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At least 523 records · Page 29

Thermonuclear supernovae: probing magnetic fields by positrons and late-time IR line profiles

We show the importance of γ and positron transport for the formation of late-time spectra in Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). The goal is to study the imprint of magnetic fields (B) on late-time IR line profiles, particularly the [Fe II] feature at 1.644 μm, which becomes prominent two to three months after the explosion. As a benchmark, we use the explosion of a Chandrasekhar mass (M {sub Ch}) white dwarf (WD) and, specifically, a delayed detonation model that can reproduce the light curves and spectra for a Branch-normal SN Ia. We assume WDs with initial magnetic surface fields between 1 and 10{sup 9} G. We discuss large-scale dipole and small-scale magnetic fields. We show that positron transport effects must be taken into account for the interpretation of emission features starting at about one to two years after maximum light, depending on the size of B. The [Fe II] line profile and its evolution with time can be understood in terms of the overall energy input by radioactive decay and the transition from a γ-ray to a positron-dominated regime. We find that the [Fe II] line at 1.644 μm can be used to analyze the overall chemical and density structure of the exploding WD up to day 200 without considering B. At later times, positron transport and magnetic field effects become important. After about day 300, the line profile allows one to probe the size of the B-field. The profile becomes sensitive to the morphology of B at about day 500. In the presence of a large-scale dipole field, a broad line is produced in M {sub Ch} mass explosions that may appear flat-topped or rounded depending on the inclination at which the SN is observed. Small or no directional dependence of the spectra is found for small-scale B. We note that narrow-line profiles require central {sup 56}Ni as shown in our previous studies. Persistent broad-line, flat-topped profiles require high-density burning, which is the signature of a WD close to M {sub Ch}. Good time coverage is required to separate the effects of optical depth, the size and morphology of B, and the aspect angle of the observer. The spectra require a resolution of about 500 km s{sup –1} and a signal-to-noise ratio of about 20%. Two other strong near-IR spectral features at about 1.5 and 1.8 μm are used to demonstrate the importance of line blending, which may invalidate a kinematic interpretation of emission lines. Flat-topped line profiles between 300 and 400 days have been observed and reported in the literature. They lend support for M {sub Ch} mass explosions in at least some cases and require magnetic fields equal to or in excess of 10{sup 6} G. We briefly discuss the effects of the size and morphology of B on light curves, as well as limitations. We argue that line profiles are a more direct measurement of B than light curves because they measure both the distribution of {sup 56}Ni and the redistribution of the energy input by positrons rather than the total energy input. Finally, we discuss possible mechanisms for the formation of high B-fields and the limitations of our analysis.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Formation of a Keplerian disk in the infalling envelope around L1527 IRS: transformation from infalling motions to Kepler motions

We report Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) cycle 0 observations of the C{sup 18}O (J = 2-1), SO (J{sub N} = 6{sub 5}-5{sub 4}), and the 1.3 mm dust continuum toward L1527 IRS, a class 0 solar-type protostar surrounded by an infalling and rotating envelope. C{sup 18}O emission shows strong redshifted absorption against the bright continuum emission associated with L1527 IRS, strongly suggesting infall motions in the C{sup 18}O envelope. The C{sup 18}O envelope also rotates with a velocity mostly proportional to r {sup –1}, where r is the radius, whereas the rotation profile at the innermost radius (∼54 AU) may be shallower than r {sup –1}, suggestive of formation of a Keplerian disk around the central protostar of ∼0.3 M {sub ☉} in dynamical mass. SO emission arising from the inner part of the C{sup 18}O envelope also shows rotation in the same direction as the C{sup 18}O envelope. The rotation is, however, rigid-body-like, which is very different from the differential rotation shown by C{sup 18}O. In order to explain the line profiles and the position-velocity (PV) diagrams of C{sup 18}O and SO observed, simple models composed of an infalling envelope surrounding a Keplerian disk of 54 AU in radius orbiting a star of 0.3 M {sub ☉} are examined. It is found that in order to reproduce characteristic features of the observed line profiles and PV diagrams, the infall velocity in the model has to be smaller than the free-fall velocity yielded by a star of 0.3 M {sub ☉}. Possible reasons for the reduced infall velocities are discussed.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SEEDS ADAPTIVE OPTICS IMAGING OF THE ASYMMETRIC TRANSITION DISK OPH IRS 48 IN SCATTERED LIGHT

We present the first resolved near-infrared imagery of the transition disk Oph IRS 48 (WLY 2-48), which was recently observed with ALMA to have a strongly asymmetric submillimeter flux distribution. H-band polarized intensity images show a ∼60 AU radius scattered light cavity with two pronounced arcs of emission, one from northeast to southeast and one smaller, fainter, and more distant arc in the northwest. K-band scattered light imagery reveals a similar morphology, but with a clear third arc along the southwestern rim of the disk cavity. This arc meets the northwestern arc at nearly a right angle, revealing the presence of a spiral arm or local surface brightness deficit in the disk, and explaining the east-west brightness asymmetry in the H-band data. We also present 0.8-5.4 μm IRTF SpeX spectra of this object, which allow us to constrain the spectral class to A0 ± 1 and measure a low mass accretion rate of 10{sup –8.5} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, both consistent with previous estimates. We investigate a variety of reddening laws in order to fit the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution of Oph IRS 48 and find a best fit consistent with a younger, higher luminosity star than previous estimates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

MID-IR SPECTRA OF TYPE Ia SN 2014J IN M82 SPANNING THE FIRST 4 MONTHS

We present a time series of 8-13 μm spectra and photometry for SN 2014J obtained 57, 81, 108, and 137 days after the explosion using CanariCam on the Gran Telescopio Canarias. This is the first mid-IR time series ever obtained for a Type Ia supernova (SN Ia). These observations can be understood within the framework of the delayed detonation model and the production of ∼0.6 M {sub ☉} of {sup 56}Ni, consistent with the observed brightness, the brightness decline relation, and the γ-ray fluxes. The [Co III] line at 11.888 μm is particularly useful for evaluating the time evolution of the photosphere and measuring the amount of {sup 56}Ni and thus the mass of the ejecta. Late-time line profiles of SN 2014J are rather symmetric and not shifted in the rest frame. We see argon emission, which provides a unique probe of mixing in the transition layer between incomplete burning and nuclear statistical equilibrium. We may see [Fe III] and [Ni IV] emission, both of which are observed to be substantially stronger than indicated by our models. If the latter identification is correct, then we are likely observing stable Ni, which might imply central mixing. In addition, electron capture, also required for stable Ni, requires densities larger than ∼1 × 10{sup 9} g cm{sup –3}, which are expected to be present only in white dwarfs close to the Chandrasekhar limit. This study demonstrates that mid-IR studies of SNe Ia are feasible from the ground and provide unique information, but it also indicates the need for better atomic data.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

HERSCHEL FAR-IR OBSERVATIONS OF THE GIANT H II REGION NGC 3603

We observed the giant H II region around the NGC 3603 YC with the five broad bands (70, 160, 250, 350, 500 μm) of the SPIRE and PACS instruments, on board the Herschel Space Observatory. Together with what is currently known of the stellar, atomic, molecular, and warm dust components, this additional and crucial information should allow us to better understand the details of the star-formation history in this region. The main objective of the investigation is to study, at high spatial resolution, the distribution and main physical characteristics of the cold dust. By reconstructing the temperature and density maps, we found, respectively, a mean value of 36 K and log{sub 10} N {sub H} = 22.0 ± 0.1 cm{sup –2}. We carried out a photometric analysis detecting 107 point-like sources, mostly confined to the north and south of the cluster. By comparing our data with spectral energy distribution models, we found that 35 sources are well represented by young stellar objects in early evolutionary phases, from Class 0 to Class I. The Herschel detections also provided far-IR counterparts for 4 H{sub 2}O masers and 11 objects previously known from mid-IR observations. The existence of so many embedded sources confirms the hypothesis of intense and ongoing star-formation activity in the region around NGC 3603 YC.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

SPITZER IRS SPECTRA OF DEBRIS DISKS IN THE SCORPIUS–CENTAURUS OB ASSOCIATION

We analyze spectra obtained with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) of 110 B-, A-, F-, and G-type stars with optically thin infrared excess in the Scorpius–Centaurus OB association. The ages of these stars range from 11 to 17 Myr. We fit the infrared excesses observed in these sources by Spitzer IRS and the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS) to simple dust models according to Mie theory. We find that nearly all of the objects in our study can be fit by one or two belts of dust. Dust around lower mass stars appears to be closer in than around higher mass stars, particularly for the warm dust component in the two-belt systems, suggesting a mass-dependent evolution of debris disks around young stars. For those objects with stellar companions, all dust distances are consistent with truncation of the debris disk by the binary companion. The gaps between several of the two-belt systems can place limits on the planets that might lie between the belts, potentially constraining the mass and locations of planets that may be forming around these stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Investigation of the physical properties of the tetragonal CeMAl 4 Si 2 (M = Rh, Ir, Pt) compounds

The synthesis, crystal structure and physical properties studied by means of x-ray diffraction, magnetic, thermal and transport measurements of CeMAl 4 Si 2 (M = Rh, Ir, Pt) are reported, along with the electronic structure calculations for LaMAl 4 Si 2 (M = Rh, Ir, Pt). These materials adopt a tetragonal crystal structure (space group P4/mmm) comprised of BaAl 4 blocks, separated by MAl 2 units, stacked along the c-axis. Both CeRhAl 4 Si 2 and CeIrAl 4 Si 2 order antiferromagnetically below T N1 = 14 and 16 K, respectively, and undergo a second antiferromagnetic transitition at lower temperature (T N2 = 9 and 14 K, respectively). CePtAl 4 Si 2 orders ferromagnetically below T C = 3 K with an ordered moment of μ sat = 0.8 μ B for a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the c-axis. Electronic structure calculations reveal quasi-2D character of the Fermi surface.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Phonon excitations in Eu 2 Ir 2 O 7 probed by inelastic x-ray scattering

The study of phonon dynamics and its interplay with magnetic ordering is crucial for understanding the unique quantum phases in the pyrochlore iridates. Here, through inelastic x-ray scattering on a single crystal sample of the pyrochlore iridate Eu 2 Ir 2 O 7 , we map out the phonon excitation spectra in Eu 2 Ir 2 O 7 and compare them with the theoretical phonon spectra calculated using the density functional theory. Further, possible phonon renormalization across the magnetic long-range order transition is observed in our experiments, which is consistent with the results of the previous Raman scattering experiments.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

A CONCENTRATION OF CENTIMETER-SIZED GRAINS IN THE OPHIUCHUS IRS 48 DUST TRAP

Azimuthally asymmetric dust distributions observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in transition disks have been interpreted as dust traps. We present Very Large Array Ka band (34 GHz or 0.9 cm) and ALMA Cycle 2 Band 9 (680 GHz or 0.45 mm) observations at a 0.″2 resolution of the Oph IRS 48 disk, which suggest that larger particles could be more azimuthally concentrated than smaller dust grains, assuming an axisymmetric temperature field or optically thin 680 GHz emission. Fitting an intensity model to both data demonstrates that the azimuthal extent of the millimeter emission is 2.3 ± 0.9 times as wide as the centimeter emission, marginally consistent with the particle trapping mechanism under the above assumptions. The 34 GHz continuum image also reveals evidence for ionized gas emission from the star. Both the morphology and the spectral index variations are consistent with an increase of large particles in the center of the trap, but uncertainties remain due to the continuum optical depth at 680 GHz. Particle trapping has been proposed in planet formation models to allow dust particles to grow beyond millimeter sizes in the outer regions of protoplanetary disks. The new observations in the Oph IRS 48 disk provide support for the dust trapping mechanism for centimeter-sized grains, although additional data are required for definitive confirmation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Persistent short-range spin fluctuation in rare-earth substituted square lattice Sr 2 ⁢Ir 0.89 ⁢Tb 0.11⁢ O 4

Sr 2 ⁢IrO 4 , a prototypical 𝐽 eff = 1/2 square lattice system, is widely studied for novel physics. While transition metal substitution effects are well explored, rare-earth doping at the Ir 4+ site is less explored. Here we present a detailed magnetization and neutron diffraction study on Sr 2 ⁢Ir 1−𝑥 ⁢Tb 𝑥 ⁢O 4 (𝑥 = 0.11). The system tends to adopt an in-plane antiferromagnetic configuration with a “++++” stacking sequence. Strong spin fluctuations persist down to the lowest measured temperature, consistent with the concave shape order parameter. A pronounced magnetic diffuse scattering rod develops along the 𝐿 direction at low temperature, indicating the formation of short-range magnetic correlations with a characteristic length of ∼ 24⁢(2) ⁢Å. In conclusion, this work provides a new pathway to exotic quantum phases in the strongly spin-orbit-coupled iridates.

Iridates↗

Towards cubic symmetry for Ir 4 + : Structure and magnetism of the antifluorite K 2 IrBr 6

Here, crystal structure, electronic state of Ir 4 + , and magnetic properties of the antifluorite compound K 2 IrBr 6 are studied using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction, resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS), thermodynamic and transport measurements, and ab initio calculations. The crystal symmetry is reduced from cubic at room temperature to tetragonal below 170 K and eventually to monoclinic below 122 K. These changes are tracked by the evolution of the noncubic crystal-field splitting Δ measured by RIXS. Nonmonotonic changes in Δ are ascribed to the competing effects of the tilt, rotation, and deformation of the IrBr 6 octahedra as well as tetragonal strain on the electronic levels of Ir 4 + . The Néel temperature of T N = 11.9 K exceeds that of the isostructural K 2 IrCl 6 , and the magnitude of frustration on the fcc spin lattice decreases. We argue that the replacement of Cl by Br weakens electronic correlations and enhances magnetic couplings.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structural and magnetic transitions in the planar antiferromagnet Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10

We report the structural and magnetic ground state properties of the monoclinic compound barium iridium oxide Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 using a combination of resonant x-ray scattering, magnetometry, and thermodynamic techniques. Magnetic susceptibility exhibits a pronounced antiferromagnetic transition at T N ≈ 25 K, a weaker anomaly at T S ≈ 142 K, and strong magnetic anisotropy at all temperatures. Resonant elastic x-ray scattering experiments reveal a second order structural phase transition at T S and a magnetic transition at T N . Both structural and magnetic superlattice peaks are observed at L = half integer values. The magnetization anomaly at T S implies the presence of magnetoelastic coupling, which conceivably facilitates the symmetry lowering. Mean field critical scattering is observed above T S . The magnetic structure of the antiferromagnetic ground state is discussed based on the measured magnetic superlattice peak intensity. Furthermore, our study not only presents essential information for understanding the intertwined structural and magnetic properties in Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 but also highlights the necessary ingredients for exploring novel ground states with octahedra trimers.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spinons and damped phonons in the spin- 1 2 quantum liquid Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 observed by Raman scattering

In spin-1/2 Mott insulators, nonmagnetic quantum liquid phases are often argued to arise when the system shows no magnetic ordering, but identifying positive signatures of these phases or related spinon quasiparticles can be elusive. Here, we use Raman scattering to provide three signatures for spinons in a possible spin-orbit quantum liquid material Ba 4 Ir 3 O 10 : (1) a broad hump, which we show can arise from Luttinger liquid spinons in Raman with parallel photon polarizations normal to one-dimensional chains; (2) strong phonon damping from phonon-spin coupling via the spin-orbit interaction; and (3) the absence of (1) and (2) in the magnetically ordered phase that is produced when 2% of Ba is substituted by Sr [(Ba 0.98 Sr 0.02 ) 4 Ir 3 O 10 ]. Furthermore, the phonon damping via itinerant spinons seen in this quantum liquid insulator suggests a mechanism for enhancing thermoelectricity in strongly correlated conductors, through a neutral quantum liquid that need not affect electronic transport.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structure symmetry determination and magnetic evolution in Sr 2 Ir 1–x Rh x O 4

We use single-crystal neutron diffraction to determine the crystal structure symmetry and to study the magnetic evolution in the rhodium doped iridates Sr 2 Ir 1–x Rh x O 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.16). Throughout this doping range, the crystal structure retains a tetragonal symmetry (space group I4 1 /a) with two distinct magnetic Ir sites in the unit cell forming staggered IrO 6 rotation. Upon Rh doping, the magnetic order is suppressed and the magnetic moment of Ir4+ is reduced from 0.21 μ B /Ir for x = 0 to 0.18 μ B /Ir for x = 0.12. As a result, the magnetic structure at x = 0.12 is different from that of the parent compound while the moments remain in the basal plane.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Physical properties of the Ce 2 M Al 7 Ge 4 heavy-fermion compounds ( M = Co , Ir , Ni , Pd )

Here, we report the synthesis, crystal structure, and characterization by means of single-crystal x-ray diffraction, neutron powder diffraction, and magnetic, thermal, and transport measurements of the new heavy-fermion compounds Ce 2 MAl 7 Ge 4 (M=Co,Ir,Ni,Pd). These compounds crystallize in a noncentrosymmetric tetragonal space group P$\bar{4}$2 1 m, consisting of layers of square nets of Ce atoms separated by Ge-Al and M-Al-Ge blocks. Ce 2 CoAl 7 Ge 4 ,Ce 2 IrAl 7 Ge 4 , and Ce 2 NiAl 7 Ge 4 order magnetically below TM=1.8, 1.6, and 0.8 K, respectively. There is no evidence of magnetic ordering in Ce 2 PdAl 7 Ge 4 down to 0.4 K. Furthermore, the small amount of entropy released in the magnetic state of Ce 2 MAl 7 Ge 4 (M = Co, Ir, Ni) and the reduced specific heat jump at T M suggest a strong Kondo interaction in these materials. Ce 2 PdAl 7 Ge 4 shows non-Fermi liquid behavior, possibly due to the presence of a nearby quantum critical point.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Giant spin gap and magnon localization in the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnet Sr 2 Ir 1 - x Ru x O 4

Here, we study the evolution of magnetic excitations in the disordered two-dimensional antiferromagnet Sr 2 Ir 1–x RuxO 4 . The maximum energy of the magnetic excitation remains robust up to x = 0.77, with a gap opening at low dopings and increasing to over 150 meV at x = 0.77. At these higher Ru concentrations, the dispersive magnetic excitations in Sr 2 IrO 4 are rendered essentially momentum independent. Up to a Ru concentration of x = 0.77, both experiments and first-principles calculations show the Ir J eff = 1/2 state remains intact. The magnetic gap arises from the local interaction anisotropy in the proximity of the Ru disorder. Under the coherent potential approximation, we reproduce the experimental magnetic excitations using the disordered Heisenberg antiferromagnetic model with suppressed next-nearest-neighbor ferromagnetic coupling.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Bulk electronic structure of non-centrosymmetric EuTGe 3 (T=Co, Ni, Rh, Ir) studied by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Non-centrosymmetric EuTGe 3 ( T = Co, Ni, Rh, and Ir) possesses magnetic Eu 2+ ions, and antiferromagnetic ordering appears at low temperatures. Transition-metal substitution leads to changes in the unit-cell volume and in the magnetic ordering. However, the magnetic ordering temperature does not scale with the volume change, and the Eu valence is expected to remain divalent. Here we study the bulk electronic structure of non-centrosymmetric Eu T Ge 3 ( T = Co, Ni, Rh, and Ir) by hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The Eu 3d core-level spectrum confirms the robust Eu 2+ valence state against the transition-metal substitution with a small contribution from Eu 3+ . The estimated Eu mean valence is around 2.1 in these compounds, as confirmed by multiplet calculations. In contrast, the Ge 2p spectrum shifts to higher binding energy upon cha nging the transition metal from 3d to 4d to 5d elements, hinting at a change in the Ge- T bonding strength. The valence bands of the different compounds are found to be well reproduced by ab initio band structure calculations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Solid-source metal-organic MBE for elemental Ir and Ru films

Thin films of elemental metals play a very important role in modern electronic nano-devices as conduction pathways, spacer layers, spin-current generators/detectors, and many other important functionalities. In this work, by exploiting the chemistry of solid metal-organic source precursors, we demonstrate the molecular beam epitaxy synthesis of elemental Ir and Ru metal thin films. The synthesis of these metals is enabled by thermodynamic and kinetic selection of the metal phase as the metal-organic precursor decomposes on the substrate surface. Film growth under different conditions was studied using a combination of in situ and ex situ structural and compositional characterization techniques. The critical role of substrate temperature, oxygen reactivity, and precursor flux in tuning film composition and quality is discussed in the context of precursor adsorption, decomposition, and crystal growth. Computed thermodynamics quantifies the driving force for metal or oxide formation as a function of synthesis conditions and changes in chemical potential. These results indicate that bulk thermodynamics are a plausible origin for the formation of Ir metal at low temperatures, while Ru metal formation is likely mediated by kinetics.

Materials Science↗