524 research outputs found

    Slowly Rotating General Relativistic Superfluid Neutron Stars with Relativistic Entrainment

    Full text link
    Neutron stars that are cold enough should have two or more superfluids/supercondutors in their inner crusts and cores. The implication of superfluidity/superconductivity for equilibrium and dynamical neutron star states is that each individual particle species that forms a condensate must have its own, independent number density current and equation of motion that determines that current. An important consequence of the quasiparticle nature of each condensate is the so-called entrainment effect, i.e. the momentum of a condensate is a linear combination of its own current and those of the other condensates. We present here the first fully relativistic modelling of slowly rotating superfluid neutron stars with entrainment that is accurate to the second-order in the rotation rates. The stars consist of superfluid neutrons, superconducting protons, and a highly degenerate, relativistic gas of electrons. We use a relativistic σ\sigma - ω\omega mean field model for the equation of state of the matter and the entrainment. We determine the effect of a relative rotation between the neutrons and protons on a star's total mass, shape, and Kepler, mass-shedding limit.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures, uses ReVTeX

    The Time-Energy Uncertainty Relation

    Full text link
    The time energy uncertainty relation has been a controversial issue since the advent of quantum theory, with respect to appropriate formalisation, validity and possible meanings. A comprehensive account of the development of this subject up to the 1980s is provided by a combination of the reviews of Jammer (1974), Bauer and Mello (1978), and Busch (1990). More recent reviews are concerned with different specific aspects of the subject. The purpose of this chapter is to show that different types of time energy uncertainty relation can indeed be deduced in specific contexts, but that there is no unique universal relation that could stand on equal footing with the position-momentum uncertainty relation. To this end, we will survey the various formulations of a time energy uncertainty relation, with a brief assessment of their validity, and along the way we will indicate some new developments that emerged since the 1990s.Comment: 33 pages, Latex. This expanded version (prepared for the 2nd edition of "Time in quantum mechanics") contains minor corrections, new examples and pointers to some additional relevant literatur

    Large-Area Silicon Detectors for the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) Solar Isotope Spectrometer (SIS)

    Get PDF
    Extensive measurements were made of the thicknesses and dead-layers of the large-area, highpurity silicon detectors used for the Solar Isotope Spectrometer (SIS), an instrument to be launched on the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft. Tests using accelerated beams of heavy nuclei were also carried out to characterize the completed instrument

    Nuclear Alpha-Particle Condensates

    Full text link
    The α\alpha-particle condensate in nuclei is a novel state described by a product state of α\alpha's, all with their c.o.m. in the lowest 0S orbit. We demonstrate that a typical α\alpha-particle condensate is the Hoyle state (Ex=7.65E_{x}=7.65 MeV, 02+0^+_2 state in 12^{12}C), which plays a crucial role for the synthesis of 12^{12}C in the universe. The influence of antisymmentrization in the Hoyle state on the bosonic character of the α\alpha particle is discussed in detail. It is shown to be weak. The bosonic aspects in the Hoyle state, therefore, are predominant. It is conjectured that α\alpha-particle condensate states also exist in heavier nαn\alpha nuclei, like 16^{16}O, 20^{20}Ne, etc. For instance the 06+0^+_6 state of 16^{16}O at Ex=15.1E_{x}=15.1 MeV is identified from a theoretical analysis as being a strong candidate of a 4α4\alpha condensate. The calculated small width (34 keV) of 06+0^+_6, consistent with data, lends credit to the existence of heavier Hoyle-analogue states. In non-self-conjugated nuclei such as 11^{11}B and 13^{13}C, we discuss candidates for the product states of clusters, composed of α\alpha's, triton's, and neutrons etc. The relationship of α\alpha-particle condensation in finite nuclei to quartetting in symmetric nuclear matter is investigated with the help of an in-medium modified four-nucleon equation. A nonlinear order parameter equation for quartet condensation is derived and solved for α\alpha particle condensation in infinite nuclear matter. The strong qualitative difference with the pairing case is pointed out.Comment: 71 pages, 41 figures, review article, to be published in "Cluster in Nuclei (Lecture Notes in Physics) - Vol.2 -", ed. by C. Beck, (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2011

    Magnetic Field Generation in Stars

    Get PDF
    Enormous progress has been made on observing stellar magnetism in stars from the main sequence through to compact objects. Recent data have thrown into sharper relief the vexed question of the origin of stellar magnetic fields, which remains one of the main unanswered questions in astrophysics. In this chapter we review recent work in this area of research. In particular, we look at the fossil field hypothesis which links magnetism in compact stars to magnetism in main sequence and pre-main sequence stars and we consider why its feasibility has now been questioned particularly in the context of highly magnetic white dwarfs. We also review the fossil versus dynamo debate in the context of neutron stars and the roles played by key physical processes such as buoyancy, helicity, and superfluid turbulence,in the generation and stability of neutron star fields. Independent information on the internal magnetic field of neutron stars will come from future gravitational wave detections. Thus we maybe at the dawn of a new era of exciting discoveries in compact star magnetism driven by the opening of a new, non-electromagnetic observational window. We also review recent advances in the theory and computation of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence as it applies to stellar magnetism and dynamo theory. These advances offer insight into the action of stellar dynamos as well as processes whichcontrol the diffusive magnetic flux transport in stars.Comment: 41 pages, 7 figures. Invited review chapter on on magnetic field generation in stars to appear in Space Science Reviews, Springe
    corecore