Speaker
Prof.
Justin Vandenbroucke
(University of Wisconsin)
Description
The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a next-generation array of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes that will feature an order of magnitude improved sensitivity compared to the previous generation of instruments. Building on the success of H.E.S.S., MAGIC, and VERITAS in a complementary energy range to Fermi, CTA will investigate the particle physics of the cosmos through observations of gamma rays between tens of GeV and several hundred TeV. By observing the inner Galaxy, dwarf galaxies, and other targets rich in dark matter, CTA will detect signatures of WIMP annihilations in situ in the universe or provide strong constraints on their annihilation cross section for WIMP masses ranging from below 100 GeV to above 10 TeV, including a mass range inaccessible with other methods. CTA will also detect or constrain the nature of axion-like particles and test Lorentz invariance violation over a large energy range. Finally, CTA’s measurements of the energy spectrum and possible anisotropy of cosmic-ray electrons and positrons will provide important constraints on the excess positron signal that could be connected to dark matter .
Author
Prof.
Justin Vandenbroucke
(University of Wisconsin)
