3,890 research outputs found
Far-infrared constraints on the contamination by dust-obscured galaxies of high-z dropout searches
The spectral energy distributions (SED) of dusty galaxies at intermediate redshift may look similar to very high-redshift galaxies in the optical/near infrared (NIR) domain. This can lead to the contamination of high-redshift galaxy searches based on broad-band optical/NIR photometry by lower redshift dusty galaxies because both kind of galaxies cannot be distinguished. The contamination rate could be as high as 50%. This work shows how the far-infrared (FIR) domain can help to recognize likely low-z interlopers in an optical/NIR search for high-z galaxies. We analyze the FIR SEDs of two galaxies that are proposed to be very high-redshift (z > 7) dropout candidates based on deep Hawk-I/VLT observations. The FIR SEDs are sampled with PACS/Herschel at 100 and 160 μm, with SPIRE/Herschel at 250, 350 and 500 μm and with LABOCA/APEX at 870 μm. We find that redshifts > 7 would imply extreme FIR SEDs (with dust temperatures >100 K and FIR luminosities >10^(13) L_⊙). At z ~ 2, instead, the SEDs of both sources would be compatible with those of typical ultra luminous infrared galaxies or submillimeter galaxies. Considering all available data for these sources from visible to FIR we re-estimate the redshifts and find z ~ 1.6–2.5. Owing to the strong spectral breaks observed in these galaxies, standard templates from the literature fail to reproduce the visible-to-near-IR part of the SEDs even when additional extinction is included. These sources strongly resemble dust-obscured galaxies selected in Spitzer observations with extreme visible-to-FIR colors, and the galaxy GN10 at z = 4. Galaxies with similar SEDs could contaminate other high-redshift surveys
Interferometric array design: optimizing the locations of the antenna pads
The design of an interferometric array should allow optimal instrumental
response regarding all possible source positions, times of integration and
scientific goals. It should also take into account constraints such as
forbidden regions on the ground due to impracticable topography. The complexity
of the problem requires one to proceed by steps. A possible approach is to
first consider a single observation and a single scientific purpose. A new
algorithm is introduced to solve efficiently this particular problem called the
configuration problem. It is based on the computation of pressure forces
related to the discrepancies between the model (as determined by the scientific
purpose) and the actual distribution of Fourier samples. The flexibility and
rapidity of the method are well adapted to the full array design. A software
named APO that can be used for the design of new generation interferometers
such as ALMA and ATA has been developed.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies
The measurement of equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells, represents a major advance of the art of high-pressure experimentation. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are the primary experimental probes being used. Adiabats in these systems are being measured in order to constrain models of heat flow in these bodies and to detect phase transitions by thermal anomalies. Other studies are directed toward interpreting high pressure reactions in these systems that are suggested by shockwave measurements, and developing methods for reaching high temperatures and high pressures of planetary interest in diamond cells. The overall objective of this project is to determine the properties of the H2-He-H2O-HN3-CH4 system and related small-molecule systems that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets
High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies
The overall goal of this project is to determine properties of the H-He-C-N-O system, as represented by small molecules composed of these elements, that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets. Much of our work now concerns the H2O-NH3 system. This project is the first major effort to measure phase equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are our primary experimental probes. We also are collaborating with the shockwave physics group at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in studies of the equation of state of a synthetic Uranus fluid and molecular composition of this and other H-C-N-O materials under planetary conditions
Application of the techniques for evaluating the acoustic sources of background noise in wind tunnel facilities
Techniques for evaluating acoustic sources of background noise in wind tunnel
Conditional Cash Transfers and Child Health: The Case of Malawi
This paper analyzes the impacts of the Malawi Social Cash Transfer Scheme. The goal of this paper is to help improve the design of cash transfers. First of all, I analyze whether the cash transfer positively affects child health variables despite occurring in a region with poor supply side health institutions. I find significant results for many child level variables, such as frequency of illnesses, but insignificant improvements in anthropometric measurements. Secondly, I examine whether female-headed households invest more in child health than male-headed households. The results show that the impacts of the cash transfer did not depend on the sex of the household head. This result provides some evidence that females do not always have systematically different preferences for expenditure on children than males. The paper uses the imperfect randomization of the cash transfer in combination with difference-in-differences regressions, propensity score matching, and Lee Bounds tests in order to ensure the robustness of the results
New constraints on dust emission and UV attenuation of z=6.5-7.5 galaxies from millimeter observations
We have targeted two recently discovered Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) to
search for dust continuum and [CII] 158 micron line emission. The strongly
lensed z~6.8 LBG A1703-zD1 behind the galaxy cluster Abell 1703, and the
spectroscopically confirmed z=7.508 LBG z8-GND-5296 in the GOODS-N field have
been observed with the Plateau de Bure interferometer (PdBI) at 1.2mm. These
observations have been combined with those of three z>6.5 Lya emitters (named
HCM6A, Himiko, and IOK-1), for which deep measurements were recently obtained
with the PdBI and ALMA. [CII] is undetected in both galaxies, providing a deep
upper limit for Abell1703-zD1, comparable to recent ALMA non-detections. Dust
continuum emission from Abell1703-zD1 and z8-GND-5296 is not detected with an
rms of 0.12 and 0.16 mJy/beam. From these non-detections we derive upper limits
on their IR luminosity and star formation rate, dust mass, and UV attenuation.
Thanks to strong gravitational lensing the limit for Abell1703-zD1 is probing
the sub-LIRG regime ( Lsun) and very low dust
masses ( Msun). We find that all five galaxies are
compatible with the Calzetti IRX- relation, their UV attenuation is
compatible with several indirect estimates from other methods (the UV slope,
extrapolation of the attenuation measured from the IR/UV ratio at lower
redshift, and SED fits), and the dust-to-stellar mass ratio is not incompatible
with that of galaxies from z=0 to 3. For their stellar mass the high-z galaxies
studied here have an attenuation below the one expected from the mean relation
of low redshift (z<1.5) galaxies. More and deeper (sub)-mm data are clearly
needed to directly determine the UV attenuation and dust content of the
dominant population of high-z star-forming galaxies and to establish more
firmly their dependence on stellar mass, redshift, and other properties.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures. Minor revisions. Accepted for publication in A&
Ionic mobilities in selected fused salt systems
Transport numbers were determined in the pure fused salts, LiNO3, NaNO3, KNO3, and AgNO3 by measuring the volume changes of the material in the electrode compartments which took place during electrolysis of the melt. Transport numbers in the two binary fused salt systems AgNO3-NaNO3 and AgNO3- KNO3 were determined by measuring the volume changes accompanying electrolysis and the concentration changes accompanying electrolysis
EROs found behind lensing clusters: II.Empirical properties, classification, and SED modelling based on multi-wavelength observations
We study the properties and nature of extremely red galaxies (ERO, R-K>5.6)
found behind two lensing clusters and compare them with other known galaxy
populations. New HST/ACS observations, Spitzer IRAC and MIPS, and Chandra/ACIS
observations of the two lensing clusters Abell 1835 and AC114 contemplate our
earlier optical and near-IR observations and have been used to study extremely
red objects (EROs) in these deep fields. We have found 6 and 9 EROs in Abell
1835 and AC114. Several (7) of these objects are undetected up to the I and/or
z band, and are hence ``optical'' drop-out sources. The photometric redshifts
of most of our sources (80%) are z~0.7-1.5. According to simple colour-colour
diagrams the majority of our objects would be classified as hosting old stellar
populations. However, there are clear signs of dusty starbursts for several
among them. These objects correspond to the most extreme ones in R-K colour. We
estimate a surface density of (0.97+-0.31) arcmin-2 for EROs with (R-K>5.6) at
K<20.5. Among our 15 EROs 6 (40 %) also classify as distant red galaxies
(DRGs). 11 of 13 EROs with available IRAC photometry also fulfil the selection
criteria for IRAC selected EROs (IEROs) of Yan et al. (2004). SED modelling
shows that ~ 36 % of the IEROs in our sample are luminous or ultra-luminous
infrared galaxies ((U)LIRG). Some very red DRGs are found to be very dusty
starbursts, even (U)LIRGs, as also supported by their mid-IR photometry. No
indication for AGNs is found, although faint activity cannot be excluded for
all objects. From mid-IR and X-ray data 5 objects are clearly classified as
starbursts. The derived properties are quite similar to those of DRGs and
IEROs, except for 5 extreme objects in terms of colours, for which a very high
extinction (Av>3) is found.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&
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