25,147 research outputs found
Some CoRoT highlights - A grip on stellar physics and beyond
About 2 years ago, back in 2009, the first CoRoT Symposium was the occasion
to present and discuss unprecedented data revealing the behaviour of stars at
the micromagnitude level. Since then, the observations have been going on, the
target sample has enriched and the work of analysis of these data keeps
producing first rank results.
These analyses are providing the material to address open questions of
stellar structure and evolution and to test the so many physical processes at
work in stars. Based on this material, an increasing number of interpretation
studies is being published, addressing various key aspects: the extension of
mixed cores, the structure of near surface convective zones, magnetic activity,
mass loss, ... Definitive conclusions will require cross-comparison of results
on a larger ground (still being built), but it is already possible at the time
of this Second CoRoT Symposium, to show how the various existing results take
place in a general framework and contribute to complete our initial scientific
objectives. A few results already reveal the potential interest in considering
stars and planets globally, as it is stressed in several talks at this
symposium. It is also appealing to consider the fast progress in the domain of
Red Giants and see how they illustrate the promising potential of space
photometry beyond the field of stellar physics, in connex fields like Galactic
dynamics and evolution.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures, to appear in Proceedings of the Second CoRoT
Symposium, held in Marseille, June 14-17th 201
Multi-site observations of Delta Scuti stars 7 Aql and 8 Aql (a new Delta Scuti variable): The twelfth STEPHI campaign in 2003
We present an analysis of the pulsation behaviour of the Delta Scuti stars 7
Aql (HD 174532) and 8 Aql (HD 174589) -- a new variable star -- observed in the
framework of STEPHI XII campaign during 2003 June--July. 183 hours of high
precision photometry were acquired by using four-channel photometers at three
sites on three continents during 21 days. The light curves and amplitude
spectra were obtained following a classical scheme of multi-channel photometry.
Observations in different filters were also obtained and analyzed. Six and
three frequencies have been unambiguously detected above a 99% confidence level
in the range 0.090 mHz--0.300 mHz and 0.100 mHz-- 0.145 mHz in 7 Aql and 8 Aql
respectively. A comparison of observed and theoretical frequencies shows that 7
Aql and 8 Aql may oscillate with p modes of low radial orders, typical among
Delta Scuti stars. In terms of radial oscillations the range of 8 Aql goes from
n=1 to n=3 while for 7 Aql the range spans from n=4 to n=7. Non-radial
oscillations have to be present in both stars as well. The expected range of
excited modes according to a non adiabatic analysis goes from n=1 to n=6 in
both stars.Comment: 8 pages, 7 fugures, 5 tables, accepted for publication in
Astronomical Journa
NiO Exchange Bias Layers Grown by Direct Ion Beam Sputtering of a Nickel Oxide Target
A new process for fabricating NiO exchange bias layers has been developed.
The process involves the direct ion beam sputtering (IBS) of a NiO target. The
process is simpler than other deposition techniques for producing NiO buffer
layers, and facilitates the deposition of an entire spin-valve layered
structure using IBS without breaking vacuum. The layer thickness and
temperature dependence of the exchange field for NiO/NiFe films produced using
IBS are presented and are similar to those reported for similar films deposited
using reactive magnetron sputtering. The magnetic properties of highly textured
exchange couples deposited on single crystal substrates are compared to those
of simultaneously deposited polycrystalline films, and both show comparable
exchange fields. These results are compared to current theories describing the
exchange coupling at the NiO/NiFe interface.Comment: 9 pages, Latex 2.09, 3 postscript figures. You can also this
manuscript at http://www.wsrcc.com/alison/fixed-nio/manuscript.html To be
published in _IEEE Trans. Magn._, Nov. 199
Pulmonary function evaluation during and following Skylab space flights
Previous experience during the Apollo postflight exercise testing indicated no major changes in pulmonary function. Although pulmonary function has been studied in detail following exposure to hypoxic and hyperoxic environments, few studies have dealt with normoxic environments at reduced total pressure as encountered during the Skylab missions. Forced vital capacity was measured during the preflight and postflight periods of the Skylab 2 mission. Initial in-flight measurements of vital capacity were obtained during the last two weeks of the second manned mission (Skylab 3). Comprehensive pulmonary function screening was accomplished during the Skylab 4 mission. The primary measurements made during Skylab 4 testing included residual volume determination, closing volume, vital capacity, and forced vital capacity and its derivatives. In addition, comprehensive in-flight vital capacity measurements were made during the Skylab 4 mission. Vital capacity was decreased slightly during flight in all Skylab 4 crewmen. No major preflight to postflight changes were observed in the other parameters
Evidence of amplitude modulation due to Resonant Mode Coupling in the delta Scuti star KIC5892969
A study of the star KIC5892969 observed by the Kepler satellite is presented.
Its three highest amplitude modes present a strong amplitude modulation. The
aim of this work is to investigate amplitude variations in this star and their
possible cause. Using the 4 years-long observations available, we obtained the
frequency content of the full light curve. Then, we studied the amplitude and
phase variations with time using shorter time stamps. The results obtained are
compared with the predicted ones for resonant mode coupling of an unstable mode
with lower frequency stable modes. Our conclusion is that resonant mode
coupling is consistent as an amplitude limitation mechanism in several modes of
KIC5892969 and we discuss to which extent it might play an important role for
other delta Scuti stars
Inert states of spin-S systems
We present a simple but efficient geometrical method for determining the
inert states of spin-S systems. It can be used if the system is described by a
spin vector of a spin-S particle and its energy is invariant in spin rotations
and phase changes. Our method is applicable to an arbitrary S and it is based
on the representation of a pure spin state of a spin-S particle in terms of 2S
points on the surface of a sphere. We use this method to find candidates for
some of the ground states of spinor Bose-Einstein condensates.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, references added, typos correcte
Advancing Economic Research on the Free and Open Source Software Mode of Production
Early contributions to the academic literature on free/libre and open source software (F/LOSS) movements have been directed primarily at identifying the motivations that account for the sustained and often intensive involvement of many people in this non-contractual and unremunerated productive activity. This issue has been particularly prominent in economists’ contributions to the literature, and it reflects a view that widespread voluntary participation in the creation of economically valuable goods that is to be distributed without charge constitutes a significant behavioral anomaly. Undoubtedly, the motivations of F/LOSS developers deserve to be studied more intensively, but not because their behaviors are unique, or historically unprecedented. In this essay we argue that other aspects of the “open source” phenomenon are just as intriguing, if not more so, and possibly are also more consequential topics for economic analysis. We describe the re-focusing and re-direction of empirical and theoretical research in an integrated international project (based at Stanford University/SIEPR) that aims at better understanding a set of less widely discussed topics: the modes of organization, governance and performance of F/LOSS development -- viewed as a collective distributed mode of production.. We discuss of the significance of tackling those questions in order to assess the potentialities of the “open source way of working” as a paradigm for a broader class of knowledge and information- goods production, and conclude with proposals for the trajectory of future research along that line.
HD 41641: A classical Sct-type pulsator with chemical signatures of an Ap star
Among the known groups of pulsating stars, Sct stars are one of the
least understood. Theoretical models do not predict the oscillation frequencies
that observations reveal. Complete asteroseismic studies are necessary to
improve these models and better understand the internal structure of these
targets. We study the Sct star HD 41641 with the ultimate goal of
understanding its oscillation pattern. The target was simultaneously observed
by the CoRoT space telescope and the HARPS high-resolution spectrograph. The
photometric data set was analyzed with the software package PERIOD04, while
FAMIAS was used to analyze the line profile variations. The method of spectrum
synthesis was used for spectroscopically determining the fundamental
atmospheric parameters and individual chemical abundances. A total of 90
different frequencies was identified and analyzed. An unambiguous
identification of the azimuthal order of the surface geometry could only be
provided for the dominant p-mode, which was found to be a nonradial prograde
mode with m = +1. Using and , we estimated the mass,
radius, and evolutionary stage of HD 41641. We find HD 41641 to be a moderately
rotating, slightly evolved Sct star with subsolar overall atmospheric
metal content and unexpected chemical peculiarities. HD 41641 is a pure
Sct pulsator with p-mode frequencies in the range from 10 d to
20 d. This pulsating star presents chemical signatures of an Ap star and
rotational modulation due to surface inhomogeneities, which we consider
indirect evidence of the presence of a magnetic field.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&
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