Publications
(2023) RAAD: LIGHT-1 CubeSat's payload for the detection of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes
A. Di Giovanni1,3, F. Arneodo2,3, A. Al Qasim4, H. Alblooshi5, F. AlKhouri2, L. Alkindi2,3, A. AlMannei4, N.H. Almarri12, M.L. Benabderrahmane2, G. Bruno2,3
DOI 10.1088/1748-0221/18/10/P10024
Abstract
The Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector (RAAD), onboard the LIGHT-1 3U CubeSat, detects photons between hard X-rays and soft gamma-rays, in order to identify and characterize Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs). Three detector configurations are tested, making use of Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum BromoChloride scintillating crystals coupled to photomultiplier tubes or Multi-Pixel Photon Counters, in order to identify the optimal combination for TGF detection. High timing resolution, a short trigger window, and the short decay time of its electronics allow RAAD to perform accurate measurements of prompt, transient events. Here, we describe the overview of the detection concept, the development of the front-end acquisition electronics, as well as the ground testing and simulation that the payload underwent prior to its launch on December 21st, 2021. We further present an analysis of the detector's in-orbit system behavior and some preliminary results.
(2023) The scientific payload of LIGHT-1: A 3U CubeSat mission for the detection of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes
Adriano Di Giovanni a c, Francesco Arneodo b c, Lolowa Alkindi b c, Panagiotis Oikonomou b c, Sebastian Kalos b c, Rodrigo Torres d, Giovanni Franchi e, Lorenzo Perillo e, Valerio Conicella f
DOI 10.1016/j.nima.2022.167992
Abstract
Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) represent the most intense and energetic natural emission of gamma rays from our planet. TGFs consist of sub-millisecond bursts of gamma rays (energy up to one hundred MeV) generated during powerful thunderstorms by lightnings (average ignition altitude of about 10 km). Such bursts of gamma-rays are in general companions of several other counterparts (electron beams, neutrons, radio waves). The TGF ideal observatory is a fast detector with spectral abilities operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Conceived to these specifications, the LIGHT-1 3U CubeSat mission was launched on December 21st, 2021 and deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 3rd, 2022 with the aim of targeting TGFs. In this paper the detailed structure of the payload, its main detection features, and the first flight data are presented.
(2023) Firmamento: a multi-messenger astronomy tool for citizen and professional scientists
Dhurba Tripathi, Paolo Giommi, Adriano Di Giovanni, Rawdha R. Almansoori, Nouf Al Hamly, Francesco Arneodo, Andrea V. Macciò, Goffredo Puccetti, Ulisses Barres de Almeida, Carlos Brandt, Simonetta Di Pippo, Michele Doro, David Israyelyan, Andrew M.T. Pollock, Narek Sahakyan
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2311.15102
Abstract
Firmamento (this https URL) is a new-concept web-based and mobile-friendly data analysis tool dedicated to multi-frequency/multi-messenger emitters, as exemplified by blazars. Although initially intended to support a citizen researcher project at New York University-Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), Firmamento has evolved to be a valuable tool for professional researchers due to its broad accessibility to classical and contemporary multi-frequency open data sets. From this perspective Firmamento facilitates the identification of new blazars and other multi-frequency emitters in the localisation uncertainty regions of sources detected by current and planned observatories such as Fermi-LAT, Swift , eROSITA, CTA, ASTRI Mini-Array, LHAASO, IceCube, KM3Net, SWGO, etc. The multi-epoch and multi-wavelength data that Firmamento retrieves from over 90 remote and local catalogues and databases can be used to characterise the spectral energy distribution and the variability properties of cosmic sources as well as to constrain physical models. Firmamento distinguishes itself from other online platforms due to its high specialization, the use of machine learning and other methodologies to characterise the data and for its commitment to inclusivity. From this particular perspective, its objective is to assist both researchers and citizens interested in science, strengthening a trend that is bound to gain momentum in the coming years as data retrieval facilities improve in power and machine learning/artificial intelligence tools become more widely available.
(2023) Optimizing a Broad Energy High Purity Germanium (BEGe) Detector Operated at Shallow Depth in Abu Dhabi
O. Fawwaz, H. Shams, F. Arneodo, A. Di Giovanni
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2310.12654
Abstract
In this work we present the characterization of a Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) type High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, with a carbon fiber entrance window thickness of 0.6 mm and an active area of 6305 mm2, operated at shallow depth (~ 8m) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. A 1.6 keV Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) was obtained for the 662 keV peak of 137Cs. A muon veto was applied, reducing the background by 8 % (for energies greater than 100 keV). Flushing the volume around the detector endcap with nitrogen gas, to remove radon and thus its progeny, further reduced the background by ~3 %. A thorough analysis for the shaping filter parameters showed that the detector has better resolution at low rise-time values (2 - 5 us) especially for low energy gamma (<600keV), keeping the flattop value fixed at 1.1 us.
First dark matter search with nuclear recoils from the XENONnT experiment
E Aprile et. al.
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.041003
Abstract
We report on the first search for nuclear recoils from dark matter in the form of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with the XENONnT experiment, which is based on a two-phase time projection chamber with a sensitive liquid xenon mass of 5.9 ton. During the ð1.09 0.03Þ ton yr exposure used for this search, the intrinsic 85Kr and 222Rn concentrations in the liquid target are reduced to unprecedentedly low levels, giving an electronic recoil background rate of ð15.8 1.3Þ events=ton yr keV in the region of interest. A blind analysis of nuclear recoil events with energies between 3.3 and 60.5 keV finds no significant excess. This leads to a minimum upper limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross section of 2.58 × 10−47 cm2 for a WIMP mass of 28 GeV=c2 at 90% confidence level. Limits for spindependent interactions are also provided. Both the limit and the sensitivity for the full range of WIMP masses analyzed here improve on previous results obtained with the XENON1T experiment for the same exposure.
Search for events in XENON1T associated with gravitational waves
E Aprile et al.
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.108.072015
Abstract
We perform a blind search for particle signals in the XENON1T dark matter detector that occur close in time to gravitational-wave signals in the LIGO and Virgo observatories. No particle signal is observed in the nuclear recoil and electronic recoil channels within±500 seconds of observations of the gravitational-wave signals GW170104, GW170729, GW170817, GW170818, and GW170823. We use this null result to constrain monoenergetic neutrinos and axion-like particles emitted in the closest coalescence GW170817, a binary neutron star merger. We set new upper limits on the fluence (time-integrated flux) of coincident neutrinos down to 17 keV at the 90% confidence level. Furthermore, we constrain the product of the coincident fluence and cross section of axion-like particles to be less than 10− 29 cm 2/cm 2 in the [5.5–210] keV energy range at the 90% confidence level.
(2022 ) Emission of single and few electrons in XENON1T and limits on light dark matter
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.106.022001
Abstract:
Delayed single- and few-electron emissions plague dual-phase time projection chambers, limiting their potential to search for light-mass dark matter. This paper examines the origins of these events in the XENON1T experiment. Characterization of the intensity of delayed electron backgrounds shows that the resulting emissions are correlated, in time and position, with high-energy events and can effectively be vetoed. In this work we extend previous S2-only analyses down to a single electron. From this analysis, after removing the correlated backgrounds, we observe rates <30 events=ðelectron × kg × dayÞ in the region of interest spanning 1 to 5 electrons. We derive 90% confidence upper limits for dark matter-electron scattering, first direct limits on the electric dipole, magnetic dipole, and anapole interactions, and bosonic dark matter models, where we exclude new parameter space for dark photons and solar dark photons.
(2022) Detecting Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes with CubeSats: the scientific payload of the LIGHT-1 mission
A Di Giovanni, F. Arneodo, L. Alkindi, M. L. Benabderrahmane, M. Mannino, P. Oikonomou, S. Kalos, R. Torres, G. Franchi, L. Perillo and V. Conicella.
DOI 10.1088/1742-6596/2398/1/012007
Abstract
Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) are a prompt, high energy, very intense natural emission of gamma rays from Earth's atmosphere. Consisting of an upward sub-millisecond bursts of gamma rays (energy up to one hundred MeV), TGFs are mostly generated in powerful thunderstorms by lightnings. Given their production mechanism, several TGF counterparts can be detected too (mostly radio waves, electron beams and neutrons from photo-production). To investigate the X- and gamma-ray components, the ideal experiment is a space-borne instrument, operating at Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and featuring a fast detector response, possibly with spectral abilities. The CubeSat space mission LIGHT-1, launched in December 21st, 2021 and deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 3rd, 2022, has been tailored around such physics requirements and it represents the technological demonstrator of possible larger missions to detect and localize TGF events. LIGHT-1 will help in making advancements in the TGF current knowledge: TGF occurring rates, average ignition altitude, production mechanism and effects on daily life on Earth are yet to be fully modeled and understood. In this paper the main characteristics of LIGHT-1 mission and the first preliminary flight data are reported.
(2022) Light-1 CubeSat Detector (RAAD) for the study of Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes: Space Qualification, First Data Set, and Correlations with Lightning
Lolowa Al Kindi, Francesco Arneodo, Adriano di Giovanni, Mallory S.E. Roberts, Panos Oikonomou, Ahlam Al Qasim, Aisha Al Mannaei, Noora Al Marri, Fatema Al Khouri, Firas Salah Jarrar, Panagiotis Pimitropoulos, Basel AlTawil, Laura Manenti, Gianmarco Bruno, Rodrigo Torres, Sebastian Kalos, Valerio Conicella, Thu Vue, and Heyam Al Blooshi.
IAC-22,B1,IP,5,x68877
Abstract
RAAD (Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector), the winner of the UAE Space Agency’s Mini-Sat Competition in 2018, is the payload of the Light-1 3U CubeSat. RAAD is composed of two detectors designed and optimized for studying Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes (TGFs) through the use of two different types of scintillating crystals (Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum BromoChloride) coupled to S13361-6050AE-04 Hamamatsu Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) and R11265-200 Hamamatsu Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs). Each detector consists of a 2 x 2 array of crystals and photosensors, each fitting into 1U of a CubeSat and less, providing an effective area of 40cm2 at 50keV, and 20cm2 at 511keV. RAAD’s unique combination of scintillating crystals and photosensors, along with the custom-designed readout electronics, overcomes the deadtime and timing precision limitations along with the low resolution at lower energies (<50keV) that are found in previous missions that had tried to detect TGFs. The custom-designed payload electronics provide the required spectroscopic and timing capabilities within the low power budget constraints (<4.5W on average) of the mission. We’re aiming at the 20keV – 3000keV energy range, few hundreds ns time response, and good energy resolution (around 5 percent @ 511keV). We present the performed space qualification tests, the payload mechanics, its calibrations, and pre-flight particle and signal simulations for the characterization of the expected response. We also present for the very first time the first set of data obtained from Light-1 CubeSat, correlated with lightning strikes from Blitzortung Lightning Network.
(2021) A Review of Requirements for Gamma Radiation Detection in Space Using CubeSats
Francesco Arneodo, Adriano Di Giovanni, and Prashanth Marpu.
DOI 10.3390/app11062659
Abstract
Initially intended as student-led projects at universities and research institutions, the CubeSats now represent a unique opportunity to access space quickly and in a cost-effective fashion. CubeSats are standard and miniaturized satellites consisting of multiple identical units with dimensions of about 10×10×10cm3 and very limited power consumption (usually less than a few W). To date, several hundreds of CubeSats have been already launched targeting scientific, educational, technological, and commercial needs. Compact and highly efficient particle detectors suitable for payloads of miniaturized space missions can be a game changer for astronomy and astroparticle physics. For example, the origin of catastrophic astronomical events can be pinpointed with unprecedented resolution by measuring the gamma-ray coincidence signals in CubeSats flying in formations, and possibly used as early warning system for multi messenger searches. In this paper, we will discuss and analyze the main features of a CubeSat mission targeting intense and short bursts of gamma-rays.
(2020) Space Qualifying RAAD CubeSat for the study of Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes and Other Short Timescale Phenomena
Lolowa Alkindi, Mallory Roberts, Adriano Di Giovanni, Ahlam Al Qasim, Aisha Sultan AlMannaei
IAC-20,B1,3,11,x58771
Abstract
Presenting the RAAD instrument (Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector), the payload of a 3U CubeSat. RAAD is composed of two detectors designed and optimized for studying Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes (TGFs) through the use of two different types of scintillating crystals (Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum BromoChloride) coupled to S13361-6050AE-04 Hamamatsu Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) and R11265-200 Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs). Each detector consists of a 2 x 2 array of crystals and photosensors, each fitting into $<$ 1U of a cubesat, and provides $\sim$ 20 cm $^2$ of effective area to photons $<$ 200 keV and $\sim$ 10 cm $^2$ at 600 keV. The detector’s unique combination of scintillating crystals and photosensors, along with a custom designed readout electronics, overcomes the deadtime and timing precision limitations as well as the low resolution at lower energies ($<$ 50 keV) typical of previous missions that had tried to detect TGFs. The custom designed payload electronics provides the required spectroscopic and timing capabilities within the low power budget constraints ($<$ 4 W in average) of the mission. We’re aiming at the 20 keV – 3000 keV energy range, few hundreds ns time response and good energy resolution ($\sim$ 5\% @ 511 keV). We present the performed space qualification tests, the payload mechanics, its calibrations and pre-flight particle and signal simulations for the characterization of the expected response. We also show how such detectors could be deployed in a network of CubeSats to study TGFs and for multi-messenger astronomy. RAAD is the chosen payload for a 3U Cubesat that won the Mini-satellite competition held by the UAE Space Agency in 2018, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2021 and deployed from the International Space Station.
(2020) RAADSat Mission Overview and Neural Network Applications for expected Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flash detections
Aisha Sultan AlMannaei, Ahlam Al Qasim, Mallory Roberts, Adriano Di Giovanni, Lolowa Alkindi.
IAC-20,B4,2,10,x60006
Abstract
The RAADSat mission (Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector) is designed to study fast high energy atmospheric phenomena such as Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs). TGFs are radiation bursts from thunderstorms generated by electrons accelerated to relativistic energies in electric fields that occur on sub-microsecond timescales. The science goals of this mission include understanding how and where lightning/TGFs occur, developing a payload that can study TGFs on microsecond timescales, probing the low energy spectral cutoff to measure atmospheric attenuation, and possibly searching for the positron-electron annihilation line.This talk will focus on how the mission, concept, spacecraft, orbit, data, telemetry and instrument will allow us accomplish our science goals. We will also include a Neural Network (NN) based analysis tool to characterize the TGF properties from the expected data. Since the emission height of the TGF is key to distinguish between various leading models to study this phenomenon, such as the Relativistic Runaway Electron Avalanche (RREA), the NN will demonstrate an ability to identify the height of the emission from a TGF spectra and light-curves detected by the mission. RAADSat is the winner of the Mini-satellite competition that was held by the UAE Space Agency in partnership with Khalifa University in 2018, and is expected to be fully developed and launched by early next year.
(2019) RAAD: A CubeSat-based soft gamma-ray detector for the study of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and other short timescale phenomena
Roberts, Mallory S. E., Arneodo, Francesco, Di Giovanni, Adriano, Al Qasim, Ahlam, Al Mannaei, Aisha, Almarri, Noora, Alkindi, Lolowa, Alkhouri, Fatema, Panicker, Philip, Ha, Sohmyung, Manenti, Laura, Bruno, Gianmarco, Torres, Rodrigo, Conicella, Valerio, Marpu, Prashanth, Vu, Thu, Al Blooshi, Heyam.
DOI 10.1117/12.2533447
Abstract
We present RAAD (Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector), a detector designed to study Terrestrial Gamma ray Flashes (TGFs) and other fast hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray phenomena. TGFs are bursts of radiation from thunderstorms which occur on sub-microsecond timescales. Most detectors used to study TGFs have been limited by deadtime and timing precision, and sometimes poor calibration at lower energies. We will present calibration and space qualification tests of a detector aimed at the 20 keV - 2500 keV range with ∼ 100 ns time response and good spectral resolution. This uses 2 X 2 arrays of two different scintillation crystals, Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum BromoChloride, both of which have very fast decay times. We couple them to both standard photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) along with custom electronics designed to provide very fast sampling with very low power consumption per channel. Each crystal array fits into < 1U of a cubesat, and provides ∼20 cm2of effective area to photons < 200 keV and ∼10 cm2 at 600 keV. The RAAD concept is the winner of the Mini-satellite competition held by the UAE Space Agency in 2018, largely developed with undergraduates at NYUAD, and is expected to be fully developed and launched by 2020. Two detectors, one with PMTs and one with SiPMs will be deployed on a 3U CubeSat, providing head to head performance tests for both crystal types and light sensor types. This will serve as a proof of concept showing how such detectors could be deployed in a network of CubeSats to study TGFs and other phenomena. © 2019 SPIE.
(2019) Characterisation of a CeBr3(LB) detector for space application
A. Di Giovanni1, L. Manenti1, F. AlKhouri1, L.R. AlKindi1, A. AlMannaei2, A. Al Qasim2, M.L. Benabderrahmane1, G. Bruno1, V. Conicella3, O. Fawwaz1, P. Marpu4, P. Panicker1, C. Pittori5,6, M.S. Roberts1, T. Vu4 and F. Arneodo1
DOI 10.1088/1748-0221/14/09/P09017
Abstract
We describe the performance of a 23 × 23 × 30 mm3 low background cerium bromide, CeBr3(LB), scintillator crystal coupled to a Hamamatsu R11265U-200 photomultiplier. This detector will be the building block for a gamma-ray detector array designed to be the payload for a CubeSat to be launched in 2020. The aim of the mission is to study flashes of gamma rays of terrestrial origin. The design of the detector has been tuned for the detection of gamma rays in the 20 keV–3 MeV energy range.
(2019) The RAAD mission for studying terrestrial gamma-ray flashes
Al Qasim, Ahlam. Roberts, Mallory. Al Mannaei, Aisha. Di Giovanni, Adriano. Arneodo, Francesco. Almarri, Noora. Alkindi, Lolowa. AlKhouri, Fatema. Ha, Sohmyung. Panicker, Philip. Manenti, Laura. Bruno, Gianmarco. Conicella, Valerio. Marpu, Prashanth. Vu, Thu. Al Blooshi, Heyam.
IAC-19_B4_2_6_x53280
Abstract
We present the RAAD (Rapid Acquisition Atmospheric Detector) 3U CubeSat, a mission designed to study Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs). TGFs are sudden bursts of gamma-ray radiation occurring on microsecond timescales, which are triggered by lightning or thunderstorms and channelled into outer space. Previous detectors used to study TGFs were limited by large dead-times, low time resolution, and poorly calibrated sensitivity at lower energies due to their not being pointed at Earth. The instrumentation proposed for this mission is an efficient gamma-ray detector in the 20 keV - 3000 keV range with small deadtime and high time resolution (both ~ 100 ns), good spectral resolution, and microsecond absolute timing for correlation with lightning data. The mission will have a total effective area at low energies of ~ 40 cm2. The immediate scientific goals are to explore the average atmospheric cut-off at low energies, search for a 511 keV electron-positron annihilation line, and search for microsecond structure in the lightcurves of the brightest bursts. It is also designed to make a direct, real world comparison of the performance of two fast crystal types (Cerium Bromide and Lanthanum Bromo Chloride) and two types of light readout sensors (standard photomultiplier tubes and Multi-Pixel Photon Counters) for future missions involving larger crystal arrays or multiple satellites. Here we will present the science specifications of the mission and its detectors, as well as simulated science products. The RAAD mission is the winner of the Mini-satellite competition held by the UAE Space Agency in 2018, and is expected to be fully developed and launched to the International Space Station for deployment by 2020.