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At least 577 records · Page 32

Reflection and Timing Study of the Transient Black Hole X-Ray Binary MAXI J1803-298 with NuSTAR

The transient black hole X-ray binary MAXI J1803−298 was discovered on 2021 May 1, as it went into outburst from a quiescent state. As the source rose in flux it showed periodic absorption dips and fit the timing and spectral characteristics of a hard-state accreting black hole. We report on the results of a Target-of-Opportunity observation with NuSTAR obtained near the peak outburst flux beginning on 2021 May 13, after the source had transitioned into an intermediate state. MAXI J1803−298 is variable across the observation, which we investigate by extracting spectral and timing products separately for different levels of flux throughout the observation. Our timing analysis reveals two distinct potential quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) which are not harmonically related at 5.4 ± 0.2 Hz and 9.4 ± 0.3 Hz, present only during periods of lower flux. With clear relativistic reflection signatures detected in the source spectrum, we applied several different reflection models to the spectra of MAXI J1803−298. Here we report our results, utilizing high-density reflection models to constrain the disk geometry, and assess changes in the spectrum dependent on the source flux. With a standard broken power-law emissivity, we find a near-maximal spin for the black hole, and we are able to constrain the inclination of the accretion disk at 75° ± 2°, which is expected for a source that has shown periodic absorption dips. We also significantly detect a narrow absorption feature at 6.91 ± 0.06 keV with an equivalent width between 4 and 9 eV, which we interpret as the signature of a disk wind.

Benjamin M. Coughenour↗

Light and Strange Vector Resonances from Lattice QCD at Physical Quark Masses

We present the first ab initio calculation at physical quark masses of scattering amplitudes describing the lightest pseudoscalar mesons interacting via the strong force in the vector channel. Using lattice quantum chromodynamics, we postdict the defining parameters for two short-lived resonances, the ρ(770) and K*(892) which manifest as complex energy poles in ππ and Kπ scattering amplitudes, respectively. The calculation proceeds by first computing the finite-volume energy spectrum of the two-hadron systems and then determining the amplitudes from the energies using the Lüscher formalism. The error budget includes a data-driven systematic error, obtained by scanning possible fit ranges and fit models to extract the spectrum from Euclidean correlators, as well as the scattering amplitudes from the latter. The final results, obtained by analytically continuing multiple parametrizations into the complex energy plane, are M ρ = 796(5)(50)MeV, Γ ρ = 192(10)(31) MeV, M K* = 893(2)(54) MeV, and Γ K = 51(2)(11) MeV, where the subscript indicates the resonance and M and Γ stand for the mass and width, respectively, and where the first bracket indicates the statistical and the second bracket the systematic uncertainty.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A possible line feature at 73 keV from the Crab Nebula

Evidence is reported for a possible line feature at 73 keV from the Crab Nebula. The experiment was conducted with a balloon-borne high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer on June 10, 1974, over Palestine, Texas. The intensity and the width of the line derived from the fitting of these data are approximately 0.0038 photon per (sq cm-sec) and less than 4.9 keV FWHM, respectively. The line is superposed on a power-law continuum of 11.2 E to the -2.16 photons per (sq cm-keV) in the energy range from 53 to 300 keV, which is consistent with other measurements of the Crab Nebula spectrum.

Ling, J. C.↗

Synchrotron cooling and annihilation of an E(+)-E(-) plasma: The radiation mechanism for the March 5, 1979 transient

Positron-electron pair radiation is examined as a mechanism that could be responsible for the impulsive phase emission of the March 5, 1979 transient. Synchrotron cooling and subsequent annihilation of the pairs can account for the energy spectrum, the very high brightness, and the approximately 0.4 MeV feature observed from this transient, whose source is likely to be a neutron star in the supernova remnant N49 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. In this model, the observed radiation is produced in the skin layer of a hot, radiation dominated pair atmosphere, probably confined to the vicinity of the neutron star by a strong magnetic field. The width of this layer is only about 0.1 mm. In this layer, approximately 10 to the 12th power generations of pairs are formed (by photon-photon collisions), cooled and annihilated during the approximately 0.15 sec duration of the impulsive phase. The very large burst energy implied by the distance of the Large Magellanic Cloud, and its very rapid release, are unsolved problems. Nonetheless, the possibility of neutron star vibrations, which could transport the energy coherently to the surface, heat the atmosphere mechanically to a hot, pair-producing temperature, and have a characteristic damping time roughly equal to the duration of the impulsive phase are addressed.

Ramaty, R.↗

Lick slit spectra of thirty-eight objective prism quasar candidates and low metallicity halo stars

Lick Observatory slit spectra of 38 objects which were claimed to have pronounced UV excess and emission lines are presented. Eleven QSOs, four galaxies at z of about 0.1, 22 stars, and one unidentified object with a low S/N spectrum were found. Of 11 objects which Zhan and Chen (1987, 1989) suggested were QSO with z(prism) not greater than 2.8; eight are QSOs. Six of the QSOs show absorption systems, including Q0000+027A with a relatively strong associated C IV absorption system, and Q0008+008 with a damped Ly-alpha system with an H I column density of 10 exp 21/sq cm. The equivalent widths of the Ca II K line, the G band, and the Balmer lines in 10 stars with the best spectra are measured, and metallicities are derived. Seven of them are in the range -2.5 to -1.7, while the others are less metal-poor.

Tytler, David↗

Toward a theory of interstellar turbulence. 1: Weak Alfvenic turbulence

We study weak Alfvenic turbulence of an incompressible, magnetized fluid in some detail, with a view to developing a firm theoretical basis for the dynamics of small-scale turbulence in the interstellar medium. We prove that resonant 3-wave interactions are absent. We also show that the Iroshnikov-Kraichnan theory of incompressible, magnetohydrodynamic turbulence -- which is widely accepted -- describes weak 3-wave turbulence; consequently, it is incorrect. Physical arguments, as well as detailed calculations of the coupling coefficients are used to demonstrate that these interactions are empty. We then examine resonant 4-wave interactions, and show that the resonance relations forbid energy transport to small spatial scales along the direction of the mean magnetic field, for both the shear Alfven wave and the pseudo Alfven wave. The three-dimensional inertial-range energy spectrum of 4-wave shear Alfven turbulence guessed from physical arguments reads E(k(sub z), k(sub perpendicular)) approximately V(sub A)v(sub L)L(exp -1/3)k(sub perpendicular)(exp -10/3), where V(sub A) is the Alfven speed, and v(sub L) is the velocity difference across the outer scale L. Given this spectrum, the velocity difference across lambda(sub perpendicular) approximately k(sub perpendicular exp -1) is v(sub lambda (sub perpendicular)) is approximately v(sub L)(lambda(sub perpendicular)/L)(exp 2/3). We derive a kinetic equation, and prove that this energy spectrum is a stationary solution and that it implies a positive flux of energy in k-space, along directions perpendicular to the mean magnetic field. Using this energy spectrum, we deduce that 4-wave interactions strengthen as the energy cascades to small, perpendicular spatial scales; beyond an upper bound in perpendicular wavenumber, k(sub perpendicular)L is approximately (V(sub A)/v(sub L))(exp 3/2), weak turbulence theory ceases to be valid. Energy excitation amplitudes must be very small for the 4-wave inertial-range to be substantial. When the excitation is strong, the width of the 4-wave inertial-range shrinks to zero. This seems likely to be the case in the interstellar medium.

Sridhar, S.↗

Third Order Optical Nonlinearity of Colloidal Metal Nanoclusters Formed by MeV Ion Implantation

We report the results of characterization of nonlinear refractive index of the composite material produced by MeV Ag ion implantation of LiNbO(sub 3) crystal (z-cut). The material after implantation exhibited a linear optical absorption spectrum with the surface plasmon peak near 430 nm attributed to the colloidal silver nanoclusters. Heat treatment of the material at 500 deg C caused a shift of the absorption peak to 550 nm. The nonlinear refractive index of the sample after heat treatment was measured in the region of the absorption peak with the Z-scan technique using a tunable picosecond laser source (4.5 ps pulse width).The experimental data were compared against the reference sample made of MeV Cu implanted silica with the absorption peak in the same region. The nonlinear index of the Ag implanted LiNbO(sub 3) sample produced at five times less fluence is on average two times greater than that of the reference.

Sarkisov, S. S.↗

Sub-quarter micrometer periodically poled Al 0.68 Sc 0.32 N for ultra-wideband photonics and acoustic devices

In this study, we demonstrate the ability of polarity inversion of sputtered aluminum scandium nitride thin films through post-fabrication processes with domain widths as small as 220 nm at a periodicity of 440 nm. An approach using photo- and electron-beam lithography to generate sub-quarter micrometer feature size with adjustable duty cycle through a lift-off process is presented. Here, the film with a coercive field $E_c^+$ of 5.35 MV/cm was exercised first with a 1 kHz triangular double bipolar wave and ultimately poled with a 0.5 kHz double monopolar wave using a Radiant Precision Premier II tester. The metal polar (M-polar) and nitrogen polar (N-polar) domains were identified and characterized through potassium hydroxide wet etching as well as piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM). Well-distinguished boundaries between the oppositely polarized domain regions were confirmed through the phase diagram of the PFM results. The relationship between the electrode width, poling voltage, and domain growth was experimentally studied and statistically analyzed, where 7.96 nm/V domain width broadening vs escalating poling voltage was observed. This method produces extremely high domain spatial resolution in III-nitride materials via poling and is transferable to a CMOS-compatible photolithography process. The spatial resolution of the periodically poled Al 0.68 Sc 0.32 N is suitable for second-harmonic generation of deep ultraviolet through quasi-phase-matching and RF MEMS operating in the X-Band spectrum.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Carbon trimer as a 2 eV single-photon emitter candidate in hexagonal boron nitride: A first-principles study

The generation of single-photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride around 2 eV emission is experimentally well recognized; however, the atomic nature of these emitters is unknown. In this Letter, we use first-principles calculations to demonstrate that carbon trimer substitutional defect (C 2 C N ) is a possible source of 2 eV single-photon emitter in hBN. Here, we showcase the calculations of a complete set of static and dynamical properties related to quantum defects, including exciton-defect couplings and electron-phonon interactions, from both density functional theory and many-body perturbation theory. In particular, we show that it is critical to consider both radiative and nonradiative processes when comparing with experimental lifetime for known 2 eV emitters. We find that C 2 C N has several key physical properties matching the ones of experimentally observed single-photon emitters. These include the zero-phonon line (2.13 eV), Huang-Rhys factor (1.35), photoluminescence lifetime (2.19 ns), phonon-sideband energy (180 meV), and photoluminescence spectrum. The identification of defect candidates for 2 eV emission paves the way for controllable single-photon emission generation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spectroscopy of Mars from 2.04 to 2.44 micrometers during the 1993 opposition: absolute calibration and atmospheric vs mineralogic origin of narrow absorption features

We present moderate-resolution (lambda/delta lambda = 300 to 370) reflectance spectra of Mars from 2.04 to 2.44 micrometers that were obtained at UKIRT during the 1993 opposition. Seven narrow absorption features were detected and found to have a Mars origin. By comparison with solar and Mars atmospheric spectra, five of these features were attributed all or in part to Mars atmospheric CO2 or CO(2.052 +/- 0.003, 2.114 +/- 0.002, 2.150 +/- 0.003, 2.331 +/- 0.001, and 2.357 +/- 0.002 micrometers). Two of the bands (2.331 +/- 0.001 and 2.357 +/- 0.002 micrometers) appear to have widths and depths that are consistent with additional, nonatmospheric absorptions, although a solar contribution cannot be entirely ruled out. Two other weak bands centered at 2.278 +/- 0.002 and 2.296 +/- 0.002 micrometers may be at least partially mineralogic in origin. The data provide no conclusive identification of the mineralogy responsible for these absorption features. However, examination of terrestrial spectral libraries and previous moderate spectral resolution mineral studies indicates that the most likely origin of these features is either (bi)carbonate or (bi)sulfate anions in framework silicates or (Fe, Mg)-OH bonds in sheet silicates. If the bands are caused by phyllosilicate minerals, then an explanation must be found for the extremely narrow widths of the cation-OH features in the Mars spectra as compared to terrestrial minerals.

Mars↗

Is a pyrene-like molecular ion the cause of the 4,430-angstroms diffuse interstellar absorption band?

The diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs), ubiquitous absorption features in astronomical spectra, have been known since early this century and now number more than a hundred. Ranging from 4,400 angstroms to the near infrared, they differ markedly in depth, width and shape, making the concept of a single carrier unlikely. Whether they are due to gas or grains is not settled, but recent results suggest that the DIB carriers are quite separate from the grains that cause visual extinction. Among molecular candidates the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been proposed as the possible carriers of some of the DIBs, and we present here laboratory measurements of the optical spectrum of the pyrene cation C16H10+ in neon and argon matrices. The strongest absorption feature falls at 4,435 +/- 5 angstroms in the argon matrix and 4,395 +/- 5 angstroms in the neon matrix, both close to the strong 4,430-angstroms DIB. If this or a related pyrene-like species is responsible for this particular band, it must account for 0.2% of all cosmic carbon. The ion also shows an intense but puzzling broad continuum, extending from the ultraviolet to the visible, similar to what is seen in the naphthalene cation and perhaps therefore a common feature of all PAH cations. This may provide an explanation of how PAHs convert a large fraction of interstellar radiation from ultraviolet and visible wavelengths down to the infrared.

NASA Center ARC↗

Search for O VI Emission from the Shocked Circurmstellar Gas of SN 1987A

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) was used to search for broad O VI emission from the shock interaction zones produced by the collision of high-velocity supernova ejecta with the dense inner circumstellar ring of SN 1987A. Since the shock interaction with the inner ring began in 1997, broad (FWHM = 300 km/sec) emission from optical coronal lines (e.g. [Fe X], [Fe XI], and [Fe XIV]) has emerged and increased exponentially in strength. O VI 1032-1038 Angstrom emission is expected to track the coronal lines. O VI is also expected to be the primary cooling transition for the million-degree shocked gas. An accurate measurement of the O VI line strength would significantly improve current models of the shock interaction. FUSE observations of SN 1987A in 2000 and 2001 did not detect broad O VI due to spectral contamination fiom two earlytype stars within a few arc seconds of the SN. However, O VI emission was detected with narrow line widths (FWHM less than 35 km/sec) and a heliocentric radial velocity of +280 km/sec. This places the emitting gas at rest relative to the supernova and is interpreted as emission from unshocked circumstellar gas. A new FUSE observation of SN 1987A obtained in May 2007 used a narrow slit (1.25 x 20 arcsec) to significantly reduce the spectral contamination from the two early-type stars. Yet the 2007 spectrum does not reveal any significant O VI emission. The implications of these results are discussed.

Sonneborn, G.↗

Noise suppression for MHD characterization with electron cyclotron emission imaging 1D technique

Significant noise suppression for magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) mode characterization in the spatial and spectral domain is achieved by processing two-dimensional (2D) electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) data with a one-dimensional (1D) ECEI technique using a short time window ($1\;{\text{ms}}$). The technique is applied to detect toroidal Alfven eigenmodes (TAEs) in the temporal spectrum and fit their radial envelope using the data from the DIII-D tokamak W-band 2D ECEI system. Using the data length (time window) of only 1 ${\text{ms}}$, the 1D ECEI can clearly detect the TAEs (~100 ${\text{kHz}}$) on the spectrum, while similar spectrum quality requires ~10 ${\text{ms}}$ data length with the cross power spectrum between two midplane ECEI channels. The 1D ECEI technique also effectively avoids biased fitting when resolving the fine structure of the TAE's radial envelope. The radially spatial resolution of 1D ECEI is constrained by the finite ECE radiation volume of the ECEI receiver. Here, with forward radiation modeling, we find the DIII-D ECEI system can sensitively measure the even parity MHD activities, for which the mode width is >15 mm, and tearing modes (odd parity MHD activities), for which the island full width is >30 mm.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

The ultraviolet spectrum of the peculiar A star HD 51418

High-dispersion observations of the peculiar A star HD 51418 have been carried out in the ultraviolet by the IUE satellite. Atomic resonance lines observed in the regions 1800-2000 and 2500-3000 A include those of Mg II, Ti II, Cr I, Cr II, Mn II, Fe II and Zn II, and possibly Si II, S I, V II, Fe I, Co II, Y II, Ce II, Ce III, Eu II, Eu III and Tb III. The Mg II 2796 and 2803 A resonance lines exhibit definite variations in equivalent width with orbital phase, which can be attributed to changes in the local atmospheric structure due to the patchy distribution of other elements. In addition, the observations confirm the well known trend for a light-heavy asymmetry in iron peak spectra similar to that observed in the rare earths.

Adelman, S. J.↗

Turbulence Studies of a Rectangular Slotted Noise-Suppressor Nozzle

The problem of noise suppression of turbojet engines has shown a need for turbulence data within the flow field of various types of nozzles used in ad hoc investigations of the sound power. The result of turbulence studies in a nozzle configuration of four parallel rectangular slots is presented in this report with special attention to the effect of the spacing of the nozzles on the intensity of turbulence, scale of turbulence, spectrum of turbulence, and the mean stream velocity. Taylor's hypothesis, which describes the convection of the turbulence eddies, was tested and found correct within experimental error and certain experimental and theoretical limitations. The convection of the pressure patterns was also investigated, and the value of the convection velocity was found to be about 0.43 times the central core velocity of the jets. The effect of the spacing-to-width ratio of the nozzles upon the turbulence intensity, the scale of turbulence, and the spectral distribution of the noise was found in general to produce a maximum change for spacing-to-width ratios of 1.5 to 2.0. These changes may be the cause of the reduction in sound power reported for similar full-scale nozzles and test conditions under actual (static) engine operation. A noise reduction parameter is defined from Lighthill's theory which gives qualitative agreement with experiments which show the noise reduction is greatest for spacing-to-width ratios of 1.5 to 2.0.

Laurence, James C.↗

A study of the P-Cygni lines in the ultraviolet spectrum of Beta Lyrae

The properties of the mass loss from the nondegenerate interacting binary system of beta Lyrae are investigated by analyzing the P-Cygni line profiles in the UV spectrum and considering these to be emitted in the wind outflow from the B8II primary component. Observed UV lines obtained by IUE are compared with theoretical models obtained using Sobolev's approximation. The models give satisfactory fittings. Simultaneous fitting of the resonance lines of Al II (1670 A) and Al III (1863 A) show that if the lines are emitted in the same region of the outflowing shell, as the line widths indicate, the electron temperature in the region is 23,500 K, and the mass loss is 2 times 10 to the minus 7th power solar masses/yr.

Mazzali, Paolo A.↗

The participation of nuclei in type-III-related electron streams

We study 27 increases of the flux of 300-800 keV electrons on board HELIOS A or B, associated with intense type III radio bursts close to perihelion passages of the two spacecraft, during the solar minimum. Electrons can be detected inside cones with an angular width between 30 deg and 60 deg. Though only intense type III bursts are associated with recognizable electron events in space, such an association does not exist for all of them; this fact and great differences in fluxes of the individual events indicate that, apart from the intensity, also some other characteristic of the type III burst acceleration or propagation process determines the resulting flux of electrons in space; the energy spectrum of the accelerated electrons is one of the likely candidates. A comparison of the electron flux in these events with the flux of 1.7-3.7 MeV/nucl helium reveals very large variations of the helium/electron flux ratio, by a factor of at least 15 and possibly much higher. We demonstrate that these variations are not caused by propagation effects in interplanetary space. Therefore, they must be due either to propagation effects in the solar corona, or more likely, to intrinsic variations in the relative production of electrons and nuclei in the type III burst process. An extrapolation of the observed fluxes to 1 AU shows that in only 7 of the 27 electron events studied might a marginal greater than 1.7 MeV helium flux be recognized at the Earth distance.

Kallenrode, May-Britt↗

The Twins Embedding of Type Ia Supernovae. II. Improving Cosmological Distance Estimates

We show how spectra of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at maximum light can be used to improve cosmological distance estimates. In a companion article, we used manifold learning to build a three-dimensional parameterization of the intrinsic diversity of SNe Ia at maximum light that we call the "Twins Embedding."In this article, we discuss how the Twins Embedding can be used to improve the standardization of SNe Ia. With a single spectrophotometrically calibrated spectrum near maximum light, we can standardize our sample of SNe Ia with an rms of 0.101 0.007 mag, which corresponds to 0.084 0.009 mag if peculiar velocity contributions are removed and to 0.073 0.008 mag if a larger reference sample were obtained. Our techniques can standardize the full range of SNe Ia, including those typically labeled as peculiar and often rejected from other analyses. We find that traditional light-curve width + color standardization such as SALT2 is not sufficient. The Twins Embedding identifies a subset of SNe Ia, including, but not limited to, 91T-like SNe Ia whose SALT2 distance estimates are biased by 0.229 0.045 mag. Standardization using the Twins Embedding also significantly decreases host-galaxy correlations. We recover a host mass step of 0.040 0.020 mag compared to 0.092 0.026 mag for SALT2 standardization on the same sample of SNe Ia. These biases in traditional standardization methods could significantly impact future cosmology analyses if not properly taken into account.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗