Missions

Participation to the development of a new interstellar emission model for gamma-ray observations with the Fermi LAT space telescope (https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov)

Activités

At energies above 50 MeV, the gamma-ray sky is dominated by diffuse emission resulting from cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar gas and radiation fields in the Milky Way. Accurate modelling of this bright and highly structured background is crucial for studying other gamma-ray sources (https://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssc/data/access/lat/BackgroundModels.html). The current model requires significant enhancements to match the precision of the Fermi LAT sky maps. The successful candidate will participate to different aspects of the modelling:
- component separation using neural networks, or wavelet or scattering transforms
- testing correlations with different gas tracers
- testing the contribution of local bubbles
Opportunities to pursue scientific investigations using the improved model will also be available.

Compétences

PhD in astrophysics
Expertise on the interstellar medium and/or advanced signal processing
Ability to work in a team
Experience with gamma-ray data analyses is not mandatory.

Contexte de travail

The research will be carried out in the Astrophysics Department at CEA Paris-Saclay (located 25 km southwest of Paris). It will be conducted in collaboration with Saclay researchers (I. Grenier, J. M. Casandjian, J. Ballet, J. L. Starck, E. Bertin) and the international Fermi LAT Collaboration. The laboratory offers a lively and active research environment of the highest international standards in observational, theoretical, and applied astrophysics (https://irfu.cea.fr/dap/).

Contraintes et risques

None. Computer-based work.