Cosmic gamma-ray studies at Srinagar

Cosmic gamma ray studies being carried out at the Nuclear Research Laboratory at Srinagar and Gulmarg are described and some of the results of observation and possible conclusions are mentioned. These studies use ground base techniques which can detect short-time scale gamma ray bursts from supernovae and primordial black hole (PBH) and also high energy gamma rays from various point sources. A large area photomultiplier system is employed to detect pulses of visible fluorescence radiation which is caused by a gamma ray burst of supernovae of PBH origin. However, any signal out a large number of signals recorded at Gulmarg could not be identified as coinciding with any such event observed elsewhere. It shows that the size of the burst source cannot exceed 30 km., which is in agreement with neutron-star source models. An array using plastic scintillator detectors at the corner of a 10 metre square has been set up at Gulmarg to detect air-shower due to high energy gamma rays. Cerenkov light pulses recorded at Gulmarg have been projected on the sidereal map. A significant excess observed in the right ascension range 20 +- 3 h suggests the possible presence of a quasic-periodic source of gamma rays of energy greater than 1014 eV in the general direction of Cygnus X-3. Future programme of studies is mentioned. (K.M.)