54 research outputs found
Constraints On The Delayed Transition to Detonation in Type Ia Supernovae
We investigate the possibility of a delayed detonation in a type Ia supernova
under the assumption that the transition to detonation is triggered by
turbulence only. Our discussion is based on the Zeldovich mechanism and
suggests that typical turbulent velocities present during the explosion are not
strong enough to allow this transition to occur. Although we are able to show
that in carbon-rich matter (e.g., C) the possibility of a
deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) is enhanced, even in this case the
turbulent velocities needed are larger than the expected value of on a length-scale of cm. Thus we
conclude that a DDT may not be a common event during a thermonuclear explosion
of a Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in the Ap
The concept of strong and weak virtual reality
We approach the virtual reality phenomenon by studying its relationship to
set theory, and we investigate the case where this is done using the
wellfoundedness property of sets. Our hypothesis is that non-wellfounded sets
(hypersets) give rise to a different quality of virtual reality than do
familiar wellfounded sets. We initially provide an alternative approach to
virtual reality based on Sommerhoff's idea of first and second order
self-awareness; both categories of self-awareness are considered as necessary
conditions for consciousness in terms of higher cognitive functions. We then
introduce a representation of first and second order self-awareness through
sets, and assume that these sets, which we call events, originally form a
collection of wellfounded sets. Strong virtual reality characterizes virtual
reality environments which have the limited capacity to create only events
associated with wellfounded sets. In contrast, the more general concept of weak
virtual reality characterizes collections of virtual reality mediated events
altogether forming an entirety larger than any collection of wellfounded sets.
By giving reference to Aczel's hyperset theory we indicate that this definition
is not empty, because hypersets encompass wellfounded sets already. Moreover,
we argue that weak virtual reality could be realized in human history through
continued progress in computer technology. Finally, we reformulate our
characterization into a more general framework, and use Baltag's Structural
Theory of Sets (STS) to show that within this general hyperset theory
Sommerhoff's first and second order self-awareness as well as both concepts of
virtual reality admit a consistent mathematical representation.Comment: 17 pages; several edits in v
Fluid Dynamics of Relativistic Quantum Dust
The microscopic transport equations for free fields are solved using the
Schwinger function. Thus, for general initial conditions, the evolution of the
energy-momentum tensor is obtained, incorporating the quantum effects exactly.
The result for relativistic fermions differs from classical hydrodynamics,
which is illustrated for Landau and Bjorken type initial conditions in this
model of exploding primordial matter. Free fermions behave like classical dust
concerning hydrodynamic observables. However, quantum effects which are present
in the initial state are preserved.Comment: 5 pages; LaTe
Supernova Ia: a Converging Delayed Detonation Wave
A model of a carbon-oxygen (C--O) presupernova core with an initial mass 1.33
M_\odot, an initial carbon mass fraction 0.27, and with an average mass
growth-rate 5 x 10^{-7} M_\odot/yr due to accretion in a binary system was
evolved from initial central density 10^9 g/cm^3, and temperature 2.05 x 10^8 K
through convective core formation and its subsequent expansion to the carbon
runaway at the center. The only thermonuclear reaction contained in the
equations of evolution and runaway was the carbon burning reaction 12C + 12C
with an energy release corresponding to the full transition of carbon and
oxygen (with the same rate as carbon) into 56Ni. As a parameter we take
\alpha_c - a ratio of a mixing length to the size of the convective zone. In
spite of the crude assumptions, we obtained a pattern of the runaway acceptable
for the supernova theory with the strong dependence of its duration on
\alpha_c. In the variants with large enough values of \alpha_c=4.0 x 10^{-3}
and 3.0 x 10^{-3} the fuel combustion occurred from the very beginning as a
prompt detonation. In the range of 2.0 x 10^{-3} >= \alpha_c >= 3.0 x 10^{-4}
the burning started as a deflagration with excitation of stellar pulsations
with growing amplitude. Eventually, the detonation set in, which was activated
near the surface layers of the presupernova (with m about 1.33 M_\odot) and
penetrated into the star down to the deflagration front. Excitation of model
pulsations and formation of a detonation front are described in detail for the
variant with \alpha_c=1.0 x 10^{-3}.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, to appear in Astronomy Letter
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