67,636 research outputs found
Higher Order Graviton Scattering in M(atrix) Theory
In matrix theory the effective action for graviton-graviton scattering is a
double expansion in the relative velocity and inverse separation. We discuss
the systematics of this expansion and subject matrix theory to a new test. Low
energy supergravity predicts the coefficient of the term, a
two-loop effect, in agreement with explicit matrix model calculation.Comment: 15 pages, 1 epsf figure, LaTeX. Minor change
The Deep Lens Survey Transient Search I : Short Timescale and Astrometric Variability
We report on the methodology and first results from the Deep Lens Survey
transient search. We utilize image subtraction on survey data to yield all
sources of optical variability down to 24th magnitude. Images are analyzed
immediately after acquisition, at the telescope and in near-real time, to allow
for followup in the case of time-critical events. All classes of transients are
posted to the web upon detection. Our observing strategy allows sensitivity to
variability over several decades in timescale. The DLS is the first survey to
classify and report all types of photometric and astrometric variability
detected, including solar system objects, variable stars, supernovae, and short
timescale phenomena. Three unusual optical transient events were detected,
flaring on thousand-second timescales. All three events were seen in the B
passband, suggesting blue color indices for the phenomena. One event (OT
20020115) is determined to be from a flaring Galactic dwarf star of spectral
type dM4. From the remaining two events, we find an overall rate of \eta = 1.4
events deg-2 day-1 on thousand-second timescales, with a 95% confidence limit
of \eta < 4.3. One of these events (OT 20010326) originated from a compact
precursor in the field of galaxy cluster Abell 1836, and its nature is
uncertain. For the second (OT 20030305) we find strong evidence for an extended
extragalactic host. A dearth of such events in the R passband yields an upper
95% confidence limit on short timescale astronomical variability between 19.5 <
R < 23.4 of \eta_R < 5.2. We report also on our ensemble of astrometrically
variable objects, as well as an example of photometric variability with an
undetected precursor.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in ApJ.
Variability data available at http://dls.bell-labs.com/transients.htm
Science Verification Results from PMAS
PMAS, the Potsdam Multi-Aperture Spectrophotometer, is a new integral field
instrument which was commissioned at the Calar Alto 3.5m Telescope in May 2001.
We report on results obtained from a science verification run in October 2001.
We present observations of the low-metallicity blue compact dwarf galaxy
SBS0335-052, the ultra-luminous X-ray Source X-1 in the Holmberg II galaxy, the
quadruple gravitational lens system Q2237+0305 (the "Einstein Cross"), the
Galactic planetary nebula NGC7027, and extragalactic planetary nebulae in M31.
PMAS is now available as a common user instrument at Calar Alto Observatory.Comment: 4 pages, 9 figures (attached in JPEG format), Euro3D Science Workshop
Proceedings, held in Cambridge May 21-23, 2003, to appear in AN (accepted
t-SURFF: Fully Differential Two-Electron Photo-Emission Spectra
The time dependent surface flux (t-SURFF) method is extended to single and
double ionization of two electron systems. Fully differential double emission
spectra by strong pulses at extreme UV and infrared wave length are calculated
using simulation volumes that only accommodate the effective range of the
atomic binding potential and the quiver radius of free electrons in the
external field. For a model system we find pronounced dependence of shake-up
and non-sequential double ionization on phase and duration of the laser pulse.
Extension to fully three-dimensional calculations is discussed
Spectral Formation in X-Ray Pulsar Accretion Columns
We present the first self-consistent model for the dynamics and the radiative
transfer occurring in bright X-ray pulsar accretion columns, with a special
focus on the role of the shock in energizing the emerging X-rays. The pressure
inside the accretion column of a luminous X-ray pulsar is dominated by the
photons, and consequently the equations describing the coupled
radiative-dynamical structure must be solved simultaneously. Spectral formation
in these sources is therefore a complex, nonlinear phenomenon. We obtain the
analytical solution for the Green's function describing the upscattering of
monochromatic radiation injected into the column from the thermal mound located
near the base of the flow. The Green's function is convolved with a Planck
distribution to model the X-ray spectrum resulting from the reprocessing of
blackbody photons produced in the thermal mound. These photons diffuse through
the infalling gas and eventually escape out the walls of the column, forming
the observed X-ray spectrum. We show that the resulting column-integrated,
phase-averaged spectrum has a power-law shape at high energies and a blackbody
shape at low energies, in agreement with the observational data for many X-ray
pulsars.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters. Several typos noticed during
the proof review were correcte
Ionization heating in rare-gas clusters under intense XUV laser pulses
The interaction of intense extreme ultraviolet (XUV) laser pulses
(, \,W/cm) with small rare-gas clusters
(Ar) is studied by quasi-classical molecular dynamics simulations. Our
analysis supports a very general picture of the charging and heating dynamics
in finite samples under short-wavelength radiation that is of relevance for
several applications of free-electron lasers. First, up to a certain photon
flux, ionization proceeds as a series of direct photoemission events producing
a jellium-like cluster potential and a characteristic plateau in the
photoelectron spectrum as observed in [Bostedt {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett.
{\bf 100}, 013401 (2008)]. Second, beyond the onset of photoelectron trapping,
nanoplasma formation leads to evaporative electron emission with a
characteristic thermal tail in the electron spectrum. A detailed analysis of
this transition is presented. Third, in contrast to the behavior in the
infrared or low vacuum ultraviolet range, the nanoplasma energy capture
proceeds via {\it ionization heating}, i.e., inner photoionization of localized
electrons, whereas collisional heating of conduction electrons is negligible up
to high laser intensities. A direct consequence of the latter is a surprising
evolution of the mean energy of emitted electrons as function of laser
intensity.Comment: figure problems resolve
Explaining Jupiter's magnetic field and equatorial jet dynamics
Spacecraft data reveal a very Earth-like Jovian magnetic field. This is
surprising since numerical simulations have shown that the vastly different
interiors of terrestrial and gas planets can strongly affect the internal
dynamo process. Here we present the first numerical dynamo that manages to
match the structure and strength of the observed magnetic field by embracing
the newest models for Jupiter's interior. Simulated dynamo action primarily
occurs in the deep high electrical conductivity region while zonal flows are
dynamically constrained to a strong equatorial jet in the outer envelope of low
conductivity. Our model reproduces the structure and strength of the observed
global magnetic field and predicts that secondary dynamo action associated to
the equatorial jet produces banded magnetic features likely observable by the
Juno mission. Secular variation in our model scales to about 2000 nT per year
and should also be observable during the one year nominal mission duration.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Geophysical Research
Letter
H-T Phase Diagram of Rare-Earth -- Transition Metal Alloy in the Vicinity of the Compensation Point
Anomalous hysteresis loops of ferrimagnetic amorphous alloys in high magnetic
field and in the vicinity of the compensation temperature have so far been
explained by sample inhomogeneities. We obtain H-T magnetic phase diagram for
ferrimagnetic GdFeCo alloy using a two-sublattice model in the paramagnetic
rare-earth ion approximation and taking into account rare-earth (Gd) magnetic
anisotropy. It is shown that if the magnetic anisotropy of the -sublattice
is larger than that of the -sublattice, the tricritical point can be at
higher temperature than the compensation point. The obtained phase diagram
explains the observed anomalous hysteresis loops as a result of high-field
magnetic phase transition, the order of which changes with temperature. It also
implies that in the vicinity of the magnetic compensation point the shape of
magnetic hysteresis loop is strongly temperature dependent.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figure
Cosmic variance of the galaxy cluster weak lensing signal
Intrinsic variations of the projected density profiles of clusters of
galaxies at fixed mass are a source of uncertainty for cluster weak lensing. We
present a semi-analytical model to account for this effect, based on a
combination of variations in halo concentration, ellipticity and orientation,
and the presence of correlated haloes. We calibrate the parameters of our model
at the 10 per cent level to match the empirical cosmic variance of cluster
profiles at M_200m=10^14...10^15 h^-1 M_sol, z=0.25...0.5 in a cosmological
simulation. We show that weak lensing measurements of clusters significantly
underestimate mass uncertainties if intrinsic profile variations are ignored,
and that our model can be used to provide correct mass likelihoods. Effects on
the achievable accuracy of weak lensing cluster mass measurements are
particularly strong for the most massive clusters and deep observations (with
~20 per cent uncertainty from cosmic variance alone at M_200m=10^15 h^-1 M_sol
and z=0.25), but significant also under typical ground-based conditions. We
show that neglecting intrinsic profile variations leads to biases in the
mass-observable relation constrained with weak lensing, both for intrinsic
scatter and overall scale (the latter at the 15 per cent level). These biases
are in excess of the statistical errors of upcoming surveys and can be avoided
if the cosmic variance of cluster profiles is accounted for.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures; submitted to MNRA
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