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Theoretical and phenomenological study of the phys.. (studyphysgraybin)
Theoretical and phenomenological study of the physics of gamma-ray binaries
(studyphysgraybin)
Start date: Jul 1, 2010,
End date: Jun 30, 2012
PROJECT
FINISHED
Gamma-ray binaries are among the most luminous very high-energy sources of the Galaxy. They consist of a normal star and a compact object, and their radiation is strongly variable and often periodic. Gamma-ray binaries also generate radio emission of non-thermal and sometimes extended nature, and X-rays, predominantly of non-thermal nature. These objects are strongly connected with other classes of gamma-ray sources, such as supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts, and pulsar wind nebulae, which share many features with gamma-ray binaries, like jets, relativistic winds, particle acceleration, compact non-thermal emission, pair production and electromagnetic cascades, shocks with the environment, and extended radiation. There are many important open questions yet regarding all these phenomena in gamma-ray binaries. The power origin is not known in many sources; it may be a pulsar, accretion, or a rapidly spinning black hole. Also, the specific acceleration mechanism has not been identified in some gamma-ray binaries, and the processes producing (or processing) the non-thermal radiation are not properly understood. Finally, the properties of the outflows and jets of gamma-ray binaries, and the consequences of their interaction with the environment, have not been much explored. The proposed project has as a goal to shed light on and solve these questions. The proposal matches the program requirements for multidisciplinarity in the theoretical and in the phenomenological side, since several different topics are comprehended. The project has as well a strong contact with multiwavelength observations. The completeness of the project will allow the researcher to deepen and widen its knowledge and scientific skills, and to achieve a leading independent position in his field. The scientific profile of the host and the researcher experience give to the project a very high chance of success.