865 research outputs found
The detection of ultra-faint low surface brightness dwarf galaxies in the Virgo Cluster: a Probe of Dark Matter and Baryonic Physics
We have discovered 11 ultra-faint () low surface brightness
(LSB, central surface brightness ) dwarf galaxy
candidates in one deep Virgo field of just arcmin obtained by the
Large Binocular Camera (LBC) at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Their
association with the Virgo cluster is supported by their distinct position in
the central surface brightness - total magnitude plane with respect to the
background galaxies of similar total magnitude. They have typical absolute
magnitudes and scale sizes, if at the distance of Virgo, in the range
and pc,
respectively. Their colors are consistent with a gradually declining star
formation history with a specific star formation rate of the order of
yr, i.e. 10 times lower than that of main sequence star
forming galaxies. They are older than the cluster formation age and appear
regular in morphology. They represent the faintest extremes of the population
of low luminosity LSB dwarfs that has been recently detected in wider surveys
of the Virgo cluster. Thanks to the depth of our observations we are able to
extend the Virgo luminosity function down to (corresponding to
total masses M), finding an average faint-end slope
. This relatively steep slope puts interesting constraints
on the nature of the Dark Matter and in particular on warm Dark Matter (WDM)
often invoked to solve the overprediction of the dwarf number density by the
standard CDM scenario. We derive a lower limit on the WDM particle mass
keV.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ, 13 pages, 6 figure
A study on the multicolour evolution of Red Sequence galaxy populations: insights from hydrodynamical simulations and semi-analytical models
By means of our own cosmological-hydrodynamical simulation and
semi-analytical model we studied galaxy population properties in clusters and
groups, spanning over 10 different bands from UV to NIR, and their evolution
since redshift z=2. We compare our results in terms of galaxy red/blue
fractions and luminous-to-faint ratio (LFR) on the Red Sequence (RS) with
recent observational data reaching beyond z=1.5. Different selection criteria
were tested in order to retrieve galaxies belonging to the RS: either by their
quiescence degree measured from their specific SFR ("Dead Sequence"), or by
their position in a colour-colour plane which is also a function of sSFR. In
both cases, the colour cut and the limiting magnitude threshold were let
evolving with redshift, in order to follow the natural shift of the
characteristic luminosity in the LF.
We find that the Butcher-Oemler effect is wavelength-dependent, with the
fraction of blue galaxies increasing steeper in optical colours than in NIR.
Besides, only when applying a lower limit in terms of fixed absolute magnitude,
a steep BO effect can be reproduced, while the blue fraction results less
evolving when selecting samples by stellar mass or an evolving magnitude limit.
We then find that also the RS-LFR behaviour, highly debated in the literature,
is strongly dependent on the galaxy selection function: in particular its very
mild evolution recovered when measured in terms of stellar mass, is in
agreement with values reported for some of the highest redshift confirmed
(proto)clusters. As to differences through environments, we find that normal
groups and (to a lesser extent) cluster outskirts present the highest values of
both star forming fraction and LFR at low z, while fossil groups and cluster
cores the lowest: this separation among groups begins after z~0.5, while
earlier all group star forming properties are undistinguishable.Comment: revised version, A&A accepted (11 pages, 6 figures
Origin of magnetic moments in defective TiO2 single crystals
In this paper we show that ferromagnetism can be induced in pure TiO2 single
crystals by oxygen ion irradiation. By combining x-ray diffraction,
Raman-scattering, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, a defect complex,
\emph{i.e.} Ti ions on the substitutional sites accompanied by oxygen
vacancies, has been identified in irradiated TiO2. This kind of defect complex
results in a local (TiO) stretching Raman mode. We elucidate that
Ti ions with one unpaired 3d electron provide the local magnetic
moments.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to be published at Phys. Rev.
Spinel ferrite nanocrystals embedded inside ZnO: magnetic, electronic and magneto-transport properties
In this paper we show that spinel ferrite nanocrystals (NiFe2O4, and CoFe2O4)
can be texturally embedded inside a ZnO matrix by ion implantation and
post-annealing. The two kinds of ferrites show different magnetic properties,
e.g. coercivity and magnetization. Anomalous Hall effect and positive
magnetoresistance have been observed. Our study suggests a
ferrimagnet/semiconductor hybrid system for potential applications in
magneto-electronics. This hybrid system can be tuned by selecting different
transition metal ions (from Mn to Zn) to obtain various magnetic and electronic
properties.Comment: 12 pages, 14 figs. accepted for publication at PR
Control of interlayer exchange coupling in Fe/Cr/Fe trilayers by ion beam irradiation
The manipulation of the antiferromagnetic interlayer coupling in the
epitaxial Fe/Cr/Fe(001) trilayer system by moderate 5 keV He ion beam
irradiation has been investigated experimentally. It is shown that even for
irradiation with very low fluences (10^14 ions/cm^2) a drastic change in
strength of the coupling appears. For thin Cr-spacers (below 0.6 - 0.7 nm) the
coupling strength decreases with fluence, becoming ferromagnetic for fluences
above (2x10^14 ions/cm^2). The effect is connected with the creation of
magnetic bridges in the layered system due to atomic exchange events caused by
the bombardment. For thicker Cr spacers (0.8 - 1.2 nm) an enhancement of the
antiferromagnetic coupling strength is found. A possible explanation of the
enhancement effect is given.Comment: Submitted to PR
Mass assembly and AGN activity at in the dense environment of XDCPJ0044.0-2033
XDCP0044.0-2033 is the most massive galaxy cluster known at z>1.5 and its
core shows a high density of galaxies which are experiencing mergers and
hosting nuclear activity. We present a multi-wavelength study of a region
located 157 kpc from the center of this galaxy cluster, for which we have
photometric and spectroscopic multi-wavelength observations (high resolution
HST images in F105W, F140W and F160W bands, NIR KMOS data in H and YJ bands and
Chandra ACIS-S X-ray data). Our main goal is to investigate the environmental
effects acting on the galaxies inhabiting this high density region. We find
that the analyzed region hosts at least nine different sources, six of them
confirmed to be cluster members within a narrow redshift range 1.5728<z<1.5762.
These sources form two different complexes at a projected distance of 13
kpc, which are undergoing merging on an estimated timescale off 10-30 Myr. One
of the sources shows the presence of a broad H alpha emission line and is
classified as Type 1 AGN. This AGN is associated to an X-ray point-like source,
whose emission appears moderately obscured (with intrinsic absorption ) and hosts a relatively massive black hole with mass
, which is accreting with an Eddington ratio of
0.2. We conclude that the analyzed region is consistent with being the
formation site of a secondary BCG. These findings, together with an in-depth
analysis the X-ray morphology of the cluster, suggest a merging scenario of the
entire cluster, with two massive halos both harbouring two rapidly evolving
BCGs on the verge of being assembled. Our results are also consistent with the
scenario in which the AGN phase in member galaxies is triggered by gas-rich
mergers, playing a relevant role in the formation of the red sequence of
elliptical galaxies observed in the center of local galaxy clusters
Perspectives on Chemical Oceanography in the 21st century: Participants of the COME ABOARD Meeting examine aspects of the field in the context of 40 years of DISCO
The questions that chemical oceanographers prioritize over the coming decades, and the methods we use to address these questions, will define our field's contribution to 21st century science. In recognition of this, the U.S. National Science Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration galvanized a community effort (the Chemical Oceanography MEeting: A BOttom-up Approach to Research Directions, or COME ABOARD) to synthesize bottom-up perspectives on selected areas of research in Chemical Oceanography. Representing only a small subset of the community, COME ABOARD participants did not attempt to identify targeted research directions for the field. Instead, we focused on how best to foster diverse research in Chemical Oceanography, placing emphasis on the following themes: strengthening our core chemical skillset; expanding our tools through collaboration with chemists, engineers, and computer scientists; considering new roles for large programs; enhancing interface research through interdisciplinary collaboration; and expanding ocean literacy by engaging with the public. For each theme, COME ABOARD participants reflected on the present state of Chemical Oceanography, where the community hopes to go and why, and actionable pathways to get there. A unifying concept among the discussions was that dissimilar funding structures and metrics of success may be required to accommodate the various levels of readiness and stages of knowledge development found throughout our community. In addition to the science, participants of the concurrent Dissertations Symposium in Chemical Oceanography (DISCO) XXV, a meeting of recent and forthcoming Ph.D. graduates in Chemical Oceanography, provided perspectives on how our field could show leadership in addressing long-standing diversity and early-career challenges that are pervasive throughout science. Here we summarize the COME ABOARD Meeting discussions, providing a synthesis of reflections and perspectives on the field
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Multistate current-induced magnetization switching in Au/Fe/MgO(001) epitaxial heterostructures
Magnetization switching using in-plane charge current recently has been widely investigated in heavy metal/ferromagnet bilayers with the switching mechanism usually attributed to the action of the spin-orbit coupling. Here we study in-plane current induced magnetization switching in model epitaxial bilayers that consist of Au(001) and Fe(001) grown on MgO(001). We use the planar Hall effect combined with magnetooptical Kerr effect (MOKE) microscopy to investigate magnetic properties of the bilayers and current-induced switching. We show that a current density beyond 1.4×107 A/cm can be employed for reproducible electrical switching of the magnetization between multiple stable states that correspond to different arrangements of magnetic domains with magnetization direction along one of the in-plane easy magnetization axes of the Fe(001) film. Lower current densities result in stable intermediate transversal resistances which are interpreted based on MOKE-microscopy investigations as resulting from the current-induced magnetic domain structure that is formed in the area of the Hall cross. We find that the physical mechanism of the current-induced magnetization switching of the Au/Fe/MgO(001) system at room temperature can be fully explained by the Oersted field, which is generated by the charge current flowing mostly through the Au layer
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