Crossover of skyrmion and helical modulations in noncentrosymmetric ferromagnets

The coupling between angular (twisting) and longitudinal modulations arising near the ordering temperature of noncentrosymmetric ferromagnets strongly influences the structure of skyrmion states and their evolution in an applied magnetic field. In the precursor states of cubic helimagnets, a continuous transformation of skyrmion lattices into the saturated state is replaced by the first-order processes accompanied by the formation of multidomain states. Recently the effects imposed by dominant longitudinal modulations have been reported in bulk MnSi and FeGe. Similar phenomena can be observed in the precursor regions of cubic helimagnet epilayers and in easy-plane chiral ferromagnets (e.g. in the hexagonal helimagnet CrNb3S6)

Probability of radiation of twisted photons by classical currents

The general formula for the probability of radiation of a twisted photon by a classical current is derived. The general theory of generation of twisted photons by undulators is developed. It is proved that the probability to record a twisted photon produced by a classical current is equal to the average number of twisted photons in a given state. The general formula for the projection of the total angular momentum of twisted photons with given the energy, the longitudinal projection of momentum, and the helicity is obtained. The symmetry property of the average number of twisted photons produced by a charged particle moving along a planar trajectory is found. The explicit formulas for the average number of twisted photons generated by undulators both in the dipole and wiggler regimes are obtained. It is established that, for the forward radiation of an ideal right-handed helical undulator, the harmonic number $n$ of the twisted photon coincides with its projection of the total angular momentum $m$. As for the ideal left-handed helical undulator, we obtain that $m=-n$. It is found that the forward radiation of twisted photons by a planar undulator obeys the selection rule that $n+m$ is an even number. It turns out that the average number of twisted photons produced by the undulator and detected off the undulator axis is a periodic function of $m$ in a certain spectral band of the quantum numbers $m$.Comment: 36 pp; some misprints corrected; formulas (48)-(51) change

Properties of an ultrarelativistic charged particle radiation in a constant homogeneous crossed electromagnetic field

The properties of radiation created by a classical ultrarelativistic scalar charged particle in a constant homogeneous crossed electromagnetic field are described both analytically and numerically with radiation reaction taken into account in the form of the Landau-Lifshitz equation. The total radiation naturally falls into two parts: the radiation formed at the entrance point of a particle into the crossed field (the synchrotron entrance radiation), and the radiation coming from the late-time asymptotics of a particle motion (the de-excited radiation). The synchrotron entrance radiation resembles, although does not coincide with, the ultrarelativistic limit of the synchrotron radiation: its distribution over energies and angles possesses almost the same properties. The de-excited radiation is soft, not concentrated in the plane of motion of a charged particle, and almost completely circularly polarized. The photon energy delivering the maximum to its spectral angular distribution decreases with increasing the initial energy of a charged particle, while the maximum value of this distribution remains the same at the fixed observation angle. The ultraviolet and infrared asymptotics of the total radiation are also described.Comment: 14 pp, 3 fig

Spintronics via non-axisymmetric chiral skyrmions

Micromagnetic calculations demonstrate a peculiar evolution of non-axisymmetric skyrmions driven by an applied magnetic field in confined helimagnets with longitudinal modulations. We argue that these specific solitonic states can be employed in nanoelectronic devices as an effective alternative to the common axisymmetric skyrmions which occur in magnetically saturated states

A Chandra X-ray Observatory Study of PSR J1740--5340 and Candidate Millisecond Pulsars in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

We present a deep Chandra X-ray Observatory study of the peculiar binary radio millisecond pulsar PSR J1740--5340 and candidate millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the globular cluster NGC 6397. The X-rays from PSR J1740--5340 appear to be non-thermal and exhibit variability at the binary period. These properties suggest the presence of a relativistic intrabinary shock formed due to interaction of a relativistic rotation-powered pulsar wind and outflow from the unusual "red-straggler/sub-subgiant" companion. We find the X-ray source U18 to show similar X-ray and optical properties to those of PSR J1740--5340, making it a strong MSP candidate. It exhibits variability on timescales from hours to years, also consistent with an intrabinary shock origin of its X-ray emission. The unprecedented depth of the X-ray data allows us to conduct a complete census of MSPs in NGC 6397. Based on the properties of the present sample of X-ray--detected MSPs in the Galaxy we find that NGC 6397 probably hosts no more than 6 MSPs.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables; accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Chandra X-ray Observations of 12 Millisecond Pulsars in the Globular Cluster M28

We present a Chandra X-ray Observatory investigation of the millisecond pulsars (MSPs) in the globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626). In what is one of the deepest X-ray observations of a globular cluster, we firmly detect seven and possibly detect two of the twelve known M28 pulsars. With the exception of PSRs B1821-24 and J1824-2452H, the detected pulsars have relatively soft spectra, with X-ray luminosities 10^30-31 ergs s^-1 (0.3-8 keV),similar to most "recycled" pulsars in 47 Tucanae and the field of the Galaxy, implying thermal emission from the pulsar magnetic polar caps. We present the most detailed X-ray spectrum to date of the energetic PSR B1821-24. It is well described by a purely non-thermal spectrum with spectral photon index 1.23 and luminosity 1.4x10^33Theta(D/5.5 kpc)^2 ergs s^-1 (0.3-8 keV), where Theta is the fraction of the sky covered by the X-ray emission beam(s). We find no evidence for the previously reported line emission feature around 3.3 keV, most likely as a consequence of improvements in instrument calibration. The X-ray spectrum and pulse profile of PSR B1821--24 suggest that the bulk of unpulsed emission from this pulsar is not of thermal origin, and is likely due to low-level non-thermal magnetospheric radiation, an unresolved pulsar wind nebula, and/or small-angle scattering of the pulsed X-rays by interstellar dust grains. The peculiar binary PSR J1824-2452H shows a relatively hard X-ray spectrum and possible variability at the binary period, indicative of an intrabinary shock formed by interaction between the relativistic pulsar wind and matter from its non-degenerate companion star.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astophysical Journa

The Light Curve and Internal Magnetic Field of the Mode-Switching Pulsar PSR B0943+10

A number of radio pulsars exhibit intriguing mode-switching behavior. Recent observations of PSR B0943+10 revealed correlated radio and X-ray mode switches, providing a new avenue for understanding this class of objects. The large X-ray pulse fraction observed during the radio quiet phase (Q mode) was previously interpreted as a result of changing obscuration of X-rays by dense magnetosphere plasma. We show that the large X-ray pulse fraction can be explained by including the beaming effect of a magnetic atmosphere, while remaining consistent with the dipole field geometry constrained by radio observations. We also explore a more extreme magnetic field configuration, where a magnetic dipole displaced from the center of the star produces two magnetic polar caps of different sizes and magnetic field strengths. These models are currently consistent with data in radio and X-rays and can be tested or constrained by future X-ray observations.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, submitted to ApJ

On the nature of the solar-wind-Mars interaction

Plasma measurements near Mars on the U.S.S.R. Mars-2, -3, and -5 spacecraft are considered. The data are compared with simultaneous magnetic measurements. Strong evidence is obtained in favor of a direct interaction and mass exchange between the solar wind plasma and the gaseous envelope of Mars