46,264 research outputs found
Search for magnetic fields in particle-accelerating colliding-wind binaries
Some colliding-wind massive binaries, called particle-accelerating
colliding-wind binaries (PACWB), exhibit synchrotron radio emission, which is
assumed to be generated by a stellar magnetic field. However, no measurement of
magnetic fields in these stars has ever been performed. We aim at quantifying
the possible stellar magnetic fields present in PACWB to provide constraints
for models. We gathered 21 high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of
9 PACWB available in the ESPaDOnS, Narval and HarpsPol archives. We analysed
these observations with the Least Squares Deconvolution method. We separated
the binary spectral components when possible. No magnetic signature is detected
in any of the 9 PACWB stars and all longitudinal field measurements are
compatible with 0 G. We derived the upper field strength of a possible field
that could have remained hidden in the noise of the data. While the data are
not very constraining for some stars, for several stars we could derive an
upper limit of the polar field strength of the order of 200 G. We can therefore
exclude the presence of strong or moderate stellar magnetic fields in PACWB,
typical of the ones present in magnetic massive stars. Weak magnetic fields
could however be present in these objects. These observational results provide
the first quantitative constraints for future models of PACWB.Comment: Accepted in A&
A binary signature in the non-thermal radio-emitter Cyg OB2 #9
Aims: Non-thermal radio emission associated with massive stars is believed to
arise from a wind-wind collision in a binary system. However, the evidence of
binarity is still lacking in some cases, notably Cyg OB2 #9 Methods: For
several years, we have been monitoring this heavily-reddened star from various
observatories. This campaign allowed us to probe variations both on short and
long timescales and constitutes the first in-depth study of the visible
spectrum of this object. Results: Our observations provide the very first
direct evidence of a companion in Cyg OB2 #9, confirming the theoretical
wind-wind collision scenario. These data suggest a highly eccentric orbit with
a period of a few years, compatible with the 2yr-timescale measured in the
radio range. In addition, the signature of the wind-wind collision is very
likely reflected in the behaviour of some emission lines.Comment: accepted by A&A, 4 p, 3figure
A spectroscopic investigation of the O-type star population in four Cygnus OB associations. II. Determination of the fundamental parameters
Aims. Having established the binary status of nineteen O-type stars located
in four Cygnus OB associations, we now determine their fundamental parameters
to constrain their properties and their evolutionary status. We also
investigate their surface nitrogen abundances, which we compare with other
results from the literature obtained for galactic O-type stars. Methods. Using
optical spectra collected for each object in our sample and some UV data from
the archives, we apply the CMFGEN atmosphere code to determine their main
properties. For the binary systems, we have disentangled the components to
obtain their individual spectra and investigate them as if they were single
stars. Results. We find that the distances of several presumably single O-type
stars seem poorly constrained because their luminosities are not in agreement
with the "standard" luminosities of stars with similar spectral types. The ages
of these O-type stars are all less than 7 Myrs. Therefore, the ages of these
stars agree with those, quoted in the literature, of the four associations,
except for CygOB8 for which the stars seem older than the association itself.
However, we point out that the distance of certain stars is debatable relative
to values found in the literature. The N content of these stars put in
perspective with N contents of several other galactic O-type stars seems to
draw the same five groups as found in the "Hunter" diagram for the O and B-type
stars in the LMC even though their locations are obviously different. We
determine mass-loss rates for several objects from the Halpha line and UV
spectra. Finally, we confirm the "mass discrepancy" especially for O stars with
masses smaller than 30 Msun. .Comment: 11 pages, and 26 pages of Appendix. A&A in pres
Voltage-Controlled Spin Selection in a Magnetic Resonant Tunnelling Diode
We have fabricated all II-VI semiconductor resonant tunneling diodes based on
the (Zn,Mn,Be)Se material system, containing dilute magnetic material in the
quantum well, and studied their current-voltage characteristics. When subjected
to an external magnetic field the resulting spin splitting of the levels in the
quantum well leads to a splitting of the transmission resonance into two
separate peaks. This is interpreted as evidence of tunneling transport through
spin polarized levels, and could be the first step towards a voltage controlled
spin filter.Comment: To be published in Phys. Rev. Let
Quantification and localization of the liquid zone of partially remelted M2 tool steel using X-ray microtomography and scanning electron microscopy
The authors warmly thank Luc Morhain and Marc Wary (Arts et Métiers ParisTech CER Metz) for their technical support.Thixoforming of steels poses challenges due to the high temperatures involved and the lack of understanding of thermomechanical behavior. The volume fractions of the liquid and solid phases in the semi-solid state are the most important parameters for such a form-ing process, as they affect the viscosity and hence the flow behavior of the material. Two-dimensional observations might not always be sufficient, as the size distribution and the connectivity of phases cannot be obtained from associated measurements, which can only be determined by three-dimensional (3-D) investigation. This paper presents the first application of high-energy X-ray microtomography to the microstructure of steel in the semi-solid state. The microstructure of M2 high-speed tool steel was studied in both as-received and heated-and-quenched states. From the reconstructed images, 3-D information could be obtained and was compared with scanning elec-tron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry observations. The volume fraction and the location of liquid phase in the semi-solid state were determined in particular, and the continuous solid skeleton was investigated
Resonant enhancements of high-order harmonic generation
Solving the one-dimensional time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation for simple
model potentials, we investigate resonance-enhanced high-order harmonic
generation, with emphasis on the physical mechanism of the enhancement. By
truncating a long-range potential, we investigate the significance of the
long-range tail, the Rydberg series, and the existence of highly excited states
for the enhancements in question. We conclude that the channel closings typical
of a short-range or zero-range potential are capable of generating essentially
the same effects.Comment: 7 pages revtex, 4 figures (ps files
Effect of the Centrifugal Force on Domain Chaos in Rayleigh-B\'enard convection
Experiments and simulations from a variety of sample sizes indicated that the
centrifugal force significantly affects rotating Rayleigh-B\'enard
convection-patterns. In a large-aspect-ratio sample, we observed a hybrid state
consisting of domain chaos close to the sample center, surrounded by an annulus
of nearly-stationary nearly-radial rolls populated by occasional defects
reminiscent of undulation chaos. Although the Coriolis force is responsible for
domain chaos, by comparing experiment and simulation we show that the
centrifugal force is responsible for the radial rolls. Furthermore, simulations
of the Boussinesq equations for smaller aspect ratios neglecting the
centrifugal force yielded a domain precession-frequency
with as predicted by the amplitude-equation model for domain
chaos, but contradicted by previous experiment. Additionally the simulations
gave a domain size that was larger than in the experiment. When the centrifugal
force was included in the simulation, and the domain size closely agreed
with experiment.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figure
Over-the-Rotor Liner Investigation via the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube
NASA Langley and Glenn Research Centers have collaborated on the usage of acoustic liners mounted very near or directly over the rotor of turbofan aircraft engines. This collaboration began over a decade ago with the investigation of a metallic foam liner. Similar to conventional acoustic liner applications, this liner was designed to absorb sound generated by the rotor-alone and rotor-stator interaction sources within the fan duct. Given its proximity to the rotor tips, the expectation was that the liner would also serve as a pressure release and thereby inhibit the amount of noise generated. Initial acoustic results were promising, but there was concern regarding potential aerodynamic penalties. Nevertheless, there were sufficient positive results to warrant further investigation. To that end, the current report presents results obtained in the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube for 20 acoustic liner candidates for the OTR application. The majority contain grooves at their surface, designed to minimize aerodynamic penalties caused by placing the liner in close proximity to the fan rotor tips. The intent is to assess the acoustic properties of each liner configuration, and in particular to assess the effects of including the grooves on the overall acoustic performance. An additional intent of this paper is to provide documentation regarding recent enhancements to the NASA Langley Normal Incidence Tube
Relativistic and Radiative Corrections to the Mollow Spectrum
The incoherent, inelastic part of the resonance fluorescence spectrum of a
laser-driven atom is known as the Mollow spectrum [B. R. Mollow, Phys. Rev.
188, 1969 (1969)]. Starting from this level of description, we discuss
theoretical foundations of high-precision spectroscopy using the resonance
fluorescence light of strongly laser-driven atoms. Specifically, we evaluate
the leading relativistic and radiative corrections to the Mollow spectrum, up
to the relative orders of (Z alpha)^2 and alpha(Z alpha)^2, respectively, and
Bloch-Siegert shifts as well as stimulated radiative corrections involving
off-resonant virtual states. Complete results are provided for the hydrogen
1S-2P_{1/2} and 1S-2P_{3/2} transitions; these include all relevant correction
terms up to the specified order of approximation and could directly be compared
to experimental data. As an application, the outcome of such experiments would
allow for a sensitive test of the validity of the dressed-state basis as the
natural description of the combined atom-laser system.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure; RevTe
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