Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics
| dc.contributor.advisor | Weltman, Amanda | |
| dc.contributor.advisor | Shock, Jonathan | |
| dc.contributor.author | Platts, Emma | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-09-15T15:07:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-09-15T15:07:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2021-09-15T02:30:15Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | This thesis focuses on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and presents computational techniques that can be used to understand these enigmatic events and the Universe around them. Chapter 1 provides a theoretical overview of FRBs; providing a foundation for the chapters that follow. Chapter 2 details current understandings by providing a review of FRB properties and progenitor theories. In Chapter 3, we implement non-parametric techniques to measure the elusive baryonic halo of the Milky Way. We show that even with a limited data set, FRBs and an appropriate set of statistical tools can provide reasonable constraints on the dispersion measure of the Milky Way halo. Further, we expect that a modest increase in data (from fewer than 100 FRB detections to over 1000) will significantly tighten constraints, demonstrating that the technique we present may offer a valuable complement to other analyses in the near future. In Chapter 4, we study the fine time-frequency structure of the most famous FRB: FRB 121102. Here, we use autocorrelation functions to maximise the structure of 11 pulses detected with the MeerKAT radio telescope. The study is motivated by the low time-resolution of MeerKAT data, which presents a challenge to more traditional techniques. The burst profiles that are unveiled offer unique insight into the local environment of the FRB, including a possible deviation from the expected cold plasma dispersion relationship. The pulse features and their possible physical mechanisms are critically discussed in a bid to uncover the nature and origin of these transients. | |
| dc.identifier.apacitation | Platts, E. (2021). <i>Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics</i>. (). ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.chicagocitation | Platts, Emma. <i>"Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics."</i> ., ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2021. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.citation | Platts, E. 2021. Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics. . ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.ris | TY - Doctoral Thesis AU - Platts, Emma AB - This thesis focuses on Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and presents computational techniques that can be used to understand these enigmatic events and the Universe around them. Chapter 1 provides a theoretical overview of FRBs; providing a foundation for the chapters that follow. Chapter 2 details current understandings by providing a review of FRB properties and progenitor theories. In Chapter 3, we implement non-parametric techniques to measure the elusive baryonic halo of the Milky Way. We show that even with a limited data set, FRBs and an appropriate set of statistical tools can provide reasonable constraints on the dispersion measure of the Milky Way halo. Further, we expect that a modest increase in data (from fewer than 100 FRB detections to over 1000) will significantly tighten constraints, demonstrating that the technique we present may offer a valuable complement to other analyses in the near future. In Chapter 4, we study the fine time-frequency structure of the most famous FRB: FRB 121102. Here, we use autocorrelation functions to maximise the structure of 11 pulses detected with the MeerKAT radio telescope. The study is motivated by the low time-resolution of MeerKAT data, which presents a challenge to more traditional techniques. The burst profiles that are unveiled offer unique insight into the local environment of the FRB, including a possible deviation from the expected cold plasma dispersion relationship. The pulse features and their possible physical mechanisms are critically discussed in a bid to uncover the nature and origin of these transients. DA - 2021_ DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Applied Mathematics LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2021 T1 - Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics TI - Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 ER - | en_ZA |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 | |
| dc.identifier.vancouvercitation | Platts E. Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics. []. ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 2021 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/33921 | en_ZA |
| dc.language.rfc3066 | eng | |
| dc.publisher.department | Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics | |
| dc.publisher.faculty | Faculty of Science | |
| dc.subject | Applied Mathematics | |
| dc.title | Computational analysis techniques using fast radio bursts to probe astrophysics | |
| dc.type | Doctoral Thesis | |
| dc.type.qualificationlevel | Doctoral | |
| dc.type.qualificationlevel | PhD |