Yes
Offered
No
Teacher Webpage
Goal of the course
The class is an introduction to the study of high-energy astrophysical systems. It will emphasize the derivation from actual observational data of (open and answered) research questions that have been and are being actively pursued by researchers in the field. The students are expected to participate in the development, in class, of simple models that can explain such observations. Our tools in this quest will be the special and general theories of relativity, some basic knowledge of particle physics, and non-thermal emission mechanisms. The (re)familiarization with these tools will frequently alternate with astrophysical applications.
Program
Monday, 09:00-11:00, Room 4
Wednesday, 09:00-11:00, Room 4
Wednesday, 09:00-11:00, Room 4
Syllabus
- Active galactic nuclei and their jets: superliminal motions, emission spectrum and its production, beaming, Doppler boosting (~3 weeks)
- Gamma-ray bursts: cosmic distribution, collimated outflow, central engine, progenitors, fireball model (~ 1 week)
- Cosmic rays: cosmic high-energy physics laboratories. Spectrum, propagation, production (~ 2 weeks)
- Astrophysical neutrinos: sources and production during cosmic-ray propagation (~1 week)
- Neutron stars and black holes: Einstein equation solutions, pulsars, binary systems, accretion discs (~ 3 weeks)
- Gravitational waves: Weak-field Einstein equations. Production and propagation of gravitational waves. Transfer of energy: the binary pulsar PSR 1913+16 (1 week)
- Multimessenger high-energy astrophysics: detection of gamma-rays, cosmic rays, neutrinos, gravitational waves (~1.5 weeks)
Bibliography
1. “Introduction to High-Energy Astrophysics,” Rosswog & Brueggen
2. “A first course in general relativity,” Schutz
3. “Radiative Processes in Astrophysics,” Rybicki & Lightman
4. “Subatomic Physics,” Frauenfelder & Henley
5. "High Energy Radiation from Black Holes: Gamma Rays, Cosmic Rays, and Neutrinos", Dermer & Menon
6. "An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics", Cottingham & Greenwood
7. "Gravitation", Misner, Thorne, & Wheeler
2. “A first course in general relativity,” Schutz
3. “Radiative Processes in Astrophysics,” Rybicki & Lightman
4. “Subatomic Physics,” Frauenfelder & Henley
5. "High Energy Radiation from Black Holes: Gamma Rays, Cosmic Rays, and Neutrinos", Dermer & Menon
6. "An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics", Cottingham & Greenwood
7. "Gravitation", Misner, Thorne, & Wheeler
