112 research outputs found
Semiclassical Strings in AdS_5 x S^5 and Automorphic Functions
Using AdS/CFT we derive from the folded spinning string ordinary differential
equations for the anomalous dimension of the dual N=4 SYM twist-two operators
at strong coupling. We show that for large spin the asymptotic solutions have
the Gribov-Lipatov recirocity property. To obtain this result we use a hidden
modular invariance of the energy-spin relation of the folded spinning string.
Further we identify the Moch-Vermaseren-Vogt (MVV) relations, which were first
recognized in plain QCD calculations, as the recurrence relations of the
asymptotic series ansatz.Comment: 4 page
Signs of late infall and possible planet formation around DR Tau using VLT/SPHERE and LBTI/LMIRCam
Context. Protoplanetary disks around young stars often contain substructures like rings, gaps, and spirals that could be caused by interactions between the disk and forming planets. Aims: We aim to study the young (1-3 Myr) star DR Tau in the near-infrared and characterize its disk, which was previously resolved through submillimeter interferometry with ALMA, and to search for possible substellar companions embedded into it. Methods: We observed DR Tau with VLT/SPHERE both in polarized light (H broad band) and total intensity (in Y, J, H, and K spectral bands). We also performed L' band observations with LBTI/LMIRCam on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). We applied differential imaging techniques to analyze both the polarized data, using dual beam polarization imaging, and the total intensity data, using angular and spectral differential imaging. Results: We found two previously undetected spirals extending north-east and south of the star, respectively. We further detected an arc-like structure north of the star. Finally a bright, compact and elongated structure was detected at a separation of 303 ± 10 mas and a position angle 21.2 ± 3.7 degrees, just at the root of the north-east spiral arm. Since this feature is visible both in polarized light and total intensity and has a blue spectrum, itis likely caused by stellar light scattered by dust. Conclusions: The two spiral arms are at different separations from the star, have very different pitch angles, and are separated by an apparent discontinuity, suggesting they might have a different origin. The very open southern spiral arm might be caused by infalling material from late encounters with cloudlets into the formation environment of the star itself. The compact feature could be caused by interaction with a planet in formation still embedded in its dust envelope and it could be responsible for launching the north-east spiral. We estimate a mass of the putative embedded object of the order of few MJup. Reduced images are also available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/658/A63 Based on observations made with European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescopes at Paranal Observatory in Chile, under programs ID 0102.C-0453(A) and 1104.C-0416(A). It also makes partial use of LBT/LMIRCam observations under program ID 74
Stirring in massive, young debris discs from spatially resolved Herschel images
A significant fraction of main-sequence stars are encircled by dusty debris
discs, where the short-lived dust particles are replenished through collisions
between planetesimals. Most destructive collisions occur when the orbits of
smaller bodies are dynamically stirred up, either by the gravitational effect
of locally formed Pluto-sized planetesimals (self-stirring scenario), or via
secular perturbation caused by an inner giant planet (planetary stirring). The
relative importance of these scenarios in debris systems is unknown. Here we
present new Herschel Space Observatory imagery of 11 discs selected from the
most massive and extended known debris systems. All discs were found to be
extended at far-infrared wavelengths, five of them being resolved for the first
time. We evaluated the feasibility of the self-stirring scenario by comparing
the measured disc sizes with the predictions of the model calculated for the
ages of our targets. We concluded that the self-stirring explanation works for
seven discs. However, in four cases, the predicted pace of outward propagation
of the stirring front, assuming reasonable initial disc masses, was far too low
to explain the radial extent of the cold dust. Therefore, for HD 9672, HD
16743, HD 21997, and HD 95086, another explanation is needed. We performed a
similar analysis for {\ss} Pic and HR 8799, reaching the same conclusion. We
argue that planetary stirring is a promising possibility to explain the disk
properties in these systems. In HR 8799 and HD 95086 we may already know the
potential perturber, since their known outer giant planets could be responsible
for the stirring process. Our study demonstrates that among the largest and
most massive debris discs self-stirring may not be the only active scenario,
and potentially planetary stirring is responsible for destructive collisions
and debris dust production in a number of systems.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 22 pages, 7 figures, 6 tables
(abstract abridged due to arXiv requirements
YETI observations of the young transiting planet candidate CVSO 30 b
CVSO 30 is a unique young low-mass system, because, for the first time, a
close-in transiting and a wide directly imaged planet candidates are found
around a common host star. The inner companion, CVSO 30 b, is the first
possible young transiting planet orbiting a previously known weak-lined T-Tauri
star. With five telescopes of the 'Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative' (YETI)
located in Asia, Europe and South America we monitored CVSO 30 over three years
in a total of 144 nights and detected 33 fading events. In two more seasons we
carried out follow-up observations with three telescopes. We can confirm that
there is a change in the shape of the fading event between different
observations and that the fading event even disappears and reappears. A total
of 38 fading event light curves were simultaneously modelled. We derived the
planetary, stellar, and geometrical properties of the system and found them
slightly smaller but in agreement with the values from the discovery paper. The
period of the fading event was found to be 1.36 s shorter and 100 times more
precise than the previous published value. If CVSO 30 b would be a giant planet
on a precessing orbit, which we cannot confirm, yet, the precession period may
be shorter than previously thought. But if confirmed as a planet it would be
the youngest transiting planet ever detected and will provide important
constraints on planet formation and migration time-scales.Comment: 14 pages (20 with appendix), 7 figures (16 with appendix), 6 tables
(7 with appendix
Quantum kink and its excitations
We show how detailed properties of a kink in quantum field theory can be
extracted from field correlation functions. This makes it possible to study
quantum kinks in a fully non-perturbative way using Monte Carlo simulations. We
demonstrate this by calculating the kink mass as well as the spectrum and
approximate wave functions of its excitations. This way of measuring the kink
mass has clear advantages over the existing approaches based on creation and
annihilation operators or the kink free energy. Our methods are straightforward
to generalise to more realistic theories and other defect types.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, v2: typos corrected, references adde
Debris Disks: Probing Planet Formation
Debris disks are the dust disks found around ~20% of nearby main sequence
stars in far-IR surveys. They can be considered as descendants of
protoplanetary disks or components of planetary systems, providing valuable
information on circumstellar disk evolution and the outcome of planet
formation. The debris disk population can be explained by the steady
collisional erosion of planetesimal belts; population models constrain where
(10-100au) and in what quantity (>1Mearth) planetesimals (>10km in size)
typically form in protoplanetary disks. Gas is now seen long into the debris
disk phase. Some of this is secondary implying planetesimals have a Solar
System comet-like composition, but some systems may retain primordial gas.
Ongoing planet formation processes are invoked for some debris disks, such as
the continued growth of dwarf planets in an unstirred disk, or the growth of
terrestrial planets through giant impacts. Planets imprint structure on debris
disks in many ways; images of gaps, clumps, warps, eccentricities and other
disk asymmetries, are readily explained by planets at >>5au. Hot dust in the
region planets are commonly found (<5au) is seen for a growing number of stars.
This dust usually originates in an outer belt (e.g., from exocomets), although
an asteroid belt or recent collision is sometimes inferred.Comment: Invited review, accepted for publication in the 'Handbook of
Exoplanets', eds. H.J. Deeg and J.A. Belmonte, Springer (2018
Water in the terrestrial planet-forming zone of the PDS 70 disk
Terrestrial and sub-Neptune planets are expected to form in the inner
(AU) regions of protoplanetary disks. Water plays a key role in their
formation, although it is yet unclear whether water molecules are formed
in-situ or transported from the outer disk. So far Spitzer Space Telescope
observations have only provided water luminosity upper limits for dust-depleted
inner disks, similar to PDS 70, the first system with direct confirmation of
protoplanet presence. Here we report JWST observations of PDS 70, a benchmark
target to search for water in a disk hosting a large (AU)
planet-carved gap separating an inner and outer disk. Our findings show water
in the inner disk of PDS 70. This implies that potential terrestrial planets
forming therein have access to a water reservoir. The column densities of water
vapour suggest in-situ formation via a reaction sequence involving O, H,
and/or OH, and survival through water self-shielding. This is also supported by
the presence of CO emission, another molecule sensitive to UV
photodissociation. Dust shielding, and replenishment of both gas and small dust
from the outer disk, may also play a role in sustaining the water reservoir.
Our observations also reveal a strong variability of the mid-infrared spectral
energy distribution, pointing to a change of inner disk geometry.Comment: To appear in Nature on 24 July 2023. 21 pages, 10 figures; includes
extended data. Part of the JWST MINDS Guaranteed Time Observations program's
science enabling products. Spectra downloadable on Zenodo at
https://zenodo.org/record/799102
Observations of fast-moving features in the debris disk of AU Mic on a three-year timescale:Confirmation and new discoveries
Unexpected large evasion fluxes of carbon dioxide from turbulent streams draining the world’s mountains
Inland waters, including streams and rivers, are active components of the global carbon cycle. Despite the large areal extent of the world’s mountains, the role of mountain streams for global carbon fluxes remains elusive. Using recent insights from gas exchange in turbulent streams, we found that areal CO2 evasion fluxes from mountain streams equal or exceed those reported from tropical and boreal streams, typically regarded as hotspots of aquatic carbon fluxes. At the regional scale of the Swiss Alps, we present evidence that emitted CO2 derives from lithogenic and biogenic sources within the catchment and delivered by the groundwater to the streams. At a global scale, we estimate the CO2 evasion from mountain streams to 167 ± 1.5 Tg C yr−1, which is high given their relatively low areal contribution to the global stream and river networks. Our findings shed new light on mountain streams for global carbon fluxes
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