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At least 199 records · Page 11

A PROPELLER MODEL FOR THE SUB-LUMINOUS STATE OF THE TRANSITIONAL MILLISECOND PULSAR PSR J1023+0038

The discovery of millisecond pulsars switching between states powered either by the rotation of their magnetic field or by the accretion of matter has recently proved the tight link shared by millisecond radio pulsars and neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries. Transitional millisecond pulsars also show an enigmatic intermediate state in which the neutron star is surrounded by an accretion disk and emits coherent X-ray pulsations, but is sub-luminous in X-rays with respect to accreting neutron stars, and is brighter in gamma-rays than millisecond pulsars in the rotation-powered state. Here, we model the X-ray and gamma-ray emission observed from PSR J1023+0038 in such a state based on the assumptions that most of the disk in-flow is propelled away by the rapidly rotating neutron star magnetosphere, and that electrons can be accelerated to energies of a few GeV at the turbulent disk–magnetosphere boundary. We show that the synchrotron and self-synchrotron Compton emission coming from such a region, together with the hard disk emission typical of low states of accreting compact objects, is able to explain the radiation observed in the X-ray and gamma-ray bands. The average emission observed from PSR J1023+0038 is modeled by a disk in-flow with a rate of 1–3 × 10{sup −11} M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}, truncated at a radius ranging between 30 and 45 km, compatible with the hypothesis of a propelling magnetosphere. We compare the results we obtained with models that assume that a rotation-powered pulsar is turned on, showing how the spin-down power released in similar scenarios is hardly able to account for the magnitude of the observed emission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Three-body DD{pi} dynamics for the X(3872)

We investigate the role played by the three-body DD{pi} dynamics on the near-threshold resonance X(3872) charmonium state, which is assumed to be formed by nonperturbative DD{sup *} dynamics. It is demonstrated that, as compared to the naive static-pions approximation, the imaginary parts that originate from the inclusion of dynamical pions reduce substantially the width from the DD{pi} intermediate state. In particular, for a resonance peaked at 0.5 MeV below the D{sup 0}D{sup *0} threshold, this contribution to the width is reduced by about a factor of 2, and the effect of the pion dynamics on the width grows as long as the resonance is shifted towards the D{sup 0}D{sup 0{pi}0} threshold. Although the physical width of the X is dominated by inelastic channels, our finding should still be of importance for the X line shapes in the DD{pi} channel below DD{sup *} threshold. For example, in the scattering length approximation, the imaginary part of the scattering length includes effects of all the pion dynamics and does not only stem from the D{sup *} width. Meanwhile, we find that another important quantity for the X phenomenology, the residue at the X pole, is weakly sensitive to dynamical pions. In particular, we find that the binding energy dependence of this quantity from the full calculation is close to that found from a model with pointlike DD{sup *} interactions only, consistent with earlier claims. Coupled-channel effects (inclusion of the charged DD{sup *} channel) turn out to have a moderate impact on the results.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

X-ray spectral state evolution in IGR J17091–3624 and comparison of its heartbeat oscillation properties with those of GRS 1915+105

In this work, we study the X-ray timing and spectral evolution of the transient low-mass X-ray binary IGR J17091–3624 during the first 66 days of its 2011 outburst. We present results obtained from observations with two instruments, the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer Proportional Counter Array and SWIFT X-Ray Telescope, between 2011 February 9 and 2011 April 15. Using quasi-periodic oscillation classifications, power density spectrum characteristics, time-lag behavior, and energy spectral properties, we determine source states and their transitions at different times of the outburst. During the first part of the evolution, the source followed trends that are usually observed from transient black hole X-ray binaries (BHXBs). Interestingly, a gradual transition is observed in IGR J17091–3624 from the low-variability soft intermediate state, commonly seen in BHXBs, to a high-variability state with regular, repetitive, and structured pulsations, seen only from GRS 1915+105 (also known as 'ρ' class variability/'heartbeat' oscillations). We study the time evolution of the characteristic timescale, quality factor, and rms amplitude of heartbeat oscillations in IGR J17091–3624. We also present a detailed comparison of the timing and spectral properties of heartbeat oscillations and their evolution in IGR J17091–3624 and GRS 1915+105.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Experimental observation of crystalline particle flows in toroidal dust clouds

The dust flow in a toroidal dust trap is studied experimentally. The flow is driven by the Hall component of the ion drag force in a magnetized plasma. Dust density waves are found in a torus with a large minor radius a, which allows for several wavelength, 2a>5λ, in the (mostly) radial direction of the ion flow. Beyond an intermediate state with radial sloshing oscillations, a crystalline dust flow with suppressed wave activity could be realized for 2a<2λ. The particles arrange themselves in distinct layers with hexagonal-like local order. Smooth transitions between states with different numbers of layers are found in the inhomogeneous flow.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Magnetization reversal assisted by half antivortex states in nanostructured circular cobalt disks

The half antivortex, a fundamental topological structure which determines magnetization reversal of submicron magnetic devices with domain walls, has been suggested also to play a crucial role in spin torque induced vortex core reversal in circular disks. Here, we report on magnetization reversal in circular disks with nanoholes through consecutive metastable states with half antivortices. In-plane anisotropic magnetoresistance and broadband susceptibility measurements accompanied by micromagnetic simulations reveal that cobalt (Co) disks with two and three linearly arranged nanoholes directed at 45° and 135° with respect to the external magnetic field show reproducible step-like changes in the anisotropic magnetoresistance and magnetic permeability due to transitions between different intermediate states mediated by vortices and half antivortices confined to the dot nanoholes and edges, respectively. Our findings are relevant for the development of multi-hole based spintronic and magnetic memory devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Glass forming ability of the Mo-Pd system studied by thermodynamic modeling and ion beam mixing

Glass forming ability/range of the Mo-Pd binary metal system was studied by thermodynamic calculations employing Miedema's model and ion beam mixing of multiple metal layers. The thermodynamic calculations predict a narrow composition range of 8-26 at% Pd, within which metallic glass formation is energetically favored, whereas the experimental results showed that ion beam mixing was able to synthesize metallic glasses within a composition range 13-30 at% Pd, which was well in accordance with the prediction. Besides, in the Mo{sub 70}Pd{sub 30} multilayered films, with varying the irradiation dose, a dual-phase metallic glass was formed, and it could be considered as an intermediate state. The possible mechanism for the formation of the metallic glasses was also discussed in terms of the atomic collision theory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Two-Sublattice Non-Heisenberg Magnet with S = 1 and Complex Interion Anisotropy

Static and dynamic properties of a two-sublattice non-Heisenberg magnet with complex interion anisotropy of both bilinear and biquadratic exchange interactions are investigated. Existence conditions are found for phases with the dipole order parameter (AFM phases) and tensor parameters (OQU phases), as well as for intermediate states characterized by both vector and tensor parameters. Conditions for phase transitions and their types are determined.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A chimeric path to neuronal synchronization

Synchronization of neuronal activity is associated with neurological disorders such as epilepsy. This process of neuronal synchronization is not fully understood. To further our understanding, we have experimentally studied the progression of this synchronization from normal neuronal firing to full synchronization. We implemented nine FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons (a simplified Hodgkin-Huxley model) via discrete electronics. For different coupling parameters (synaptic strengths), the neurons in the ring were either unsynchronized or completely synchronized when locally coupled in a ring. When a single long-range connection (nonlocal coupling) was introduced, an intermediate state known as a chimera appeared. The results indicate that (1) epilepsy is likely not only a dynamical disease but also a topological disease, strongly tied to the connectivity of the underlying network of neurons, and (2) the synchronization process in epilepsy may not be an “all or none” phenomenon, but can pass through an intermediate stage (chimera)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Structure-electrochemical evolution of a Mn-rich P2 Na 2/3 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.8 O 2 Na-ion battery cathode

The structural evolution of electrode materials directly influences the performance of sodium-ion batteries. In this work, in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction is used to investigate the evolution of the crystal structure of a Mn-rich P2-phase Na 2/3 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.8 O 2 cathode. A single-phase reaction takes place for the majority of the discharge–charge cycle at ~C/10, with only a short, subtle hexagonal P2 to hexagonal P2 two-phase region early in the first charge. Thus, a higher fraction of Mn compared to previous studies is demonstrated to stabilize the P2 structure at high and low potentials, with neither “Z”/OP4 phases in the charged state nor significant quantities of the P'2 phase in the discharged state between 1.5 and 4.2 V. Notably, sodium ions inserted during discharge are located on both available crystallographic sites, albeit with a preference for the site sharing edges with the MO 6 octahedral unit. The composition Na ~0.70 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.8 O 2 prompts a reversible single-phase sodium redistribution between the two sites. Sodium ions vacate the site sharing faces (Naf), favoring the site sharing edges (Nae) to give a Nae/Naf site occupation of 4:1 in the discharged state. This site preference could be an intermediate state prior to the formation of the P'2 phase. Furthermore, this work shows how the Mn-rich Na 2/3 Fe 0.2 Mn 0.8 O 2 composition and its sodium-ion distribution can minimize phase transitions during battery function, especially in the discharged state.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The target asymmetry P_z in {gamma}p-->p{pi}^+{pi}^- with the CLAS spectrometer at Jefferson Laboratory

The study of baryon resonances provides a deeper understanding of the strong interaction because the dynamics and relevant degrees of freedom hidden within them are reflected by the properties of the excited states of baryons. Higher-lying excited states at and above 1.9 GeV/c{sup 2} are generally predicted to have strong couplings to the {pi}{pi}N final states via {pi}{Delta} or {rho}N intermediate states. Double-pion photoproduction is therefore important to find and investigate properties of highmass resonances. The CLAS g9a (FROST) experiment, as part of the N* spectroscopy program at Jefferson Laboratory (JLab), has accumulated photoproduction data using linearly- and circularly-polarized photons incident on a longitudinally-polarized butanol target in the photon energy range 0.3 to 2.4 GeV. In this contribution, the extraction of the target asymmetry for the reaction {gamma}p {yields} p{pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -} will be described and preliminary results will be presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Dark matter annihilation into four-body final states and implications for the AMS antiproton excess

Here we consider dark matter annihilation into a general set of final states of standard model particles, including two-body and four-body final states that result from the decay of intermediate states. For dark matter masses ~10 – 10 5 GeV, we use updated data from Planck and from high gamma-ray experiments such as Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and VERITAS to constrain the annihilation cross section for each final state. The Planck constraints are the most stringent over the entire mass range for annihilation into light leptons, and the Fermi-LAT constraints are the most stringent for four-body final states up to masses ~10 4 GeV. We consider these constraints in light of the recent AMS antiproton results, and show that for light mediators it is possible to explain the AMS data with dark matter, and remain consistent with Fermi-LAT Inner Galaxy measurements, for m χ ~ 60 – 100 GeV mass dark matter and mediator masses m φ /m χ ≲ 1.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Energy-relaxation pathways in finite-sized artificial square-ice structures

The energy-relaxation pathway in artificial spin ice structures refers to the series of individual moment reorientations the system undergoes as it relaxes from an initial state to a final low-energy state. The probability of the artificial spin ice structure reaching a ground state depends on the energy of the intermediate states as approximated by an Arrhenius-type relation. In this work, we report that by modifying the geometry of artificial square-ice structures, we can influence the probability of observing the ground state in different configurations. Furthermore, our findings are supported by dipolar energy calculations for various energy-relaxation pathways and the corresponding experimental data obtained by magnetic force microscopy.

Analog computation↗

Comparison of the field configurations of the magnetotails of Uranus and Neptune

The magnetic field configuration-states of the magnetotails of the planets Uranus and Neptune are compared. Earth's case is also briefly treated, as well as some related aspects of the other three magnetic planets. In Uranus' case, due to the large tilt (59 deg) of the planet's magnetic dipole with respect to its spin axis and the unusual obliquity of that axis, the angle of attack (alpha) of the solar wind with respect to dipole alignment goes through all possible angles, 0 deg to 180 deg, yielding a very broad spectrum of configuration-states of its tail. Cases are discussed where the planetary magnetic dipole is either aligned with the Sun-planet-line ('pole-on' state) or perpendicular to it and some intermediate states, for both Uranus and Neptune. Only Uranus experiences the pole-on state, which next occurs in November 1999 (+/- 2 months); last year (1993.2) it had the first 'perpendicular' state since Voyager encounter which resembles Earth's case. Neptune never has a pole-on configuration, but it gets as close as alpha = 14 deg from it; the next occurrence is early in 2003. At Voyager encounter Neptune's magnetotail apparently rapidly migrated through a broad spectrum of field structures with near extreme states resembling an Earth-like case on the one hand and a cylindrically symmetric one on the other. Magnetopause 'openness' should dramatically change in terms of the rapidly changing angle of attack throughout a planetary day for these two planets, and this has important implications for their magnetotails. Any future manetospheric mission plans for Uranus or Neptune should take in to consideration the allowed range of values for alpha for the epoch of interest; this is especially of concern for Uranus which has a pole-on state, and all possible alphas, around the middle of 2014, 20 years from now.

Lepping, R. P.↗

NICER Observations Reveal that the X-ray Transient MAXI J1348-630 is a Black Hole X-ray Binary

We studied the outburst evolution and timing properties of the recently discovered X-ray transient MAXI J1348−630 as observed with NICER. We produced the fundamental diagrams commonly used to trace the spectral evolution, and power density spectra to study the fast X-ray variability. The main outburst evolution of MAXI J1348−630 is similar to that commonly observed in blackhole transients. The source evolved from the hard state (HS), through hard- and soft-intermediate states, into the soft state in the outburst rise, and back to the HS in reverse during the outburst decay. At the end of the outburst, MAXI J1348−630 underwent two reflares with peak fluxes approximately one and two orders of magnitude fainter than the main outburst, respectively. During the reflares, the source remained in the HS only, without undergoing any state transitions, which is similar to the so-called ‘failed outbursts’. Different types of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) are observed at different phases of the outburst. Based on our spectral-timing results, we conclude that MAXI J1348−630 is a black hole candidate.

L Zhang↗

Neutrinos secretly converting to lighter particles to please both KATRIN and the cosmos

Within the framework of the Standard Model of particle physics and standard cosmology, observations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO) set stringent bounds on the sum of the masses of neutrinos. If these bounds are satisfied, the upcoming KATRIN experiment which is designed to probe neutrino mass down to ∼ 0.2 eV will observe only a null signal. We show that the bounds can be relaxed by introducing new interactions for the massive active neutrinos, making neutrino masses in the range observable by KATRIN compatible with cosmological bounds. Within this scenario, neutrinos convert to new stable light particles by resonant production of intermediate states around a temperature of T∼ keV in the early Universe, leading to a much less pronounced suppression of density fluctuations compared to the standard model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic devices

In one aspect, solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic devices are provided. A solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic device, in some embodiments, comprises an organic electron donor and an organic electron acceptor, wherein the organic electron donor comprises a singlet energy level separated from a triplet energy level by an energy gap. The device also comprises a triplet sensitizer comprising singlet and triplet energy levels falling within the singlet-triplet energy gap of the electron donor.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic devices

In one aspect, solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic devices are provided. A solid-state organic intermediate-band photovoltaic device, in some embodiments, comprises an organic electron donor and an organic electron acceptor, wherein the organic electron donor comprises a singlet energy level separated from a triplet energy level by an energy gap. The device also comprises a triplet sensitizer comprising singlet and triplet energy levels falling within the singlet-triplet energy gap of the electron donor.

Rand, Barry P.↗

Charmonium and D mesons in hadronic matter

We discuss two aspects of charmonium in medium. First, we present results of a recent study that compares the phenomenology of charmonium spectroscopy using smooth and sudden string breaking potentials. Next, we present results of a study that explores the possibility that J/{Psi} might be bound in a large nucleus through the excitation of a color singlet intermediate states of D and D* mesons with density masses.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗