Search for cosmic γ-ray bursts in the (1÷50) GeV energy range

Summary A search for cosmic gamma-ray bursts in the GeV energy range has been performed by means of the EAS-TOP Extensive Air Shower array at Campo Imperatore (Gran Sasso Laboratories) during the period March–December 1990. In 2566.5 hours of measurement the obtained upper limit to the rate of bursts of amplitude >2% of the cosmic-ray intensity and time duration τ=1 s, isR≤7.9y⁻¹ (90% c.l.). Assuming for γ-rays a differential energy spectrumS(E ₀ )≈E ₀ ^−2.5 , the corresponding upper limit to the energy flux of γ-rays with energy >5 GeV in bursts of duration τ≤1 s is Φ<8.3·10⁻⁵erg cm⁻².     

Study of aerosol particle transport by means of particulate-matter elemental composition

Summary Results of two measurement campaigns on particulate-matter concentration and composition aimed at studying dispersion and transport of aerosol particles in areas of different typology are reported. Local and regional aerosol transport affects particulate-matter concentration in a rural prealpine area, in particular the regional background is a main component of sulphur compounds. A long-range transport episodic event has been also detected. In the urban area of Milan, under good mixing conditions, the concentration of particulate matter has been found to be nearly constant up to 100 metres. The measurements of elemental-concentration values for a time series of particulate-matter samples collected simultaneously at different sites or altitudes proved to be an effective method for the investigation of transport phenomena. Paper presented at the IX Congresso del Gruppo Nazionale per la Fisica dell'Atmosfera e dell'Oceano, June 8–10, 1992, Rome.     

An application of neural nets to the Rome precipitation series (1782–1989)

Summary In a recent paper Elsner and Tsonis (1992) have demonstrated the feasibility of short-term prediction of climatic data by means of neural nets. In this paper, the same technique has been applied to the rather long (208 years) Rome precipitation series. At first, some examples of artificially generated time series, ranging from analytical functions to a mathematical model, have been used to test the capability of the method. Then the neural net has been applied to the annual and quarterly amounts of precipitation recorded in Rome. It resulted that this technique, particularly in the case of quarterly values, is capable of giving reasonable short-term predictions.     

Supernova 1987A, 30 Years Later

Most supernova theories state that this phenomenon lasts for a few seconds and ends with a big final explosion. However, these theories do not take into account several experimental results obtained with neutrino and gravitational wave detectors during the explosion of SN 1987A, the only supernova observed in a nearby galaxy in modern age. According to these experimental results the phenomenon is much more complex that envisaged by current theories, and has a duration of several hours. Since recent data of the X-ray NASA Satellite NuSTAR show a clear evidence of an asymmetric collapse, we have revisited the experimental data recorded by some underground and gravitational wave detectors running at the time of SN 1987A. New evidence is shown that confirms the previous results, namely that the data recorded by the gravitational wave detectors running in Rome and in Maryland are strongly correlated with the data of both the LSD (Mont Blanc) and the Kamiokande detectors, and that the correlation extends over a long period of time (one or two hours) centered at the Mont Blanc time. In addition, the signals of the GW detectors preceded the signals of the underground detectors by a time of order of one second. This result, obtained by comparing six independent files of data recorded by four different experiments located at intercontinental distances, indicates that also Kamiokande detected neutrinos at theMont Blanc time, but these interactions were not identified because not grouped in a burst. A similar correlation was also found in the data of the underground experiments in Mont Blanc and Baksan.     

On the triggering mechanism of the 11y solar-induced signal in surface air temperature

Summary The surface air temperature recorded at Vesuvian Observatory has evidenced a significant 11y cycle related to total ozone variation, which in turn has been coherently linked to sunspot activity. Such a correlation has not been found in the series of Naples (few km apart), where it is masked by the large long-period variations related to the growth of the urban heat island. A physical mechanism involving variations in sunspot activity, ozone layer and surface air temperature has been proposed. Paper presented at the IV Congresso del Gruppo Nazionale per la Fisica dell'Atmosfera e dell'Oceano, June 22–24, 1987, Rome.     

The Study of Primary Cosmic Ray Mass Composition Around the

The lg N_e-N_μ relationship has been studied from 4.4×10⁴ events (total observation time is 2.9×10⁶s)collected from Mt. Liang Wang Array (24.5°N, 102.9°E, 2720m above sea level). In order to study the mass composition at the knee, Monte-Carlo simulations for the EAS development and detection under same event selection criteria as used in the experimental data have been performed. The result shows that the mass composition of primary cosmic rays has no obvious change and the dominant component is light nuclei around the knee.     

Coincidences among the data recorded by the baksan, kamioka and mont blanc underground neutrino detectors, and by the Maryland and Rome gravitational-wave detectors during Supernova 1987 A

Summary The data recorded with the neutrino detectors at Mont Blanc, Kamioka, Baksan and with the gravitational-wave detectors in Maryland and Rome have been analysed searching for correlations associated with SN 1987 A, without presuming or excluding hypotheses for correlations due to neutrinos and gravitational waves. The statistical analysis has been based on a previous analysis that showed a correlation among Maryland, Rome and Mont Blanc with a probability to be accidental less than 10⁻⁵. Independent correlations are found during a period of one or two hours, around the Mont Blanc 5ν burst (2h 52 min 36 s UT), among the various sets of data: Mont Blanc-Baksan with a probability to be accidental of the order ofp∼4·10⁻³, Mont Blanc-Kamioka withp∼4·10⁻³, Maryland-Rome-Kamioka withp∼5·10⁻⁴, Maryland-Rome-Baksan withp∼5·10⁻². It is remarkable that the events from all the neutrino detectors follow the signals from the g.w. detectors by a time of the order of 1/2 or 1 s. At present we will not give a physical interpretation of the observed correlations which have strong statistical significance. Professor Edoardo Amaldi died on December 5, 1989.     

Study of variation in slab thickness of ionospheric F-region during earthquake by wavelet analysis

The present work deals with the anomalies in ionospheric slab thickness of F-region associated with strong seismic activity. In this regard we have considered ionosonde data of Critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) and Ionospheric Total Electron Content (ITEC) observed for Athens [38°N, 24°E] and Rome [42°N, 13°E] stations. We have considered three cases of earthquake occurring on December 20, 2007, June 08, 2008 and April 06, 2009 and analyzed the ionosonde data of foF2 and ITEC for slab thickness of F-region of the ionosphere in one-hour interval time series record by filtering the geomagnetic disturbances. The result of the study shows that some unusual perturbations were observed in slab thickness of F-region for some days before the main seismic event. It may be due to the generation of seismogenic electric field above the surface of the earth well before the seismic event. This anomalous behavior of perturbations may be used as earthquake precursor.     

Mesonic degrees of freedom in nuclei and the definition of meson-exchange currents

We describe the nucleus by a meson-nucleon system. Starting from a covariant field theoretical Hamiltonian we derive an effective Schrödinger equation for the nucleonic components. The meson-exchange currents are then defined unarbitrarily by an effective operator (current) in the space of the nucleonic components. The advantage over theS-matrix method [1] is discussed. In the nonrelativistic limit the meson-current as well as the seagull (pair) current agrees with theS-matrix result. Recoil and wavefunction orthogonalization cancels completely in this limit.     

Variations of neutrons and muons generated by cosmic rays in the atmosphere and in thunderstorm electric fields

We investigate the interrelation between cosmic rays (CRs) and the electric field of the Earth during thunderstorms established by various investigators. The data from simultaneous measurements by spectrograph of CRs and the electric field in Yakutsk are used. It is noted that in seven recorded events of prolonged (up to 9 hours) variations in the electric field by ±5 kV m⁻¹ and in one event of a one-hour increase in the field value up to +20 kV m⁻¹ the CR index rose substantially. During the thunderstorm of the latter event, the intensity of neutrons fell by a considerable 1%. At the same time, a drop of ∼0.3% was observed in the CR muon component. Such effects was not observed for higher energy muons.     

Nuclear axial polarizability and the α + α interaction

The 27π-exchange part of the α + α interaction is studied in terms of the response of the α -particle to a static pion field which is related to the static nuclear axial polarizability. We show that the experimental α + α phase shifts for l ? 4 and T_lab ? 50 MeV (that probe the asymptotic tail of the potential) cannot be fitted taking only into account the nucleonic responses of the individual nucleons in the α-particle. This result is interpreted as evidence for an appreciable contribution of the nuclear polarization of the α-particle in the scattering process, nearly twice as large as the nucleonic contribution. The magnitude of this effect, as extracted from the experimental data, is consistent with the theoretical expectations.     

Dynamics of relativistic SCRs and registration of multiple neutrons during the event of December 13, 2006

The dynamics of relativistic SCRs during the event of December 13, 2006, the characteristics of which were obtained from the neutron monitor data by solving the inverse problem, has been studied. A strongly collimated flux of relativistic protons, which caused an impulse-like increase at several European stations, was registered during the event initial phase. The delayed component had a softer spectrum and a large isotropic component. The Barentsburg neutron monitor registered a significant increase in neutrons with multiplicities of 2–4 during the event of December 13, 2006.     

Proton spectrum of the 2005 January 20 solar flare

An extreme solar cosmic ray event broke out on 2005 January 20.Not only is it the most intensive solar energetic particle (SEP) event,with＞100 MeV particles measured by GOES satellite since 1986,but it has been the largest ground level enhancement (GLE) event recorded by the ground-based neutron monitors since 1956.This work presents the solar proton spectra for this event with data obtained by GOES in multiple energy cbannels.These spectra are well fitted by a modified power-law function.The spectral index of around -1 indicates that the January 20 event has a hard energy spectrum.Possible mechanisms for the acceleration of relativistic protons are discussed.     

Non-equilibrium processes in heavy-ion collisions at relativistic energies

We use transport theory to describe the inclusive cross sections for protons and pions produced in collisions between two identical heavy ions at an energy of 800 MeV per particle. In addition to the nucleonic we take the Δ-degree of freedom into account. Thus we consider a two-component system whose distributions in transverse momentum and rapidity we describe by two coupled Fokker-Planck equations. These transport equations contain the one-nucleon knock-out process as initial condition. In the limit of large interaction times they lead to thermal equilibrium (fireball) distributions. For light nuclei the interaction time is not large enough for equilibrium to be reached. A recent experiment for two colliding carbon nuclei at 800 MeV per nucleon shows evidence of nonequilibrium effects. We compare our calculations with experimental data for ¹²C on ¹²C and Ne on NaF at 800 MeV/N.     

Proton spectrum of the 2005 January 20 solar flare

An extreme solar cosmic ray event broke out on 2005 January 20. Not only is it the most intensive solar energetic particle (SEP) event, with >100MeV particles measured by GOES satellite since 1986, but it has been the largest ground level enhancement (GLE) event recorded by the ground-based neutron monitors since 1956. This work presents the solar proton spectra for this event with data obtained by GOES in multiple energy channels. These spectra are well fitted by a modified power-law function. The spectral index of around －1 indicates that the January 20 event has a hard energy spectrum. Possible mechanisms for the acceleration of relativistic protons are discussed.     

Observation of the 2005 January 20 GLE Event Using Yangbajing Solar Neutron Telescope & Neutron Monitor

A solar cosmic rays Ground Level Enhancement(GLE) event associated with a X7.1/2b solar flare in 2005 January 20 was observed by the Yangbajing solar neutron telescope(SNT) and neutron monitor(NM), located at Yangbajing Tibet(90.53°E, 30.11°N, 4310m a.s.l) with the highest vertical geomagnetic cut-off rigidity of 14.1GV in NM network. The statistical significance of the counting rate enhancement recorded by solar neutron telescope in >40MeV channel was 3.7σ in the time window of 07:00—07:05UT and 6.0σ in the time window of 07:00—07:20UT, respectively. The onset time of 06:51—06:52UT for this GLE event was clearly observed by the Yangbajing NM. Our observation indicates that solar protons have been accelerated up to energies of >10GeV during this solar event.     

The pion-nucleon forward scattering amplitude

The pion-nucleon forward scattering amplitude has been calculated from new data of the total cross sections, using several assumptions on the energy dependence above 20 GeV. The results are presented as complex diagrams of the forward amplitude, which are of interest for the discussion of the nucleonic resonances and the non-resonant background scattering. In addition the predictions for the elastic forward cross sections are given as well as the contributions of the real parts to this quantity. A comparison with the new Saclay data of the charge exchange forward cross section leads to the estimate αρ≈0.6, if a Regge behaviour is assumed above 20 GeV. There are indications in favour of a new\(T = \tfrac{1}{2}\) resonance at the total c.m. energyW≈2.8 GeV.     

Kinematic correction to the cross-section of semi-inclusive π-meson electroproduction in the low-energy range

The Q ² -dependence of the cross-section of semi-inclusive π-meson electroproduction has been studied in the low-energy range covering the nucleonic resonances. It has been found that the Q ² -dependence of these data differs from the behavior of the factorized cross-section for high energies. The analysis of ratios of measured to model-calculated cross-sections renders a simple polynomial function for introducing the Q ² -correction into the cross-section. This additional correction provides much better agreement between the experimental and calculated data.