Magneto-elastic oscillations of neutron stars: exploring different magnetic field configurations

We study magneto-elastic oscillations of highly magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) which have been proposed as an explanation for the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) appearing in the decaying tail of the giant flares of soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). We extend previous studies by investigating various magnetic field configurations, computing the Alfv\'en spectrum in each case and performing magneto-elastic simulations for a selected number of models. By identifying the observed frequencies of 28 Hz (SGR 1900+14) and 30 Hz (SGR 1806-20) with the fundamental Alfv\'en QPOs, we estimate the required surface magnetic field strength. For the magnetic field configurations investigated (dipole-like poloidal, mixed toroidal-poloidal with a dipole-like poloidal component and a toroidal field confined to the region of field lines closing inside the star, and for poloidal fields with an additional quadrupole-like component) the estimated dipole spin-down magnetic fields are between 8x10^14 G and 4x10^15 G, in broad agreement with spin-down estimates for the SGR sources producing giant flares. A number of these models exhibit a rich Alfv\'en continuum revealing new turning points which can produce QPOs. This allows one to explain most of the observed QPO frequencies as associated with magneto-elastic QPOs. In particular, we construct a possible configuration with two turning points in the spectrum which can explain all observed QPOs of SGR 1900+14. Finally, we find that magnetic field configurations which are entirely confined in the crust (if the core is assumed to be a type I superconductor) are not favoured, due to difficulties in explaining the lowest observed QPO frequencies (f<30 Hz).Comment: 21 pages, 16 figures, 6 tables, matched to version accepted by MNRAS with extended comparison/discussion to previous wor

Implementación de un sistema de tutorías académicas a nivel institucional dentro de un modelo de progresión del estudiante

La Universidad Central de Chile en el marco de promover la formación integral, la permanencia y el buen desempeño académico de sus estudiantes, ha desarrollado un modelo de progresión estudiantil. Este modelo pretende apoyar la trayectoria formativa de los estudiantes en base a una serie de estrategia, una de ellas corresponde a tutorías académicas, implementadas en una asignatura con alto porcentaje de reprobación en cada una de las carreras de la universidad, durante el año 2017, buscando disminuir la tasa de deserción producto del fracaso académico. El presente trabajo busca dar a conocer el sistema de tutorías, mostrando el trabajo colaborativo e institucional que se ha desarrollado en torno al mismo. Contiene una sistematización de los procedimientos involucrados, monitoreo del rendimiento y principales apreciaciones obtenidas por los tutorados y tutores, mediante la aplicación de encuestas y datos cuantitativos como son asistencia y notas. Se analizan y destacan las dificultades encontradas en la implementación de esta actividad bajo una mirada de mejora continua, con el objeto de aportar a otras instituciones de educación superior con la experiencia recabada, siendo así un aporte en la implementación de este tipo de tutorías

On the Quasi-Periodic Oscillations of Magnetars

We study torsional Alfv\'en oscillations of magnetars, i.e., neutron stars with a strong magnetic field. We consider the poloidal and toroidal components of the magnetic field and a wide range of equilibrium stellar models. We use a new coordinate system (X,Y), where $X=\sqrt{a_1} \sin \theta$, $Y=\sqrt{a_1}\cos \theta$ and $a_1$ is the radial component of the magnetic field. In this coordinate system, the 1+2-dimensional evolution equation describing the quasi-periodic oscillations, QPOs, see Sotani et al. (2007), is reduced to a 1+1-dimensional equation, where the perturbations propagate only along the Y-axis. We solve the 1+1-dimensional equation for different boundary conditions and open magnetic field lines, i.e., magnetic field lines that reach the surface and there match up with the exterior dipole magnetic field, as well as closed magnetic lines, i.e., magnetic lines that never reach the stellar surface. For the open field lines, we find two families of QPOs frequencies; a family of "lower" QPOs frequencies which is located near the X-axis and a family of "upper" frequencies located near the Y-axis. According to Levin (2007), the fundamental frequencies of these two families can be interpreted as the turning points of a continuous spectrum. We find that the upper frequencies are constant multiples of the lower frequencies with a constant equaling 2n+1. For the closed lines, the corresponding factor is n+1 . By these relations, we can explain both the lower and the higher observed frequencies in SGR 1806-20 and SGR 1900+14.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figure

What Magnetar Seismology can Teach us about the Magnetic Fields

The effect of magnetic fields on the frequencies of toroidal oscillations of neutron stars is derived to lowest order. Interpreting the fine structure in the QPO power spectrum of magnetars following giant flares reported by Strohmayer and Watts (2006) to be "Zeeman splitting" of degenerate toroidal modes, we estimate a crustal magnetic field of order 10^{15} Gauss or more. We suggest that residual m, -m symmetry following such splitting might allow beating of individual frequency components that is slow enough to be observed.Comment: 1 tabl

Magnetar Oscillations I: strongly coupled dynamics of the crust and the core

Quasi-Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) observed during Soft Gamma Repeaters giant flares are commonly interpreted as the torsional oscillations of magnetars. The oscillatory motion is influenced by the strong interaction between the shear modes of the crust and Alfven-like modes in the core. We study the dynamics which arises through this interaction, and present several new results: (1) We show that global {\it edge modes} frequently reside near the edges of the core Alfven continuum. (2) We compute the magnetar's oscillatory motion for realistic axisymmetric magnetic field configurations and core density profiles, but with a simplified model of the elastic crust. We show that one may generically get multiple gaps in the Alfven continuum. One obtains discrete global {\it gap modes} if the crustal frequencies belong to the gaps. (3) We show that field tangling in the core enhances the role of the core discrete Alfven modes and reduces the role of the core Alfven continuum in the overall oscillatory dynamics of the magnetar. (4) We demonstrate that the system displays transient and/or drifting QPOs when parts of the spectrum of the core Alfven modes contain discrete modes which are densely and regularly spaced in frequency. (5) We show that if the neutrons are coupled into the core Alfven motion, then the post-flare crustal motion is strongly damped and has a very weak amplitude. Thus magnetar QPOs give evidence that the proton and neutron components in the core are dynamically decoupled and that at least one of them is a quantum fluid. (6) We show that it is difficult to identify the high-frequency 625 Hz QPO as being due to the physical oscillatory mode of the magnetar, if the latter's fluid core consists of the standard proton-neutron-electron mixture and is magnetised to the same extent as the crust. (Abstract abridged)Comment: 22 pages, 22 figures, submitted to MNRA

An Optically Targeted Search for Gravitational Waves emitted by Core-Collapse Supernovae during the Third Observing Run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo

We present the results from a search for gravitational-wave transients associated with core-collapse supernovae observed optically within 30 Mpc during the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. No gravitational wave associated with a core-collapse supernova has been identified. We then report the detection efficiency for a variety of possible gravitational-wave emissions. For neutrino-driven explosions, the distance at which we reach 50% detection efficiency is up to 8.9 kpc, while more energetic magnetorotationally-driven explosions are detectable at larger distances. The distance reaches for selected models of the black hole formation, and quantum chromodynamics phase transition are also provided. We then constrain the core-collapse supernova engine across a wide frequency range from 50 Hz to 2 kHz. The upper limits on gravitational-wave energy and luminosity emission are at low frequencies down to 10−4M⊙c2 and 5×10−4M⊙c2/s, respectively. The upper limits on the proto-neutron star ellipticity are down to 5 at high frequencies. Finally, by combining the results obtained with the data from the first and second observing runs of LIGO and Virgo, we improve the constraints of the parameter spaces of the extreme emission models. Specifically, the proto-neutron star ellipticities for the long-lasting bar mode model are down to 1 for long emission (1 s) at high frequency

Non-axisymmetric instabilities of neutron star with toroidal magnetic fields

The aim of this paper is to clarify the stabilities of neutron stars with strong toroidal magnetic fields against non-axisymmetric perturbation. The motivation comes from the fact that super magnetized neutron stars of $\sim 10^{15}$G, magnetars, and magnetized proto-neutron stars born after the magnetically-driven supernovae are likely to have such strong toroidal magnetic fields. Long-term, three-dimensional general relativistic magneto-hydrodynamic simulations are performed, preparing isentropic neutron stars with toroidal magnetic fields in equilibrium as initial conditions. To explore the effects of rotations on the stability, simulations are done for both non-rotating and rigidly rotating models. We find the emergence of the Parker and/or Tayler instabilities in both the non-rotating and rotating models. For both non-rotating and rotating models, the Parker instability is the primary instability as predicted by the local linear perturbation analysis. The interchange instability also appears in the rotating models. It is found that rapid rotation is not enough to suppress the Parker instability, and this finding does not agree with the perturbation analysis. The reason for this is that rigidly and rapidly rotating stars are marginally stable, and hence, in the presence of stellar pulsations by which the rotational profile is deformed, unstable regions with negative gradient of angular momentum profile is developed. After the onset of the instabilities, a turbulence is excited. Contrary to the axisymmetric case, the magnetic fields never reach an equilibrium state after the development of the turbulence. This conclusion suggests that three-dimensional simulation is indispensable for exploring the formation of magnetars or prominence activities of magnetars such as giant flares.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, to be published in A&

Analyzing the perceptions of pre-service teachers about the modules integración laboral v and vi during the practicum experience

Tesis (Profesor de Inglés para la Enseñanza Básica y Media, Licenciado en Educación)Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar y entender las percepciones de los estudiantes practicantes de pedagogía en Inglés de la Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello (UNAB) sobre los contenidos teóricos cubiertos en los módulos de Integración Laboral V y VI. Adicionalmente, este estudio también tiene la intención de identificar las percepciones de los practicantes de pedagogía en Inglés respecto al contenido enseñado en los módulos previamente mencionados y determinar si los contenidos enseñados en estos módulos son practicados antes de su implementación en la práctica. Finalmente, este estudio tiene la intención de determinar la percepción de los practicantes de pedagogía en inglés respecto a la reflexión realizada en estos módulos. Con el fin de lograr estos objetivos, dos grupos de enfoque fueron conducidos, la transcripción de estos fue analizada y codificada a través de un análisis temático. Los principales hallazgos de esta investigación fueron que los contenidos eran considerados repetitivos y no contextualizados a la realidad del país y que los practicantes sentían que hay una necesidad de haber tenido más instancias prácticas así también como de ocasiones reflexivas.This study aims to analyse and understand the perceptions of Second Language Teaching Education (SLTE) pre-service teachers from Universidad Nacional Andres Bello (UNAB) about the theoretical contents covered in the modules Integración Laboral V and VI. Additionally, this study also intends to identify the perceptions of SLTE pre-service teachers regarding the content taught in the previously mentioned modules, to determine (whether) the contents taught in these modules are practiced before its implementation in the practicum. Finally, this study also intends to determine the perception of SLTE pre-service teachers regarding the reflection done in these modules. In order to achieve these objectives, two focus groups were conducted, and the transcriptions of these focus groups were analysed and coded through thematic analysis. The main findings of this research were that the content was considered to be repetitive and not contextualized to the country’s reality, and that pre-service teachers felt that there is a need for more practical instances as well as for reflective occasions

Constraints on Pasta Structure of Neutron Stars from Oscillations in Giant Flares

We show that the shear modes in the neutron star crust are quite sensitive to the existence of nonuniform nuclear structures, so-called "pasta". Due to the existence of pasta phase, the frequencies of shear modes are reduced, where the dependence of fundamental frequency is different from that of overtones. Since the torsional shear frequencies depend strongly on the structure of pasta phase, through the observations of stellar oscillations, one can probe the pasta structure in the crust, although that is quite difficult via the other observations. Additionally, considering the effect of pasta phase, we show the possibility to explain the all observed frequencies in the SGR 1806-20 with using only crust torsional shear modes