Designing New Optics to Investigate Galactic Positron Generation
Prof. Dustin Swarm (University of Iowa)

The soft gamma-ray emission line at 511 keV is an important tracer for electron-positron annihilation. While astrophysical 511 keV emission was first detected in the 1960s, the origin of positron generation remains enigmatic due to the difficulty in imaging at these photon energies. X-ray telescopes focus light using grazing-incidence optics, mirrors that gently nudge photons to a distant focal point. However, technological and material constraints have capped the effectiveness of these optics at 80 keV, and photons in the 0.1—1 MeV energy range remain underexplored. In this talk I will describe methods for adapting grazing-incidence focusing optics for use in soft gamma rays. This could prove to be a technology pathway toward a high-sensitivity, high angular resolution imaging observatory for point sources of positron annihilation.

Please join us for the SED Director’s Seminar. Hosted by the Astroparticle Physics Laboratory, Code 661!

Please join us to share in a celebration seminar in honor of Dr. Demos Kazanas, following his retirement from NASA after 37 years of distinguished service.

The purpose of this event is to bring together colleagues, collaborators, and friends to recognize Demos’s long scientific career, his work across several areas of astrophysics, and his lasting presence in the Goddard scientific community. The program will include invited talks reflecting different aspects of his science, collaborations, mentorship, and legacy, along with time for shorter informal contributions from others who may wish to share a few words.