Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array for probing cosmology and fundamental physics with gamma-ray propagation

H. Abdalla (Author), H. Abe (Author), F. Acero (Author), A. Acharyya (Author), R. Adam (Author), Christopher Eckner (Author), Samo Stanič (Author), Serguei Vorobiov (Author), Gabrijela Zaharijas (Author), Marko Zavrtanik (Author), Danilo Zavrtanik (Author), Miha Živec (Author)

Abstract

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the new-generation ground-based observatory for γ astronomy, provides unique capabilities to address significant open questions in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. We study some of the salient areas of γ cosmology that can be explored as part of the Key Science Projects of CTA, through simulated observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and of their relativistic jets. Observations of AGN with CTA will enable a measurement of γ absorption on the extragalactic background light with a statistical uncertainty below 15% up to a redshift z=2 and to constrain or detect γ halos up to intergalactic-magnetic-field strengths of at least 0.3 pG . Extragalactic observations with CTA also show promising potential to probe physics beyond the Standard Model. The best limits on Lorentz invariance violation from γ astronomy will be improved by a factor of at least two to three. CTA will also probe the parameter space in which axion-like particles could constitute a significant fraction, if not all, of dark matter. We conclude on the synergies between CTA and other upcoming facilities that will foster the growth of γ cosmology.

Keywords

Cherenkov Telescope Array;active galactic nuclei;gamma-ray experiments;axions;extragalactic magnetic fields;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2021
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UNG - University of Nova Gorica
UDC:	52
COBISS:	53539843
ISSN:	1475-7516
Views:	1597
Downloads:	68
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