Date of Award
12-2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Legacy Department
Physics
Committee Chair/Advisor
Lesing, Mark
Committee Member
Hartmann , Dieter
Committee Member
King , Jeremy
Abstract
The 511 keV positron annhilation emission from the Galactic bulge has yet to solely be attributed to any astrophysical source of positrons. The 511 keV line, characteristic of electron-positron annihilation, was discovered in 1970 by Johnson and Haymes [1973] almost 40 years ago. Most recently the INTERnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysical Laboratory (INTEGRAL) [Knodlseder 1997] has measured the annihilation rates of both components of the Galaxy. The bulge and disk annihilation rates are (1.5 ± 0.1) x 10^43 e+ s^-1 and(0.3 ± 0.2) x 10^43 e+ s^-1, respectively. The ratio of the bulge rate to that of the disk ranges from 3-9. Many astrophysical galactic sources have been proposed to be the source of positrons.
Recommended Citation
Johns, Bethany, "The Origin of the 511 keV Positron Annihilation Emission Morphology" (2008). All Theses. 50.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/50