322 research outputs found
Formation of capillary bridges in AFM-like geometry
We discuss the phase diagram of fluid confined in AFM-like geometry. It
combines the properties of capillary condensation and complete filling of a
wedge.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure
The influence of line tension on the formation of liquid bridges
The formation of liquid bridges between a planar and conical substrates is
analyzed macroscopically taking into account the line tension. Depending on the
value of the line tension coefficient \tau and geometric parameters of the
system one observes two different scenarios of liquid bridge formation upon
changing the fluid state along the bulk liquid-vapor coexistence. For \tau >
\tau * (\tau * < 0) there is a first-order transition to a state with
infinitely thick liquid bridge. For \tau < \tau * the scenario consists of two
steps: first there is a first-order transition to a state with liquid bridge of
finite thickness which upon further increase of temperature is followed by
continuous growth of the thickness of the bridge to infinity. In addition to
constructing the relevant phase diagram we examine the dependence of the width
of the bridge on thermodynamic and geometric parameters of the system.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Mesoscopic analysis of Gibbs' criterion for sessile nanodroplets on trapezoidal substrates
By taking into account precursor films accompanying nanodroplets on
trapezoidal substrates we show that on a mesoscopic level of description one
does not observe the phenomenon of liquid-gas-substrate contact line pinning at
substrate edges. This phenomenon is present in a macroscopic description and
leads to non-unique contact angles which can take values within a range
determined by the so-called Gibbs' criterion. Upon increasing the volume of the
nanodroplet the apparent contact angle evaluated within the mesoscopic approach
changes continuously between two limiting values fulfilling Gibbs' criterion
while the contact line moves smoothly across the edge of the trapezoidal
substrate. The spatial extent of the range of positions of the contact line,
corresponding to the variations of the contact angle between the values given
by Gibbs' criterion, is of the order of ten fluid particle diameters.Comment: 23 pages, 27 figure
A redshifted Fe K line from the unusual gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904
Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of
the gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904, which are difficult to reconcile with any
other well established gamma-ray source class. The object is either a very
atypical blazar or compact jet source seen at a larger angle to the line of
sight. In order to determine the physical origin of the high-energy emission
processes in PMN J1603-4904, we study the X-ray spectrum in detail. We
performed quasi-simultaneous X-ray observations with XMM-Newton and Suzaku in
2013 September, resulting in the first high signal-to-noise X-ray spectrum of
this source. The 2-10 keV X-ray spectrum can be well described by an absorbed
power law with an emission line at 5.440.05 keV (observed frame).
Interpreting this feature as a K{\alpha} line from neutral iron, we determine
the redshift of PMN J1603-4904 to be z=0.180.01, corresponding to a
luminosity distance of 87254 Mpc. The detection of a redshifted X-ray
emission line further challenges the original BL Lac classification of PMN
J1603-4904. This result suggests that the source is observed at a larger angle
to the line of sight than expected for blazars, and thus the source would add
to the elusive class of gamma-ray loud misaligned-jet objects, possibly a
{\gamma}-ray bright young radio galaxy.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, A&A accepte
Unusual Flaring Activity in the Blazar PKS 1424-418 during 2008-2011
Context. Blazars are a subset of active galactic nuclei (AGN) with jets that
are oriented along our line of sight. Variability and spectral energy
distribution (SED) studies are crucial tools for understanding the physical
processes responsible for observed AGN emission.
Aims. We report peculiar behaviour in the bright gamma-ray blazar PKS
1424-418 and use its strong variability to reveal information about the
particle acceleration and interactions in the jet. Methods. Correlation
analysis of the extensive optical coverage by the ATOM telescope and nearly
continuous gamma-ray coverage by the Fermi Large Area Telescope is combined
with broadband, time-dependent modeling of the SED incorporating supplemental
information from radio and X-ray observations of this blazar.
Results. We analyse in detail four bright phases at optical-GeV energies.
These flares of PKS 1424-418 show high correlation between these energy ranges,
with the exception of one large optical flare that coincides with relatively
low gamma-ray activity. Although the optical/gamma-ray behaviour of PKS
1424-418 shows variety, the multiwavelength modeling indicates that these
differences can largely be explained by changes in the flux and energy spectrum
of the electrons in the jet that are radiating. We find that for all flares the
SED is adequately represented by a leptonic model that includes inverse Compton
emission from external radiation fields with similar parameters.
Conclusions. Detailed studies of individual blazars like PKS 1424-418 during
periods of enhanced activity in different wavebands are helping us identify
underlying patterns in the physical parameters in this class of AGN.Comment: accepted for publication in A&
ATCA monitoring of gamma-ray loud AGN
As a critical part of the Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral
Milliarcsecond Interferometry (TANAMI) program, in November 2007 the Australia
Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) started monitoring the radio spectra of a sample
of southern hemisphere active galactic nuclei (AGN) that were selected as
likely candidates for detection (as well as a control sample) by the Large Area
Telescope (LAT) aboard the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Observatory. The initial
sample was chosen based on properties determined from AGN detections by the
Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET). Most of the initial sample
has been detected by Fermi/LAT and with the addition of new detections the
sample has grown to include 226 AGN, 133 of which have data for more than one
epoch. For the majority of these AGN, our monitoring program provides the only
dynamic radio spectra available. The ATCA receiver suite makes it possible to
observe several sources at frequencies between 4.5 and 41 GHz in a few hours,
resulting in an excellent measure of spectral index at each epoch. By examining
how the spectral index changes over time, we aim to investigate the mechanics
of radio and gamma-ray emission from AGN jets.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 2012 Fermi & Jansky Proceedings - eConf C111110
The TANAMI Program
TANAMI (Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond
Interferometry) is a monitoring program to study the parsec-scale structures
and dynamics of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) of the
Southern Hemisphere with the Long Baseline Array and associated telescopes.
Extragalactic jets south of -30 degrees declination are observed at 8.4 GHz and
22 GHz every two months at milliarcsecond resolution. The initial TANAMI sample
is a hybrid radio and gamma-ray selected sample since the combination of VLBI
and gamma-ray observations is crucial to understand the broadband emission
characteristics of AGN.Comment: Confernce Proceedings for "X-ray Astronomy 2009" (Bologna), 3 pages,
3 figures, needs cls-fil
TANAMI - Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry
We present a summary of the observation strategy of TANAMI (Tracking Active
Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry), a monitoring
program to study the parsec-scale structure and dynamics of relativistic jets
in active galactic nuclei (AGN) of the Southern Hemisphere with the Australian
Long Baseline Array (LBA) and the trans-oceanic antennas Hartebeesthoek, TIGO,
and O'Higgins. TANAMI is focusing on extragalactic sources south of -30 degrees
declination with observations at 8.4 GHz and 22 GHz every ~2 months at
milliarcsecond resolution. The initial TANAMI sample of 43 sources has been
defined before the launch of the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope to include the
most promising candidates for bright gamma-ray emission to be detected with its
Large Area Telescope (LAT). Since November 2008, we have been adding new
sources to the sample, which now includes all known radio- and gamma-ray bright
AGN of the Southern Hemisphere. The combination of VLBI and gamma-ray
observations is crucial to understand the broadband emission characteristics of
AGN and the nature of relativistic jets.Comment: Conference proceedings "2009 Fermi Symposium" eConf Proceedings
C09112
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