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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Dynamics of electrical double layer formation in room-temperature ionic liquids under constant-current charging conditions

We report detailed simulation results on the formation dynamics of an electrical double layer (EDL) inside an electrochemical cell featuring room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) enclosed between two planar electrodes. Under relatively small charging currents, the evolution of cell potential during charging can be suitably predicted by the Landau-Ginzburg-type continuum model proposed recently (M. Z. Bazant, B. D. Storey, and A. A. Kornyshev, Phys. Rev. Lett., 106, 046102, 2011). Under very large charging currents, the cell potential shows pronounced oscillation during the initial stage of charging, a feature not captured by the continuum model. Such oscillation originates from the sequential growth of the ionic space charge layers near the electrode surface, allowing the evolution of EDLs in RTILs with time, an atomistic process difficult to visualize experimentally, to be studied by analyzing the cell potential under constant current charging conditions. While the continuum model cannot predict the potential oscillation under such far-from-equilibrium charging conditions, it can nevertheless qualitatively capture the growth of cell potential during the later stage of charging. Furthermore, improving the continuum model by introducing frequency-dependent dielectric constant and density-dependent ion diffusion coefficients may help to further extend the applicability of the model. Keywords: ionic

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Spin-Glass Behavior in a Giant Unit Cell Compound Tb117Fe52Ge113.8(1)

In this paper we demonstrate evidence of a cluster spin glass in Tb117Fe52Ge113.8(1) (a compound with a giant cubic unit cell) via ac and dc magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, magnetic relaxation and heat capacity measurements. The results clearly show that Tb117Fe52Ge113.8(1) undergoes a spin glass phase transition at the freezing temperature, ~38 K. The good fit of the frequency dependence of the freezing temperature to the critical slowing down model and Vogel-Fulcher law strongly suggest the formation of cluster glass in the Tb117Fe52Ge113.8(1) system. The heat capacity data exhibit no evidence for long-range magnetic order, and yield a large value of Sommerfeld coefficient. The spin glass behavior of Tb117Fe52Ge113.8(1) may be understood by assuming the presence of competing interactions among multiple non-equivalent Tb sites present in the highly complex unit cell.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Spin glass behavior in frustrated quantum spin system CuAl 2 O 4 with a possible orbital liquid state

CuAl 2 O 4 is a normal spinel oxide having quantum spin, S = 1/2 for Cu 2+ . It is a rather unique feature that the Cu 2+ ions of CuAl 2 O 4 sit at a tetrahedral position, not like the usual octahedral position for many oxides. At low temperatures, it exhibits all the thermodynamic evidence of a quantum spin glass. For example, the polycrystalline CuAl 2 O 4 shows a cusp centered at ~2 K in the low-field dc magnetization data and a clear frequency dependence in the ac magnetic susceptibility while it displays logarithmic relaxation behavior in a time dependence of the magnetization. At the same time, there is a peak at ~2.3 K in the heat capacity, which shifts towards a higher temperature with magnetic fields. Conversely, there is no evidence of new superlattice peaks in the high-resolution neutron powder diffraction data when cooled from 40 to 0.4 K. This implies that there is no long-ranged magnetic order down to 0.4 K, thus confirming a spin glass-like ground state for CuAl 2 O 4 . Interestingly, there is no sign of structural distortion either although Cu 2+ is a Jahn–Teller active ion. Therefore, we claim that an orbital liquid state is the most likely ground state in CuAl 2 O 4 . Of further interest, it also exhibits a large frustration parameter, f = |θ CW /T m | ~ 67, one of the largest values reported for spinel oxides. These observations suggest that CuAl 2 O 4 should be a rare example of a frustrated quantum spin glass with a good candidate for an orbital liquid state.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Magnetic structure, excitations and short-range order in honeycomb Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6

Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6 has a layered hexagonal structure with a honeycomb lattice constituted by Ni 2+ and a chiral charge distribution of Na + that resides between the Ni layers. In the present work, the antiferromagnetic transition temperature of Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6 is confirmed at TN˜ 27 K, and further, it is found to be robust up to 8 T magnetic field and 1.2 GPa external pressure; and, without any frequency-dependence. Slight deviations from nominal Na-content (up to 5%) does not seem to influence the magnetic transition temperature, TN. Isothermal magnetization curves remain almost linear up to 13 T. Our analysis of neutron diffraction data shows that the magnetic structure of Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6 is faithfully described by a model consisting of two phases described by the commensurate wave vectors vec kc, (0.5 0 0) and (0.5 0 0.5), with an additional short-range order component incorporated in to the latter phase. Consequently, a zig-zag long-range ordered magnetic phase of Ni 2+ results in the compound, mixed with a short-range ordered phase, which is supported by our specific heat data. Theoretical computations based on density functional theory (DFT) predict predominantly in-plane magnetic exchange interactions that conform to a J1-J2-J3 model with a strong J3 term. The computationally predicted parameters lead to a reliable estimate for TN and the experimentally observed zig-zag magnetic structure. A spin wave excitation in Na 2 Ni 2 TeO 6 at E ˜ 5 meV at T = 5 K is mapped out through inelastic neutron scattering experiments, which is reproduced by linear spin wave theory calculations using the J values from our computations. Our specific heat data and inelastic neutron scattering data strongly indicate the presence of short-range spin correlations, at T > TN, stemming from incipient antiferromagnetic clusters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A study of electroactive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel actuators through the use of the electric modulus formalism and cyclic linear voltage sweeps

The conductivity and dielectric properties are integral to the function of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gel actuators. The frequency-dependent properties of PVC gel actuators are investigated here in terms of their impedance, permittivity, and for the first time, electric modulus. The data shows that PVC gels’ conductive properties are just as, if not more, important as their dielectric properties in electromechanical transduction applications. The electrode polarization (EP) and its impact on the impedance and dielectric spectra of PVC gels, as well as the developed asymmetric space charge at the anode, are discussed. The electric modulus and tan δ spectra are used for the fitting of Cole-Cole (CC) and Debye relaxation models for gels of varying plasticizer content. The electrostatic adhesive force for PVC gels of varying plasticizer is also measured, indicating large electrostatic adhesion (>2 N cm -2 ). A cyclic linear voltage sweep is used to clarify the dynamics of space charge within the gels. The peak current (associated with space charge development) is seen to be concurrent with the onset of mechanical deformation, showing the asymmetric charge as the origin of electromechanical transduction. Additionally, the maximum charge transferred (as measured by the integration of current over time) before space charge development is found to correlate with the electrostatic adhesive force measured for the gels, pointing to a new method of characterizing PVC gels for actuation.

Instruments & Instrumentation↗

Predicting dust emission using galactic 21 cm data

Understanding large-angular-scale galactic foregrounds is crucial for future CMB experiments aiming to detect B-mode polarization from primordial gravitational waves. Traditionally, the dust component has been separated using its different frequency dependence. However, using non-CMB observations has potential to increase fidelity and decrease the re-construction noise. In this exploratory paper we investigate the capability of galactic 21 cm observations to predict the dust foreground in intensity. We train a neural network to predict the dust foreground as measured by the Planck Satellite from the full velocity data-cube of galactic 21 cm emission as measured by the HI4PI survey. We demonstrate that information in the velocity structure clearly improves the predictive power over both a simple integrated emission model and a simple linear model. The improvement is significant at arc-minute scales but more modest at degree scales. Finally, this proof of principle on temperature data indicates that it might also be possible to improve foreground polarization templates from the same input data.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Microtearing modes as the source of magnetic fluctuations in the JET pedestal

Abstract We report on a detailed study of magnetic fluctuations in the JET pedestal, employing basic theoretical considerations, gyrokinetic simulations, and experimental fluctuation data to establish the physical basis for their origin, role, and distinctive characteristics. We demonstrate quantitative agreement between gyrokinetic simulations of microtearing modes (MTMs) and two magnetic frequency bands with corresponding toroidal mode numbers n = 4 and 8. Such disparate fluctuation scales, with substantial gaps between toroidal mode numbers, are commonly observed in pedestal fluctuations. Here we provide a clear explanation, namely the alignment of the relevant rational surfaces (and not others) with the peak in the ω * profile, which is localized in the steep gradient region of the pedestal. We demonstrate that a global treatment is required to capture this effect. Nonlinear simulations suggest that the MTM fluctuations produce experimentally-relevant transport levels and saturate by relaxing the background electron temperature gradient, slightly downshifting the fluctuation frequencies from the linear predictions. Scans in collisionality are compared with a simple MTM dispersion relation. At the experimental points considered, MTM growth rates can either increase or decrease with collision frequency depending on the parameters thus defying any simple characterization of collisionality dependence.

Physics↗

Ultrafast bipolar conductivity driven by intense single-cycle terahertz pulses in a topological insulator Bi 2 Se 3

We present the measurement of ultrafast terahertz (THz) conductivity of a 50 nm thick topological insulator Bi 2 Se 3 at low temperature 5 K by using a THz pump and THz probe spectroscopy scheme. Here, the THz conductivity driven by a single-cycle intense THz pump exhibits a bipolar lineshape and frequency-dependent relaxation dynamics due to the separated surface and bulk charge carriers with distinctly different scattering rates and relaxation times. We also demonstrate THz pump field-dependent excitation of the surface and bulk spectral weights, which suggests one of the optimal THz excitation conditions for generating the most charge carriers from the topology-protected surface state relative to the bulk. This also allows THz control of surface and bulk transport channels in a selective way.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

TESTING THE JET QUENCHING PARADIGM WITH AN ULTRADEEP OBSERVATION OF A STEADILY SOFT STATE BLACK HOLE

We present ultradeep radio observations with the Expanded Very Large Array of 4U 1957+11, a Galactic black hole (BH) candidate X-ray binary known to exist in a persistent soft X-ray state. We derive a stringent upper limit of 11.4 {mu}Jy beam{sup -1} (3{sigma}) at 5-7 GHz, which provides the most rigorous upper limit to date on the presence of jets in a soft state BH X-ray binary (BHXB). X-ray, UV, and optical fluxes obtained within a few weeks of the radio data can be explained by thermal emission from the disk. At this X-ray luminosity, a hard state BHXB that follows the established empirical radio-X-ray correlation would be at least 330-810 times brighter at radio frequencies, depending on the distance to 4U 1957+11. This jet quenching of >2.5 orders of magnitude is greater than some models predict and implies that the jets are prevented from being launched altogether in the soft state. 4U 1957+11 is also more than one order of magnitude fainter than the faintest of the 'radio-quiet' population of hard state BHs. In addition, we show that, on average, soft state stellar-mass BHs probably have fainter jets than most active galactic nuclei in a state equivalent to the soft state. These results have implications for the conditions required for powerful, relativistic jets to form and provide a new empirical constraint for time- and accretion mode-dependent jet models, furthering our understanding of jet production and accretion onto BHs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

FDTD modeling of induced polarization phenomena in transient electromagnetics

The finite-difference time-domain scheme is augmented in order to treat the modelling of transient electromagnetic signals containing induced polarization effects from 3-D distributions of polarizable media. Compared to the non-dispersive problem, the discrete dispersive Maxwell system contains costly convolution operators. Key components to our solution for highly digitized model meshes are Debye decomposition and composite memory variables. We revert to the popular Cole-Cole model of dispersion to describe the frequency-dependent behaviour of electrical conductivity. Its inversely Laplace-transformed Debye decomposition results in a series of time convolutions between electric field and exponential decay functions, with the latter reflecting each Debye constituents' individual relaxation time. Finally, these function types in the discrete-time convolution allow for their substitution by memory variables, annihilating the otherwise prohibitive computing demands. Numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency and practicality of our algorithm.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Discovery of a Candidate Binary Supermassive Black Hole in a Periodic Quasar from Circumbinary Accretion Variability

Binary supermassive black holes (BSBHs) are expected to be a generic byproduct from hierarchical galaxy formation. The final coalescence of BSBHs is thought to be the loudest gravitational wave (GW) siren, yet no confirmed BSBH is known in the GW-dominated regime. While periodic quasars have been proposed as BSBH candidates, the physical origin of the periodicity has been largely uncertain. Here we report discovery of a periodicity (P=1607±7 days) at 99.95% significance (with a global p-value of ~10 –3 accounting for the look elsewhere effect) in the optical light curves of a redshift 1.53 quasar, SDSS J025214.67–002813.7. Combining archival Sloan Digital Sky Survey data with new, sensitive imaging from the Dark Energy Survey, the total ~20-yr time baseline spans ~4.6 cycles of the observed 4.4-yr (restframe 1.7-yr) periodicity. The light curves are best fit by a bursty model predicted by hydrodynamic simulations of circumbinary accretion disks. The periodicity is likely caused by accretion rate modulation by a milli-parsec BSBH emitting GWs, dynamically coupled to the circumbinary accretion disk. A bursty hydrodynamic variability model is statistically preferred over a smooth, sinusoidal model expected from relativistic Doppler boost, a kinematic effect proposed for PG1302–102. Furthermore, the frequency dependence of the variability amplitudes disfavors Doppler boost, lending independent support to the circumbinary accretion variability hypothesis. Given our detection rate of one BSBH candidate from circumbinary accretion variability out of 625 quasars, it suggests that future large, sensitive synoptic surveys such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time may be able to detect hundreds to thousands of candidate BSBHs from circumbinary accretion with direct implications for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Blazar variability power spectra from radio up to TeV photon energies: Mrk 421 and PKS 2155−304

ABSTRACT We present the results of the power spectral density (PSD) analysis for the blazars Mrk 421 and PKS 2155−304, using good-quality, densely sampled light curves at multiple frequencies, covering 17 decades of the electromagnetic spectrum, and variability time-scales from weeks up to a decade. The data were collected from publicly available archives of observatories at radio from Owens Valley Radio Observatory, optical and infrared (B, V, R, I, J, H, and Kbands), X-rays from the Swift and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer, high and very high energy (VHE) γ-rays from the Fermi and Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System as well as the High Energy Stereoscopic System. Our results are: (1) the power-law form of the variability power spectra at radio, infrared, and optical frequencies have slopes ∼1.8, indicative of random-walk-type noise processes; (2) the power-law form of the variability power spectra at higher frequencies, from X-rays to VHE γ-rays, however, have slopes ∼1.2, suggesting a flicker noise-type process; and (3) there is significantly more variability power at X-rays, high and VHE γ-rays on time-scales ≲ 100 d, as compared to lower energies. Our results do not easily fit into a simple model, in which a single compact emission zone is dominating the radiative output of the blazars across all the time-scales probed in our analysis. Instead, we argue that the frequency-dependent shape of the variability power spectra points out a more complex picture, with highly inhomogeneous outflow producing non-thermal emission over an extended, stratified volume.

Goyal, Arti↗

Radiation GRMHD simulations of M87: funnel properties and prospects for gap acceleration

Here, we use the public code EBHLIGHT to carry out 3D radiative general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) simulations of accretion on to the supermassive black hole in M87. The simulations self-consistently evolve a frequency-dependent Monte Carlo description of the radiation field produced by the accretion flow. We explore two limits of accumulated magnetic flux at the black hole (SANE and MAD), each coupled to several subgrid prescriptions for electron heating that are motivated by models of turbulence and magnetic reconnection. We present convergence studies for the radiation field and study its properties. We find that the near-horizon photon energy density is an order of magnitude higher than is predicted by simple isotropic estimates from the observed luminosity. The radially dependent photon momentum distribution is anisotropic and can be modeled by a set of point-sources near the equatorial plane. We draw properties of the radiation and magnetic field from the simulation and feed them into an analytic model of gap acceleration to estimate the very high energy (VHE) γ-ray luminosity from the magnetized jet funnel, assuming that a gap is able to form. We find luminosities of $\rm \sim 10^{41} \, erg \, s^{-1}$ for MAD models and $\rm \sim 2\times 10^{40} \, erg \, s^{-1}$ for SANE models, which are comparable to measurements of M87’s VHE flares. The time-dependence seen in our calculations is insufficient to explain the flaring behaviour. Our results provide a step towards bridging theoretical models of near-horizon properties seen in black hole images with the VHE activity of M87.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The Tianlai dish array low-z surveys forecasts

Here, we present the science case for surveys with the Tianlai dish array interferometer tuned to the [1300, 1400] MHz frequency range. Starting from a realistic generation of mock visibility data according to the survey strategy, we reconstruct maps of the sky and perform foreground subtraction. We estimate the level of residuals from imperfect subtraction, mostly due to mode mixing, i.e. distortions in the reconstructed 3D maps due to frequency-dependent instrument response. We show that a survey of the North Celestial Polar cap during a year of observations, covering an area of 150 deg 2 , would reach a sensitivity of $1.5-2 mK per 1 MHz x 0.25 2 deg 2 voxel and be marginally impacted by mode mixing. Tianlai would be able to detect ~10 nearby massive H i clumps as well as a very strong cross-correlation signal of 21 cm intensity maps with the North Celestial Cap Survey optical galaxies. We also studied the performance of a mid-latitude survey, covering ~ 1500 deg 2 overlapping the SDSS footprint. Despite a higher noise level for the mid-latitude survey, as well as significant distortions due to mode mixing, Tianlai would be able to detect a highly significant cross-correlation between the 21 cm signal and the Sloan spectroscopic galaxy sample. Using the extragalactic signals measured from either or both of these surveys, and comparing them with simulations such as those presented here will make it possible to assess the impact of various instrumental imperfections on the Tianlai dish array performance. This would pave the way for future intensity mapping surveys with higher sensitivity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Detection of significant cm to sub-mm band radio and γ-ray correlated variability in Fermi bright blazars

The exact location of the γ-ray emitting region in blazars is still controversial. In order to attack this problem we present first results of a cross-correlation analysis between radio (11 cm to 0.8 mm wavelength, F-GAMMA programme) and γ-ray (0.1–300 GeV) ~3.5 yr light curves of 54 Fermi-bright blazars. We perform a source stacking analysis and estimate significances and chance correlations using mixed source correlations. These results reveal: (i) the first highly significant multiband radio and γ-ray correlations (radio lagging γ rays) when averaging over the whole sample, (ii) average time delays (source frame: 76 ± 23 to 7 ± 9 d), systematically decreasing from cm to mm/sub-mm bands with a frequency dependence τr, γ(ν) ∝ ν -1 , in good agreement with jet opacity dominated by synchrotron self-absorption, (iii) a bulk γ-ray production region typically located within/upstream of the 3 mm core region (τ3mm, γ = 12 ± 8 d), (iv) mean distances between the region of γ-ray peak emission and the radio ‘τ = 1 photosphere’ decreasing from 9.8 ± 3.0 pc (11 cm) to 0.9 ± 1.1 pc (2 mm) and 1.4 ± 0.8 pc (0.8 mm), (v) 3 mm/γ-ray correlations in nine individual sources at a significance level where one is expected by chance (probability: 4 × 10 -6 ), (vi) opacity and ‘time lag core shift’ estimates for quasar 3C 454.3 providing a lower limit for the distance of the bulk γ-ray production region from the supermassive black hole (SMBH) of ~0.8–1.6 pc, i.e. at the outer edge of the broad-line region (BLR) or beyond. A 3 mm τ = 1 surface at ~2–3 pc from the jet base (i.e. well outside the ‘canonical BLR’) finally suggests that BLR material extends to several parsec distances from the SMBH.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Iron-group opacities for B stars

Frequency-dependent photon absorption and scattering transport cross-sections for iron-group elements were generated using a revised version of the opal opacity code. The calculations take advantage of advances in computers to generate improved atomic data as well as several fast algorithms developed for the computational demanding bound–bound spectrum. Additionally, the new iron group calculations are combined with the existing opal data for lighter elements to generate astrophysical opacities at matter conditions applicable to B stars. The results are slightly reduced Rosseland mean opacities of Population I stars at the peak of the Z-bump. The analysis explores several uncertainties related to the iron group opacities and includes comparisons with existing opal and OP results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Probing dissipation mechanisms in BL Lac jets through X-ray polarimetry

The dissipation of energy flux in blazar jets plays a key role in the acceleration of relativistic particles. Two possibilities are commonly considered for the dissipation processes, magnetic reconnection – possibly triggered by instabilities in magnetically dominated jets – or shocks – for weakly magnetized flows. In this paper, we consider the polarimetric features expected for the two scenarios analyzing the results of state-of-the-art simulations. For the magnetic reconnection scenario we conclude, using results from global relativistic MHD simulations, that the emission likely occurs in turbulent regions with unstructured magnetic fields, although the simulations do not allow us to draw firm conclusions. On the other hand, with local particle-in-cell simulations we show that, for shocks with a magnetic field geometry suitable for particle acceleration, the self-generated magnetic field at the shock front is predominantly orthogonal to the shock normal and becomes quasi-parallel downstream. Based on this result we develop a simplified model to calculate the frequency-dependent degree of polarization, assuming that high-energy particles are injected at the shock and cool downstream. We apply our results to HBLs, blazars with the maximum of their synchrotron output at UV-soft X-ray energies. While in the optical band the predicted degree of polarization is low, in the X-ray emission it can ideally reach 50 per cent, especially during active/flaring states. The comparison between measurements in the optical and in the X-ray band made during active states (feasible with the planned IXPE satellite) is expected to provide valuable constraints on the dissipation and acceleration processes.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Detection and removal of B-mode dust foregrounds with signatures of statistical anisotropy

Searches for inflationary gravitational wave signals in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) B-mode polarization are expected to reach unprecedented power over the next decade. A major difficulty in these ongoing searches is that Galactic foregrounds such as dust can easily mimic inflationary signals. Though, typically, foregrounds are separated from primordial signals using the foregrounds’ different frequency dependence, in this paper we investigate instead the extent to which the Galactic dust B-modes’ statistical anisotropy can be used to distinguish them from inflationary B-modes, building on the work of Kamionkowski and Kovetz (2014). In our work, we extend existing anisotropy estimators and apply them to simulations of polarized dust to forecast their performance for future experiments. Considering the application of this method as a null-test for dust contamination to CMB-S4, we find that we can detect residual dust levels corresponding to r ~ 0.001 at 2σ, which implies that statistical anisotropy estimators will be a powerful diagnostic for foreground residuals (though our results show some dependence on the dust simulation used). Finally, considering applications beyond a simple null test, we demonstrate how anisotropy statistics can be used to construct an estimate of the dust B-mode map, which could potentially be used to clean the B-mode sky.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗