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The High Energy Astrophysics Group at the MPA deals with a broad
range of astrophysical problems with a particular focus on the interaction
of matter with radiation under extreme physical conditions.
The astrophysical objects of interest include the Universe as a
whole (Physical Cosmology), clusters of galaxies, supermassive black
holes and jets in AGN, accreting black holes and neutron stars in
galactic binaries and their observational signatures. Regarding
these objects the work of the group is mostly on theory of accretion
on to compact objects and boundary layers around accreting neutron
stars, gamma-ray bursts, as well as on nonthermal processes in astrophysical
plasmas, and the theory of comptonization.
People of our group are actively participating in the analysis
and interpretation of observational data from the currently operating
INTEGRAL, XMM-Newton, Chandra and RXTE spacecrafts and maintain
strong ties with experimental groups at MPE, IKI, CfA.
Institutes:
MPE,
Garching, Germany
IKI
(Space Research Institute), Moscow, Russia
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA,
U.S.
Missions:
INTEGRAL
XMM
CHANDRA
RXTE
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Subgroups:
 Interaction
of Matter and Radiation including CMB
 The
group concentrates on radiative transfer effects in the universe.
In particular it studies anisotropies in the Cosmic Microwave Background
(CMB) [link]. These anisotropies can be due to various effects,
e.g. first star formation, or large scale structure. Also radiative
feedback processes in AGN are investigated.
Accretion
physics for stellar mass and supermassive objects:
 The
group works on the physics of accretion onto various kinds of objects,
from newly born stars, to neutron stars and stellar mass black holes,
to the supermassive black holes that power AGN. These studies cover
a wide range of subjects, like the general properties of the accretion
flow itself, the evolution of the accreting object, feedback processes
between AGN and their environment.
Galactic Nuclei and Black Hole Mergers:
 The group works on the evolution
of galactic nuclei hosting massive black holes.
In particular, it focusses on the formation of black hole
binaries in galaxy merger remnants, their detectability,
and their effects on the host nuclei.
X-ray
binaries:
 The
group studies the properties of X-ray binaries. On the one hand
properties of single objects, like the X-ray flux/luminosity, X-ray
timing and spectral behaviour are investigated. On the other hand
global properties of a population of X-ray binaries with respect
to the host galaxy are studied.
Physics of galaxy clusters
Non-thermal
processes:
 The
group investigates non-thermal processes in the universe, in particular
in galaxy clusters and large scale structure.
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