Non-Thermal Astrophysics

Division Prof. Dr. Jim Hinton

Research in the division covers two main areas: 

• high-energy astrophysics exploring the sources and acceleration processes of high-energy particles in the Universe, and
• particle physics probing the Standard Model.

High energy astrophysics employs atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes or dense particle detector arrays to measure gamma rays emitted by high-energy particles in our Galaxy and beyond. The division has contributed major parts of the hardware of the H.E.S.S. Cherenkov telescopes and the HAWC high-energy extension, and plays a significant role in preparing the next generation Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA. Associated research groups cover theory and phenomenology of high energy astrophysics, theoretical astrophysics and infrared astrophysics.

Accelerator-based particle physics projects are primarily aimed at the study of heavy-quark production and decays, with emphasis on the phase space relevant to both particle physics and cosmic-ray physics.

The GERDA experiment at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory investigates neutrinoless double-beta decay of ⁷⁶Ge, probing mass and nature of neutrinos.

Associated research activities

• Max Planck Research Group Astrophysical Plasma Theory (Brian Reville)
• High-Energy Astrophysics Theory (Felix Aharonian)
• Infrared Astrophysics (Richard Tuffs)
• Director emeritus Werner Hofmann
• Director emeritus Heinrich J. Völk
• Relativistic Astrophysics (Heisenberg Fellow Frank Rieger, MPIK&ITA University of Heidelberg)