9,012 research outputs found
X-ray Spectroscopy of QSOs with Broad Ultraviolet Absorption Lines
For the population of QSOs with broad ultraviolet absorption lines, we are
just beginning to accumulate X-ray observations with enough counts for spectral
analysis at CCD resolution. From a sample of eight QSOs [including four Broad
Absorption Line (BAL) QSOs and three mini-BAL QSOs] with ASCA or Chandra
spectra with more than 200 counts, general patterns are emerging. Their
power-law X-ray continua are typical of normal QSOs with Gamma~2.0, and the
signatures of a significant column density [N_H~(0.1-4)x10^{23} cm^{-2}] of
intrinsic, absorbing gas are clear. Correcting the X-ray spectra for intrinsic
absorption recovers a normal ultraviolet-to-X-ray flux ratio, indicating that
the spectral energy distributions of this population are not inherently
anomalous. In addition, a large fraction of our sample shows significant
evidence for complexity in the absorption. The subset of BAL QSOs with broad
MgII absorption apparently suffers from Compton-thick absorption completely
obscuring the direct continuum in the 2-10 keV X-ray band, complicating any
measurement of their intrinsic X-ray spectral shapes.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, uses AASTeX. Accepted to the Astrophysical
Journa
X-raying the Winds of Luminous Active Galaxies
We briefly describe some recent observational results, mainly at X-ray
wavelengths, on the winds of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs). These
winds likely play a significant role in galaxy feedback. Topics covered include
(1) Relations between X-ray and UV absorption in Broad Absorption Line (BAL)
and mini-BAL quasars; (2) X-ray absorption in radio-loud BAL quasars; and (3)
Evidence for relativistic iron K BALs in the X-ray spectra of a few bright
quasars. We also mention some key outstanding problems and prospects for future
advances; e.g., with the International X-ray Observatory (IXO).Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, to appear in proceedings of the conference "The
Monster's Fiery Breath: Feedback in Galaxies, Groups, and Clusters", June
2009, Madison, Wisconsi
Ultraviolet/X-ray variability and the extended X-ray emission of the radio-loud broad absorption line quasar PG 1004+130
We present the results of recent Chandra, XMM-Newton, and Hubble Space
Telescope observations of the radio-loud (RL), broad absorption line (BAL)
quasar PG 1004+130. We compare our new observations to archival X-ray and UV
data, creating the most comprehensive, high signal-to-noise, multi-epoch,
spectral monitoring campaign of a RL BAL quasar to date. We probe for
variability of the X-ray absorption, the UV BAL, and the X-ray jet, on
month-year timescales. The X-ray absorber has a low column density of
cm when it is assumed to be fully
covering the X-ray emitting region, and its properties do not vary
significantly between the 4 observations. This suggests the observed absorption
is not related to the typical "shielding gas" commonly invoked in BAL quasar
models, but is likely due to material further from the central black hole. In
contrast, the CIV BAL shows strong variability. The equivalent width (EW) in
2014 is EW=11.240.56 \AA, showing a fractional increase of =1.160.11 from the 2003 observation, 3183 days earlier
in the rest-frame. This places PG 1004+130 among the most highly variable BAL
quasars. By combining Chandra observations we create an exposure 2.5 times
deeper than studied previously, with which to investigate the nature of the
X-ray jet and extended diffuse X-ray emission. An X-ray knot, likely with a
synchrotron origin, is detected in the radio jet ~8 arcsec (30 kpc) from the
central X-ray source with a spatial extent of ~4 arcsec (15 kpc). No similar
X-ray counterpart to the counterjet is detected. Asymmetric, non-thermal
diffuse X-ray emission, likely due to inverse Compton scattering of Cosmic
Microwave Background photons, is also detected.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in Ap
Facilitated spin models of dissipative quantum glasses
We introduce a class of dissipative quantum spin models with local
interactions and without quenched disorder that show glassy behaviour. These
models are the quantum analogs of the classical facilitated spin models. Just
like their classical counterparts, quantum facilitated models display complex
glassy dynamics despite the fact that their stationary state is essentially
trivial. In these systems, dynamical arrest is a consequence of kinetic
constraints and not of static ordering. These models display a quantum version
of dynamic heterogeneity: the dynamics towards relaxation is spatially
correlated despite the absence of static correlations. Associated dynamical
fluctuation phenomena such as decoupling of timescales is also observed.
Moreover, we find that close to the classical limit quantum fluctuations can
enhance glassiness, as recently reported for quantum liquids.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Laser and microwave spectroscopy of even-parity Rydberg states of neutral ytterbium and Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory analysis
New measurements of high-lying even parity and
levels of neutral Yb are presented in this paper.
Spectroscopy is performed by a two-step laser excitation from the ground state
, and the Rydberg levels are detected by using the
field ionization method. Additional two-photon microwave spectroscopy is used
to improve the relative energy accuracy where possible. The spectroscopic
measurements are complemented by a multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT)
analysis for the J=0 and the two-coupled J=2 even parity series. We compare our
results with the previous analysis of Aymar {\it{et al}} \cite{Aymar_1980} and
analyze the observed differences. From the new MQDT models, a revised value for
the first ionization limit cm is proposed.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
Steady-state crystallization of Rydberg excitations in an optically driven lattice gas
We study resonant optical excitations of atoms in a one-dimensional lattice
to the Rydberg states interacting via the van der Waals potential which
suppresses simultaneous excitation of neighboring atoms. Considering two- and
three-level excitation schemes, we analyze the dynamics and stationary state of
the continuously-driven, dissipative many-body system employing time-dependent
density-matrix renormalization group (t-DMRG) simulations. We show that
two-level atoms can exhibit only nearest neighbor correlations, while
three-level atoms under dark-state resonant driving can develop finite-range
crystalline order of Rydberg excitations. We present an approximate rate
equation model whose analytic solution yields qualitative understanding of the
numerical results.Comment: 5 pages,3 figure
Spin-dependent phenomena and device concepts explored in (Ga,Mn)As
Over the past two decades, the research of (Ga,Mn)As has led to a deeper
understanding of relativistic spin-dependent phenomena in magnetic systems. It
has also led to discoveries of new effects and demonstrations of unprecedented
functionalities of experimental spintronic devices with general applicability
to a wide range of materials. In this article we review the basic material
properties that make (Ga,Mn)As a favorable test-bed system for spintronics
research and discuss contributions of (Ga,Mn)As studies in the general context
of the spin-dependent phenomena and device concepts. Special focus is on the
spin-orbit coupling induced effects and the reviewed topics include the
interaction of spin with electrical current, light, and heat.Comment: 47 pages, 41 figure
- …