427 research outputs found
Predicted multiply-imaged X-ray AGNs in the XXL survey
We estimate the incidence of multiply-imaged AGNs among the optical
counterparts of X-ray selected point-like sources in the XXL field. We also
derive the expected statistical properties of this sample, such as the redshift
distribution of the lensed sources and of the deflectors that lead to the
formation of multiple images, modelling the deflectors using both spherical
(SIS) and ellipsoidal (SIE) singular isothermal mass distributions. We further
assume that the XXL survey sample has the same overall properties as the
smaller XMM-COSMOS sample restricted to the same flux limits and taking into
account the detection probability of the XXL survey. Among the X-ray sources
with a flux in the [0.5-2] keV band larger than 3.0x10 erg cm
s and with optical counterparts brighter than an r-band magnitude of 25,
we expect ~20 multiply-imaged sources. Out of these, ~16 should be detected if
the search is made among the seeing-limited images of the X-ray AGN optical
counterparts and only one of them should be composed of more than two lensed
images. Finally, we study the impact of the cosmological model on the expected
fraction of lensed sources.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRA
Search for gravitational lens candidates in the XMM-LSS/CFHTLS common field
Our aim was to identify gravitational lens candidates among some 5500 optical
counterparts of the X-ray point-like sources in the medium-deep ~11 sq. deg.
XMM-LSS survey. We have visually inspected the optical counterparts of each
QSOs/AGN using CFHTLS T006 images. We have selected compact pairs and groups of
sources which could be multiply imaged QSO/AGN. We have measured the colors and
characterized the morphological types of the selected sources using the
multiple PSF fitting technique. We found three good gravitational lens
candidates: J021511.4-034306, J022234.3-031616 and J022607.0-040301 which
consist of pairs of point-like sources having similar colors. On the basis of a
color-color diagram and X-ray properties we could verify that all these sources
are good QSO/AGN candidates rather than stars. Additional secondary
gravitational lens candidates are also reported.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, Accepted for publication in MNRA
A multi-photon Stokes-parameter invariant for entangled states
We consider the Minkowskian norm of the n-photon Stokes tensor, a scalar
invariant under the group realized by the transformations of stochastic local
quantum operations and classical communications (SLOCC). This invariant is
offered as a candidate entanglement measure for n-qubit states and discussed in
relation to measures of quantum state entanglement for certain important
classes of two-qubit and three-qubit systems. This invariant can be directly
estimated via a quantum network, obviating the need to perform laborious
quantum state tomography. We also show that this invariant directly captures
the extent of entanglement purification due to SLOCC filters.Comment: 9 pages, 0 figures, Accepted for publication in Physical Review
DrosoPhyla: genomic resources for drosophilid phylogeny and systematics
The vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster is a pivotal model for invertebrate development, genetics, physiology, neuroscience, and disease. The whole family Drosophilidae, which contains over 4000 species, offers a plethora of cases for comparative and evolutionary studies. Despite a long history of phylogenetic inference, many relationships remain unresolved among the groups and genera in the Drosophilidae. To clarify these relationships, we first developed a set of new genomic markers and assembled a multilocus data set of 17 genes from 704 species of Drosophilidae. We then inferred well-supported group and species trees for this family. Additionally, we were able to determine the phylogenetic position of some previously unplaced species. These results establish a new framework for investigating the evolution of traits in fruit flies, as well as valuable resources for systematics
Stokes Parameters as a Minkowskian Four-vector
It is noted that the Jones-matrix formalism for polarization optics is a
six-parameter two-by-two representation of the Lorentz group. It is shown that
the four independent Stokes parameters form a Minkowskian four-vector, just
like the energy-momentum four-vector in special relativity. The optical filters
are represented by four-by-four Lorentz-transformation matrices. This
four-by-four formalism can deal with partial coherence described by the Stokes
parameters. A four-by-four matrix formulation is given for decoherence effects
on the Stokes parameters, and a possible experiment is proposed. It is shown
also that this Lorentz-group formalism leads to optical filters with a symmetry
property corresponding to that of two-dimensional Euclidean transformations.Comment: RevTeX, 22 pages, no figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
I. Flux and color variations of the quadruply imaged quasar HE 0435-1223
aims: We present VRi photometric observations of the quadruply imaged quasar
HE 0435-1223, carried out with the Danish 1.54m telescope at the La Silla
Observatory. Our aim was to monitor and study the magnitudes and colors of each
lensed component as a function of time. methods: We monitored the object during
two seasons (2008 and 2009) in the VRi spectral bands, and reduced the data
with two independent techniques: difference imaging and PSF (Point Spread
Function) fitting.results: Between these two seasons, our results show an
evident decrease in flux by ~0.2-0.4 magnitudes of the four lensed components
in the three filters. We also found a significant increase (~0.05-0.015) in
their V-R and R-i color indices. conclusions: These flux and color variations
are very likely caused by intrinsic variations of the quasar between the
observed epochs. Microlensing effects probably also affect the brightest "A"
lensed component.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure
The Transiting System GJ1214: High-Precision Defocused Transit Observations and a Search for Evidence of Transit Timing Variation
Aims: We present 11 high-precision photometric transit observations of the
transiting super-Earth planet GJ1214b. Combining these data with observations
from other authors, we investigate the ephemeris for possible signs of transit
timing variations (TTVs) using a Bayesian approach.
Methods: The observations were obtained using telescope-defocusing
techniques, and achieve a high precision with random errors in the photometry
as low as 1mmag per point. To investigate the possibility of TTVs in the light
curve, we calculate the overall probability of a TTV signal using Bayesian
methods.
Results: The observations are used to determine the photometric parameters
and the physical properties of the GJ1214 system. Our results are in good
agreement with published values. Individual times of mid-transit are measured
with uncertainties as low as 10s, allowing us to reduce the uncertainty in the
orbital period by a factor of two.
Conclusions: A Bayesian analysis reveals that it is highly improbable that
the observed transit times is explained by TTV, when compared with the simpler
alternative of a linear ephemeris.Comment: Submitted to A&
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