Probing Dark Matterand Fundamental Physics with VERITAS
PI: Dr. Wystan Benbow; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Abstract: The Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) began full-scale operations in 2007. It is located at the Whipple Observatory in Amado, AZ, and is the most-sensitive very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) γ-ray observatory in the World. VERITAS is operated by a collaboration of ~100 scientists ( from 20 institutions, and is used to perform VHE studies of a wide-variety of cosmic γ-ray emitters. About 160 such objects, nature’s most powerful particle accelerators, are currently known to emit these non-thermal photons. The results of the VERITAS studies of these cosmic Pevatrons often have broad implications beyond the physics of the objects themselves. Topics addressed include indirect dark matter searches, cosmology, black holes, and fundamental physics. Results from the VERITAS science programs include the detections of at least 55 cosmic sources of VHE γ-rays, including 22 discoveries, and the publication of 74refereed journal articles; another 55 manuscripts are in preparation. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contributed to the development of VERITAS, funded ~42% of construction cost, and contributes one-third of its total site-operations expenses. VERITAS continues to operate smoothly, and a 2012upgrade of the project enables the completion of studies in 2.5 times less time than in 2007. VERITAS has enough funds to operate through 2017 and the collaboration hopes to operate the experiment until mid-2019.
This proposal requests support for the research efforts of the long-standing VHE γ-ray astrophysics group at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO)during a 3-year period beginning in 2016. The DOE has supported this group’s research since 1982. The PI, Dr. Wystan Benbow, of this proposal is the VERITAS Project Scientist and directs the VERITAS Project Office; all expenses related to VERITAS site-operation activities are supported via separate grants. SAO scientists have made major contributions to one-third of the collaboration’s publications. The primary focuses of SAO research are indirect dark matter (DM) detection via studies of a variety of cosmic objects (particularly dwarf spheroidal galaxies, dSphs), and studies of fundamental physics, cosmology and black holes by leveraging VHE observations of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), in particular blazars. The dSphs are the most DM dominated objects in the universe, and comprise 70% of the VERITAS indirect DM detection program. The SAO group is responsible for the dSph effort, our DM program complements direct-detect experiments underground and the searches for new particle physics at the LHC. The AGN effort probes the environments around black holes and phenomena related to relativistic jets, and are useful for measuring fields and effects important for both cosmology (the EBL and the IGMF) and fundamental physics (Lorentz invariance violation, LIV).
The funding will support the salary, benefits and travel of a new post-doctoral researcher who will work full-time on VERITAS. The post-doc’s primary responsibility will the the reduction of the acquisition and reduction of the VERITAS dSph data (~15% of all VERITAS observations). It will include all data taken on dSphs; no data taken since 2013 are published. The ultimate product of this work will be VERITAS’ legacy results in the field of indirect DM detection. These will include our final limits on the DM annihilation cross section, decay lifetime and boost factors. The results will be an order of magnitude improved from those published in 2015. The post-doc will also maintain the VERITAS searches for flaring AGN, that will enable measurements and/or constraints of the EBL, IGMF and LIV. No salary support is sought for the PI, who will devote 100% of his efforts to VERITAS. The request will also cover attendance at one annual conference for the PI and funds for the purchase of computers, software and peripherals required to perform the group’s research, as well as for general materials required for these efforts. Continued support of the SAO VHE γ-ray astrophysics group has guaranteed scientific return and will take advantage of significant DOE investment in VERITAS.