Introduction
The astrophysics group studies accretion-powered high energy sources such as neutron
stars and black holes as well as gamma-ray bursts. Our strength is the combination of
observational and theoretical research. We are actively involved in the analysis of the
data on accreting black holes, ultraluminous X-ray sources and accreting millisecond
pulsars obtained with the X-ray and gamma-ray observatories RXTE, XMM-Newton and
INTEGRAL. We also develop theoretical models for boundary layers around neutron stars and
super-Eddington accretion disks around black holes. We have pioneered theoretical
modelling of the light curves from rapidly rotating neutron stars and have developed
state-of-the-art computer code for modelling the radiative processes in relativistic
plasmas. A recent addition to our activities is the development of the novel particle
acceleration mechanism-"photon breeding"-operating is relativistic jets emanating from
active galactic nuclei. We also are involved in studies of the stellar and solar
activity.
Theoretical research is done on the physics of
interstellar masers.
Introduction to the high energy astrophysics can be found here in English or
here in Finnish.
Group meetings take place on Wednesdays, 14.00 in the
3rd floor coffee room.
The group leader is professor  Juri
Poutanen.
Postal address:
Department of Physical Sciences
P.O. Box 3000
90014 University of Oulu
Fax: +358-8-5531934
Webmaster
|
