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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,513 records · Page 84
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Study of a plate-electrode XeCl laser with a pulse repetition rate up to 5 kHz

The results of the study of a repetitively pulsed XeCl laser with a high rate of pulse repetition and the electrode assembly based on a multi-section discharge gap with inductance-capacitance stabilisation of the discharge are presented. The multi-section discharge gap is formed by 25 pairs of anode - cathode plates. The discharge formed in the interelectrode gap had the dimensions 250 Multiplication-Sign 12 Multiplication-Sign 2 mm. The studies were performed using the HCl - Xe - Ne laser mixture at the total pressure up to 3.5 atm. The limit value of the radiation pulse repetition rate was equal to 5 kHz. The meansquare deviation of the pulse energy increased from 0.8 % to 1.6 % in the range of repetition rates from 1 to 4.5 kHz and did not exceed 2.4 % at the frequency 5 kHz. The maximal energy of the laser pulse and the efficiency coefficient were equal to 7.9 mJ and 1.6 %, respectively. The maximal power of laser radiation (31 W) was obtained at the repetition rate 5 kHz. A new technique of measuring the gas flow velocity in the interelectrode gap is proposed. The velocity of gas circulation at the maximal pressure of the mixture did not exceed 18 m s{sup -1}. Optical inhomogeneities were observed, caused by a high concentration of electrons in the discharge plasma, by the acoustic wave, arising in the discharge gap, and by the heating of the gas in the discharge. (lasers)

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Study of UV Cu + Ne – CuBr laser lifetime by statistical methods

On the basis of a large amount of experimental data, statistical investigation of the average lifetime of a UV Cu + Ne – CuBr laser depending on ten input physical laser parameters is carried out. It is found that only three of the parameters have a substantial influence on the laser lifetime. Physical analysis and interpretation of the results are provided. (lasers)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Laser image recording on detonation nanodiamond films

A focused He – Ne laser beam is shown to cause local blackening of semitransparent detonation nanodiamond (DND) films at incident power densities above 600 W cm{sup -2}. Data obtained with a Raman spectrometer and low-power 632.8-nm laser source indicate that the blackening is accompanied by a decrease in broadband background luminescence and emergence of sharp Raman peaks corresponding to the structures of nanodiamond and sp{sup 2} carbon. The feasibility of image recording on DND films by a focused He – Ne laser beam is demonstrated. (letters)

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Two-channel method for measuring losses in a ring optical resonator at a wavelength of 632.8 nm

A two-channel method is proposed for measuring losses in an optical ring resonator (RR), in which eigenmodes (counterpropagating waves) are excited by means of a Zeeman ring He – Ne laser with a wavelength of 632.8 nm. The measured frequency splitting of the laser counterpropgating waves is used to determine the absolute value of losses in an exemplary RR. The value of losses in the measured RR is determined by comparing the resonance width of the output radiation intensity with the resonance width of the radiation intensity for an exemplary resonator. The algorithm of intensity resonance processing takes into account the distortions caused by the dynamic effect, which allows a significant increase in the accuracy (up to 1% – 2%) and sensitivity of the proposed method. The measured losses in the RR with a perimeter of 28 cm constitute 80 – 5000 ppm. (resonators)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

Measurements of complex coupling coefficients in a ring resonator of a laser gyroscope

A method is proposed for measuring complex coupling coefficients in a ring optical resonator in the absence of an active gas mixture. A setup is described on which measurements are performed in ring resonators of ring He – Ne lasers with a wavelength of 632.8 nm. A model of backscattering field interference between conservative and dissipative sources is presented. Within the framework of this model, the unusual behaviour of backscattering fields in ring resonators observed in experiments is explained: a significant difference in the moduli of coupling coefficients of counterpropagating waves and variation of the magnitude of the total phase shift in a wide range. It is proposed to use this method as a metrological method when assembling and aligning a ring resonator of a laser gyroscope.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhancement of the sensitivity of the light-induced drift effect to interatomic interaction potentials using a mixture of two buffer gases

Based on five different nonempirical (calculated ab initio) interaction potentials for pairs of colliding Li – Ne particles and three different interaction potentials for pairs of colliding Li – Ar particles, we have theoretically investigated the spectral features of the light-induced drift (LID) rate of Li atoms in the buffer Ne gas in a mixture of buffer Ne + Ar gases. The calculations of LID of Li atoms in the buffer Ne gas for two interaction potentials predict anomalous LID and, as a result, strong sensitivity of the spectral shape of the LID lines to the differences in these potentials. For three other potentials (out of the five in question), the shape of the LID line of Li atoms in Ne is insensitive to the shape of the potential, since calculations with these potentials predict a normal LID effect. In this case, as it turned out, by adding a small fraction (approximately 10 %) of Ar to Ne, one can go from normal LID to anomalous LID and thereby radically increase the sensitivity of the LID line shape of Li atoms to the difference in these interaction potentials. The results obtained enable high-precision testing of the interatomic interaction potentials in experiments on anomalous LID. (nonlinear optical phenomena)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

MULTI-WAVELENGTH GOALS OBSERVATIONS OF STAR FORMATION AND ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS ACTIVITY IN THE LUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXY IC 883

New optical Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Spitzer Space Telescope, Galaxy Evolution Explorer, and Chandra observations of the single-nucleus, luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) merger IC 883 are presented. The galaxy is a member of the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey and is of particular interest for a detailed examination of a luminous late-stage merger due to the richness of the optically visible star clusters and the extended nature of the nuclear X-ray, mid-IR, CO, and radio emission. In the HST Advanced Camera for Surveys images, the galaxy is shown to contain 156 optically visible star clusters distributed throughout the nuclear regions and tidal tails of the merger, with a majority of visible clusters residing in an arc {approx}3-7 kpc from the position of the mid-infrared core of the galaxy. The luminosity functions of the clusters have an {alpha}{sub F435W} {approx} -2.17 {+-} 0.22 and {alpha}{sub F814W} {approx} -2.01 {+-} 0.21, compared with V-band-derived values measured for the well-studied LIRG NGC 34 and the Antennae Galaxy of {alpha} {approx} -1.7 {+-} 0.1 and -2.13 {+-} 0.07, respectively. Further, the colors and absolute magnitudes of the majority of the clusters are consistent with instantaneous burst population synthesis model ages in the range of a few Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 7}-10{sup 8} yr (for 10{sup 5} M{sub Sun} clusters), but may be as low as few Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 6} yr with extinction factored in. The X-ray and mid-IR spectroscopies are indicative of predominantly starburst-produced nuclear emission, and the star formation rate, estimated based on the assumption that the radio and far-infrared luminosities are tracing the starburst population, is {approx}80 M{sub Sun} yr{sup -1}. The kinematics of the CO emission and the morphology of both the CO and radio emission are consistent with the nuclear starburst being situated in a highly inclined disk 2 kpc in diameter with an infrared surface brightness {mu}{sub IR} {approx} 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} L{sub Sun} kpc{sup -2}, a factor of 10 less than that of the Orion star-forming region. Finally, the detection of the [Ne V] 14.32 {mu}m emission line is evidence that an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is present. The faintness of the line (i.e., [Ne V]/[Ne II] 12.8 {mu}m {approx} 0.01) and the small equivalent width of the 6.2 {mu}m polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feature (=0.39 {mu}m) are both indicative of a relatively weak AGN.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

ALFALFA DISCOVERY OF THE NEARBY GAS-RICH DWARF GALAXY LEO P. III. AN EXTREMELY METAL DEFICIENT GALAXY

We present KPNO 4 m and LBT/MODS spectroscopic observations of an H II region in the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy Leo P discovered recently in the Arecibo ALFALFA survey. In both observations, we are able to accurately measure the temperature sensitive [O III] {lambda}4363 line and determine a ''direct'' oxygen abundance of 12 + log(O/H) = 7.17 {+-} 0.04. Thus, Leo P is an extremely metal deficient (XMD) galaxy, and, indeed, one of the most metal deficient star-forming galaxies ever observed. For its estimated luminosity, Leo P is consistent with the relationship between luminosity and oxygen abundance seen in nearby dwarf galaxies. Leo P shows normal {alpha} element abundance ratios (Ne/O, S/O, and Ar/O) when compared to other XMD galaxies, but elevated N/O, consistent with the ''delayed release'' hypothesis for N/O abundances. We derive a helium mass fraction of 0.2509{sup +0.0184}{sub -0.0123}, which compares well with the WMAP + BBN prediction of 0.2483 {+-} 0.0002 for the primordial helium abundance. We suggest that surveys of very low mass galaxies compete well with emission line galaxy surveys for finding XMD galaxies. It is possible that XMD galaxies may be divided into two classes: the relatively rare XMD emission line galaxies which are associated with starbursts triggered by infall of low-metallicity gas and the more common, relatively quiescent XMD galaxies like Leo P, with very low chemical abundances due to their intrinsically small masses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

THE SPATIAL EXTENT OF (U)LIRGS IN THE MID-INFRARED. II. FEATURE EMISSION

We present results from the second part of our analysis of the extended mid-infrared (MIR) emission of the GOALS sample based on 5-14 {mu}m low-resolution spectra obtained with the Infrared Spectrograph on Spitzer. We calculate the fraction of extended emission (FEE) as a function of wavelength for all galaxies in the sample, FEE{sub {lambda}}, defined as the fraction of the emission that originates outside of the unresolved central component of a source, and spatially separate the MIR spectrum of a galaxy into its nuclear and extended components. We find that the [Ne II]12.81 {mu}m emission line is as compact as the hot dust MIR continuum, while the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission is more extended. In addition, the 6.2 and 7.7 {mu}m PAH emission is more compact than that of the 11.3 {mu}m PAH, which is consistent with the formers being enhanced in a more ionized medium. The presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) or a powerful nuclear starburst increases the compactness and the luminosity surface density of the hot dust MIR continuum, but has a negligible effect on the spatial extent of the PAH emission on kpc-scales. Furthermore, it appears that both processes, AGN and/or nuclear starburst, are indistinguishable in terms of how they modify the integrated PAH-to-continuum ratio of the FEE in (ultra)luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs). Globally, the 5-14 {mu}m spectra of the extended emission component are homogeneous for all galaxies in the GOALS sample. This suggests that, independently of the spatial distribution of the various MIR features, the physical properties of star formation occurring at distances farther than 1.5 kpc from the nuclei of (U)LIRGs are very similar, resembling local star-forming galaxies with L{sub IR} < 10{sup 11} L{sub sun}, as well as star-formation-dominated ULIRGs at z {approx} 2. In contrast, the MIR spectra of the nuclear component of local ULIRGs and LIRGs are very diverse. These results imply that the observed variety of the integrated MIR properties of local (U)LIRGs arise, on average, only from the processes that are taking place in their cores.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

TUNGSTEN ISOTOPIC COMPOSITIONS IN STARDUST SiC GRAINS FROM THE MURCHISON METEORITE: CONSTRAINTS ON THE s-PROCESS IN THE Hf-Ta-W-Re-Os REGION

We report the first tungsten isotopic measurements in stardust silicon carbide (SiC) grains recovered from the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite. The isotopes {sup 182,183,184,186}W and {sup 179,180}Hf were measured on both an aggregate (KJB fraction) and single stardust SiC grains (LS+LU fraction) believed to have condensed in the outflows of low-mass carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with close-to-solar metallicity. The SiC aggregate shows small deviations from terrestrial (= solar) composition in the {sup 182}W/{sup 184}W and {sup 183}W/{sup 184}W ratios, with deficits in {sup 182}W and {sup 183}W with respect to {sup 184}W. The {sup 186}W/{sup 184}W ratio, however, shows no apparent deviation from the solar value. Tungsten isotopic measurements in single mainstream stardust SiC grains revealed lower than solar {sup 182}W/{sup 184}W, {sup 183}W/{sup 184}W, and {sup 186}W/{sup 184}W ratios. We have compared the SiC data with theoretical predictions of the evolution of W isotopic ratios in the envelopes of AGB stars. These ratios are affected by the slow neutron-capture process and match the SiC data regarding their {sup 182}W/{sup 184}W, {sup 183}W/{sup 184}W, and {sup 179}Hf/{sup 180}Hf isotopic compositions, although a small adjustment in the s-process production of {sup 183}W is needed in order to have a better agreement between the SiC data and model predictions. The models cannot explain the {sup 186}W/{sup 184}W ratios observed in the SiC grains, even when the current {sup 185}W neutron-capture cross section is increased by a factor of two. Further study is required to better assess how model uncertainties (e.g., the formation of the {sup 13}C neutron source, the mass-loss law, the modeling of the third dredge-up, and the efficiency of the {sup 22}Ne neutron source) may affect current s-process predictions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

THE s-PROCESS IN ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS OF LOW METALLICITY AND THE COMPOSITION OF CARBON-ENHANCED METAL-POOR STARS

We present models for the slow neutron-capture process (s-process) in asymptotic giant branch stars of metallicity [Fe/H] = -2.3 and masses 0.9-6 M{sub Sun }. We encountered different regimes of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis listed here increasing in importance as the stellar mass decreases: the {sup 22}Ne({alpha}, n){sup 25}Mg reaction activated during the thermal pulses (TPs), the {sup 13}C({alpha}, n){sup 16}O reaction activated in radiative conditions during the interpulse periods, and the {sup 13}C({alpha}, n){sup 16}O reaction activated during the TPs, also as a result of mild proton-ingestion episodes. The models where the {sup 13}C burns radiatively (masses {approx_equal}2 M{sub Sun }) produce an overall good match to carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars showing s-process enhancements (CEMP-s), except they produce too much Na and F. On the other hand, none of our models can provide a match to the composition of CEMP stars also showing rapid-process enhancements (CEMP-s/r). The models fail to reproduce the observed Eu abundances, and they also fail to reproduce the correlation between the Eu and Ba abundances. They also cannot match the ratio of heavy-to-light s-process elements observed in many CEMP-s/r stars, which can be more than 10 times higher than in the solar system. To explain the composition of CEMP-s/r stars we need to invoke the existence of a different 's/r' neutron-capture process either with features in between the s- and the r-processes, or generated by superpositions of different neutron-capture processes in the same astrophysical site or in sites linked to each other-for example, in multiple stellar systems.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

CASCADES AFTER K-VACANCY PRODUCTION IN ATOMS AND IONS OF LIGHT ELEMENTS

The results of detailed level-by-level calculations of Auger and radiative cascades after K-vacancy production are presented for the astrophysically important elements, namely Ne, Mg, Si, S, and Ar. Calculations are performed using the single-configuration, quasi-relativistic approximation. The whole isonuclear sequence of ions for a given element is considered. For the first time, the dependence of the cascade on the initial vacancy state is investigated. The populations are presented not only for the levels of the final configurations, but also for the levels of the excited configurations after the Auger transitions. An intense characteristic emission can be observed from such levels.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

HEAVY ELEMENT NUCLEOSYNTHESIS IN THE BRIGHTEST GALACTIC ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS

We present updated calculations of stellar evolutionary sequences and detailed nucleosynthesis predictions for the brightest asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars in the Galaxy with masses between 5 M{sub Sun} and 9 M{sub Sun }, with an initial metallicity of Z = 0.02 ([Fe/H] = 0.14). In our previous studies we used the Vassiliadis and Wood mass-loss rate, which stays low until the pulsation period reaches 500 days after which point a superwind begins. Vassiliadis and Wood noted that for stars over 2.5 M{sub Sun} the superwind should be delayed until P Almost-Equal-To 750 days at 5 M{sub Sun }. We calculate evolutionary sequences where we delay the onset of the superwind to pulsation periods of P Almost-Equal-To 700-800 days in models of M = 5, 6, and 7 M{sub Sun }. Post-processing nucleosynthesis calculations show that the 6 and 7 M{sub Sun} models produce the most Rb, with [Rb/Fe] Almost-Equal-To 1 dex, close to the average of most of the Galactic Rb-rich stars ([Rb/Fe] Almost-Equal-To 1.4 {+-} 0.8 dex). Changing the rate of the {sup 22}Ne +{alpha} reactions results in variations of [Rb/Fe] as large as 0.5 dex in models with a delayed superwind. The largest enrichment in heavy elements is found for models that adopt the NACRE rate of the {sup 22}Ne({alpha}, n){sup 25}Mg reaction. Using this rate allows us to best match the composition of most of the Rb-rich stars. A synthetic evolution algorithm is then used to remove the remaining envelope resulting in final [Rb/Fe] of Almost-Equal-To 1.4 dex although with C/O ratios >1. We conclude that delaying the superwind may account for the large Rb overabundances observed in the brightest metal-rich AGB stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

DOUBLE-PEAKED NARROW-LINE ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI. II. THE CASE OF EQUAL PEAKS

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with double-peaked narrow lines (DPAGNs) may be caused by kiloparsec-scale binary AGNs, bipolar outflows, or rotating gaseous disks. We examine the class of DPAGNs in which the two narrow-line components have closely similar intensity as being especially likely to involve disks or jets. Two spectroscopic indicators support this likelihood. For DPAGNs from Smith et al., the 'equal-peaked' objects (EPAGNs) have [Ne V]/[O III]ratios lower than for a control sample of non-double-peaked AGNs. This is unexpected for a pair of normal AGNs in a galactic merger, but may be consistent with [O III] emission from a rotating ring with relatively little gas at small radii. Also, [O III]/H{beta} ratios of the redshifted and blueshifted systems in the EPAGN are more similar to each other than in a control sample, suggestive of a single ionizing source and inconsistent with the binary interpretation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

PROPERTIES AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF DUST EMISSION IN THE CRAB NEBULA

Recent infrared (IR) observations of freshly formed dust in supernova remnants have yielded significantly lower dust masses than predicted by theoretical models and measured from high-redshift observations. The Crab Nebula's pulsar wind is thought to be sweeping up freshly formed supernova (SN) dust along with the ejected gas. The evidence for this dust was found in the form of an IR excess in the integrated spectrum of the Crab and in extinction against the synchrotron nebula that revealed the presence of dust in the filament cores. We present the first spatially resolved emission spectra of dust in the Crab Nebula acquired with the Infrared Spectrograph on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. The IR spectra are dominated by synchrotron emission and show forbidden line emission from S, Si, Ne, Ar, O, Fe, and Ni. We derived a synchrotron spectral map from the 3.6 and 4.5 {mu}m images, and subtracted this contribution from our data to produce a map of the residual continuum emission from dust. The dust emission appears to be concentrated along the ejecta filaments and is well described by an amorphous carbon or silicate grain compositions. We find a dust temperature of 55 {+-} 4 K for silicates and 60 {+-} 7 K for carbon grains. The total estimated dust mass is (1.2-12) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -3} M{sub Sun }, well below the theoretical dust yield predicted for a core-collapse supernova. Our grain heating model implies that the dust grain radii are relatively small, unlike what is expected for dust grains formed in a Type IIP SN.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

SPATIALLY RESOLVED HST GRISM SPECTROSCOPY OF A LENSED EMISSION LINE GALAXY AT z {approx} 1

We take advantage of gravitational lensing amplification by A1689 (z 0.187) to undertake the first space-based census of emission line galaxies (ELGs) in the field of a massive lensing cluster. Forty-three ELGs are identified to a flux of i{sub 775} = 27.3 via slitless grism spectroscopy. One ELG (at z = 0.7895) is very bright owing to lensing magnification by a factor of Almost-Equal-To 4.5. Several Balmer emission lines (ELs) detected from ground-based follow-up spectroscopy signal the onset of a major starburst for this low-mass galaxy (M{sub *} Almost-Equal-To 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} M{sub Sun }) with a high specific star formation rate ( Almost-Equal-To 20 Gyr{sup -1}). From the blue ELs we measure a gas-phase oxygen abundance consistent with solar (12+log(O/H) = 8.8 {+-} 0.2). We break the continuous line-emitting region of this giant arc into seven {approx}1 kpc bins (intrinsic size) and measure a variety of metallicity-dependent line ratios. A weak trend of increasing metal fraction is seen toward the dynamical center of the galaxy. Interestingly, the metal line ratios in a region offset from the center by {approx}1 kpc have a placement on the blue H II region excitation diagram with f ([O III])/f (H{beta}) and f ([Ne III])/f (H{beta}) that can be fitted by an active galactic nucleus (AGN). This asymmetrical AGN-like behavior is interpreted as a product of shocks in the direction of the galaxy's extended tail, possibly instigated by a recent galaxy interaction.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

CHANDRA AND XMM-NEWTON STUDIES OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT G292.2-0.5 ASSOCIATED WITH THE PULSAR J1119-6127

We present the first detailed imaging and spatially resolved spectroscopic study of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G292.2-0.5, associated with the high-magnetic field radio pulsar (PSR) J1119-6127, using Chandra and XMM-Newton. The high-resolution X-ray images reveal a partially limb-brightened morphology in the west, with diffuse emission concentrated toward the interior of the remnant unlike the complete shell-like morphology observed at radio wavelengths. The spectra of most of the diffuse emission regions within the remnant are best described by a two-component thermal+non-thermal model. The thermal component is described by a plane-parallel, non-equilibrium ionization plasma model with a temperature kT ranging from 1.3{sup +0.3}{sub -0.2} keV in the western side of the remnant to 2.3{sup +2.9}{sub -0.5} keV in the east, a column density increasing from 1.0{sup +0.1}{sub -0.6} Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 22} cm{sup -2} in the west to 1.8{sup +0.2}{sub -0.4} Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 22} cm{sup -2} in the east, and a low ionization timescale ranging from (5.7{sup +0.8}{sub -0.7}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} cm{sup -3} s in the SNR interior to (3.6{sup +0.7}{sub -0.6}) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} cm{sup -3} s in the western side-suggestive of expansion of a young remnant in a low-density medium. The spatial and spectral differences across the SNR are consistent with the presence of a dark cloud in the eastern part of the SNR, absorbing the soft X-ray emission, as also revealed by the optical image of that region. The spectra from some of the regions also show slightly enhanced metal abundances from Ne, Mg, and Si, hinting at the first evidence for ejecta heated by the reverse shock. Comparing our inferred metal abundances to core-collapse nucleosynthesis models yields, we estimate a high progenitor mass of {approx}30 M{sub Sun} suggesting a Type Ib/c supernova. We confirm the presence of non-thermal X-ray emission from regions close to the pulsar, with the emission characterized by a power-law model with a hard photon index similar to that seen in the compact pulsar wind nebula. We estimate an SNR age range between 4.2 kyr (free expansion phase) and 7.1 kyr (Sedov phase) at an assumed distance of 8.4 kpc, a factor of a few higher than the measured pulsar's age upper limit of 1.9 kyr.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

IONIZED GAS IN THE GALACTIC CENTER: NEW OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATION

We present new observations of the [Ne II] emission from the ionized gas in Sgr A West with improved resolution and sensitivity. About half of the emission comes from gas with kinematics indicating it is orbiting in a plane tipped about 25 Degree-Sign from the Galactic plane. This plane is consistent with that derived previously for the circumnuclear molecular disk and the northern arm and western arc ionized features. However, unlike most previous studies, we conclude that the ionized gas is not moving along the ionized features, but on more nearly circular paths. The observed speeds are close to, but probably somewhat less than expected for orbital motions in the potential of the central black hole and stars and have a small inward component. The spatial distribution of the emission is well fitted by a spiral pattern. We discuss possible physical explanations for the spatial distribution and kinematics of the ionized gas, and conclude that both may be best explained by a one-armed spiral density wave, which also accounts for both the observed low velocities and the inward velocity component. We suggest that a density wave may result from the precession of elliptical orbits in the potential of the black hole and stellar mass distribution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗