ALBERT

Description: Context. Tracing unstable isotopes produced in supernova nucleosynthesis provides a direct diagnostic of supernova explosion physics. Theoretical models predict an extensive variety of scenarios, which can be constrained through observations of the abundant isotopes 56Ni and 44Ti. Direct evidence of the latter was previously found only in two core-collapse supernova events, and appears to be absent in thermonuclear supernovae. Aims. We aim to to constrain the supernova progenitor types of Cassiopeia A, SN 1987A, Vela Jr., G1.9+0.3, SN1572, and SN1604 through their 44Ti ejecta masses and explosion kinematics. Methods. We analyzed INTEGRAL/SPI observations of the candidate sources utilizing an empirically motivated high-precision background model. We analyzed the three dominant spectroscopically resolved de-excitation lines at 68, 78, and 1157 keV emitted in the decay chain of 44Ti→44Sc→44Ca. The fluxes allow the determination of the production yields of 44Ti. Remnant kinematics were obtained from the Doppler characteristics of the lines. Results. We find a significant signal for Cassiopeia A in all three lines with a combined significance of 5.4σ. The fluxes are (3.3 ± 0.9) × 10−5 ph cm−2 s−1, and (4.2 ± 1.0) × 10−5 ph cm−2 s−1 for the 44Ti and 44Sc decay, respectively. This corresponds to a mass of (2.4 ± 0.7) × 10−4 M⊙ and (3.1 ± 0.8) × 10−4 M⊙, respectively. We obtain higher fluxes for 44Ti with our analysis of Cassiopeia A than were obtained in previous analyses. We discuss potential differences. We interpret the line width from Doppler broadening as expansion velocity of (6400 ± 1900) km s−1. We do not find any significant signal for any other candidate sources. Conclusions. We obtain a high 44Ti ejecta mass for Cassiopeia A that is in disagreement with ejecta yields from symmetric 2D models. Upper limits for the other core-collapse supernovae are in agreement with model predictions and previous studies. The upper limits we find for the three thermonuclear supernovae (G1.9+0.3, SN1572 and SN1604) consistently exclude the double detonation and pure helium deflagration models as progenitors.

Description: Context. The space based γ-ray observatory INTEGRAL of the European Space Agency (ESA) includes the spectrometer instrument “SPI”. This is a coded mask telescope featuring a 19-element Germanium detector array for high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy, encapsulated in a scintillation detector assembly that provides a veto for background from charged particles. In space, cosmic rays irradiate spacecraft and instruments, which, in spite of the vetoing detectors, results in a large instrumental background from activation of those materials, and leads to deterioration of the charge collection properties of the Ge detectors.Aim. We aim to determine the measurement characteristics of our detectors and their evolution with time, that is, their spectral response and instrumental background. These incur systematic variations in the SPI signal from celestial photons, hence their determination from a broad empirical database enables a reduction of underlying systematics in data analysis. For this, we explore compromises balancing temporal and spectral resolution within statistical limitations. Our goal is to enable modelling of background applicable to spectroscopic studies of the sky, accounting separately for changes of the spectral response and of instrumental background.Methods. We use 13.5 years of INTEGRAL/SPI data, which consist of spectra for each detector and for each pointing of the satellite. Spectral fits to each such spectrum, with independent but coherent treatment of continuum and line backgrounds, provides us with details about separated background components. From the strongest background lines, we first determine how the spectral response changes with time. Applying symmetry and long-term stability tests, we eliminate degeneracies and reduce statistical fluctuations of background parameters, with the aim of providing a self-consistent description of the spectral response for each individual detector. Accounting for this, we then determine how the instrumental background components change in intensities and other characteristics, most-importantly their relative distribution among detectors.Results. Spectral resolution of Ge detectors in space degrades with time, up to 15% within half a year, consistently for all detectors, and across the SPI energy range. Semi-annual annealing operations recover these losses, yet there is a small long-term degradation. The intensity of instrumental background varies anti-correlated to solar activity, in general. There are significant differences among different lines and with respect to continuum. Background lines are found to have a characteristic, well-defined and long-term consistent intensity ratio among detectors. We use this to categorise lines in groups of similar behaviour. The dataset of spectral-response and background parameters as fitted across the INTEGRAL mission allows studies of SPI spectral response and background behaviour in a broad perspective, and efficiently supports precision modelling of instrumental background.

Description: Context. The annihilation of cosmic positrons with electrons in the interstellar medium results in the strongest persistent γ-ray line signal in the sky. For the past 50 yr, this 511 keV emission – predominantly from the galactic bulge region and from a low surface-brightness disk – has puzzled observers and theoreticians. A key issue for understanding positron astrophysics is found in cosmic-ray propagation, especially at low kinetic energies (≲10 MeV). Aims. We want to shed light on how positrons propagate and the resulting morphology of the annihilation emission. We approach this “positron puzzle” by inferring kinematic information of the 511 keV line in the inner radian of the Galaxy. This constrains propagation scenarios and positron source populations in the Milky Way. Methods. By dissecting the positron annihilation emission as measured with INTEGRAL/SPI, we derived spectra for individual and independent regions in the sky. The centroid energies of these spectra around the 511 keV line are converted into Doppler shifts, representing the line-of-sight velocity along different galactic longitudes. This results in a longitude-velocity diagram of positron annihilation. From high-resolution spectra, we also determined Doppler-broadening from γ-ray line shape parameters to study annihilation conditions as they vary with galactic longitude. Results. We found line-of-sight velocities in the 511 keV line that are consistent with zero, as well as with galactic rotation from CO measurements (2–3 km s−1 deg−1), and measurements of radioactive 26Al (7.5–9.5 km s−1 deg−1). The velocity gradient in the inner ±30° is determined to be 4 ± 6 km s−1 deg−1. The width of the 511 keV line is constant as a function of longitude at 2.43 ± 0.14 keV, with possibly different values towards the disk. The positronium fraction is found to be 1.0 along the galactic plane. Conclusions. The weak signals in the disk leave the question open of whether positron annihilation is associated with the high velocities seen in 26Al or rather with ordinarily rotating components of the Milky Way’s interstellar medium. We confirm previous results that positrons are slowed down to the 10 eV energy scale before annihilation and constrain bulk Doppler-broadening contributions to ≲1.25 keV in the inner radian. Consequently, the true annihilation conditions remain unclear.

Description: Context. INTEGRAL observed Nova Sgr 2015 No. 2 (V5668 Sgr) around the time of its optical emission maximum on 21 March 2015. Studies at UV wavelengths showed spectral lines of freshly produced 7Be. This could also be measurable in gamma rays at 478 keV from the decay to 7Li. Novae are also expected to synthesise 22Na which decays to 22Ne, emitting a 1275 keV photon. About one week before the optical maximum, a strong gamma-ray flash on timescales of hours is expected from short-lived radioactive nuclei such as 13N and 18F. These nuclei are β+-unstable, and should yield emission of up to 511 keV, but this emission has never been observed from any nova. Aims. The SPectrometer on INTEGRAL (SPI) pointed towards V5668 Sgr by chance. We use these observations to search for possible gamma-ray emission of decaying 7Be, and to directly measure the synthesised mass during explosive burning. We also aim to constrain possible burst-like emission days to weeks before the optical maximum using the SPI anticoincidence shield (ACS), i.e. at times when SPI was not pointing to the source. Methods. We extracted spectral and temporal information to determine the fluxes of gamma-ray lines at 478 keV, 511 keV, and 1275 keV. Using distance and radioactive decay, a measured flux converts into the 7Be amount produced in the nova. The SPI-ACS rates are analysed for burst-like emission using a nova model light curve. For the obtained nova flash candidate events, we discuss possible origins using directional, spectral, and temporal information. Results. No significant excess for the 478 keV, the 511 keV, or the 1275 keV lines is found. Our upper limits (3σ) on the synthesised 7Be and 22Na mass depend on the uncertainties of the distance to V5668 Sgr: the 7Be mass is constrained to less than 4.8 × 10−9 (dkpc−1)2 M⊙, and the 22Na mass to less than 2.4 × 10−8 (dkpc−1)2 M⊙. For the 7Be mass estimate from UV studies, the distance to V5668 Sgr must be greater than 1.2 kpc (3σ). During the three weeks before the optical maximum, we find 23 burst-like events in the ACS rate, of which 6 could possibly be associated with V5668.

Description: Context. The coded-mask spectrometer-telescope SPI on board the INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL) records photons in the energy range between 20 and 8000 keV. A robust and versatile method for modelling the dominating instrumental background radiation is difficult to establish for such a telescope in the rapidly changing space environment. Aims. In a previous paper we presented our spectral parameter database, developed from long-term monitoring of the SPI germanium detectors, that characterises the instrument response and background behaviour. Our aim is to build a self-consistent and broadly applicable background model for typical science cases of INTEGRAL/SPI based on this database. Methods. The general analysis method for SPI relies on distinguishing between illumination patterns on the 19-element germanium detector array from background and sky in a maximum-likelihood framework. We illustrate how the complete set of measurements, even including the exposures of the sources of interest, can be used to define a background model. The observation strategy of INTEGRAL makes it possible to determine individual background components, originating from continuum and γ-ray line emission. We apply our method to different science cases, including point-like, diffuse, continuum, and line emission, and evaluate the adequacy in each case. Results. From likelihood values and the number of fitted parameters, we determine how strong the impact of the unknown background variability is. We find that the number of fitted parameters, i.e. how often the background has to be re-normalised, depends on the emission type (diffuse with many observations over a large sky region, or point-like with concentrated exposure around one source), the spectral energy range, and bandwidth. A unique timescale, valid for all analysis issues, is not applicable for INTEGRAL/SPI, but must and can be inferred from the chosen data set. Conclusions. We conclude that our background modelling method can be used in a wide variety of INTEGRAL/SPI science cases, and provides nearly systematics-free and robust results.