3,048 research outputs found
Tunneling, self-trapping and manipulation of higher modes of a BEC in a double well
We consider an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a symmetric
one-dimensional double well potential in the four-mode approximation and show
that the semiclassical dynamics of the two ground state modes can be strongly
influenced by a macroscopic occupation of the two excited modes. In particular,
the addition of the two excited modes already unveils features related to the
effect of dissipation on the condensate. In general, we find a rich dynamics
that includes Rabi oscillations, a mixed Josephson-Rabi regime, self-trapping,
chaotic behavior, and the existence of fixed points. We investigate how the
dynamics of the atoms in the excited modes can be manipulated by controlling
the atomic populations of the ground states.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Quicksort with unreliable comparisons: a probabilistic analysis
We provide a probabilistic analysis of the output of Quicksort when
comparisons can err.Comment: 29 pages, 3 figure
Search for surface magnetic fields in Mira stars. First detection in chi Cyg
In order to complete the knowledge of the magnetic field and of its influence
during the transition from Asymptotic Giant Branch to Planetary Nebulae stages,
we have undertaken a search for magnetic fields at the surface of Mira stars.
We used spectropolarimetric observations, collected with the Narval instrument
at TBL, in order to detect - with Least Squares Deconvolution method - a Zeeman
signature in the visible part of the spectrum. We present the first
spectropolarimetric observations of the S-type Mira star chi Cyg, performed
around its maximum light. We have detected a polarimetric signal in the Stokes
V spectra and we have established its Zeeman origin. We claim that it is likely
to be related to a weak magnetic field present at the photospheric level and in
the lower part of the stellar atmosphere. We have estimated the strength of its
longitudinal component to about 2-3 Gauss. This result favors a 1/r law for the
variation of the magnetic field strength across the circumstellar envelope of
chi Cyg. This is the first detection of a weak magnetic field at the stellar
surface of a Mira star and we discuss its origin in the framework of shock
waves periodically propagating throughout the atmosphere of these radially
pulsating stars. At the date of our observations of chi Cyg, the shock wave
reaches its maximum intensity, and it is likely that the shock amplifies a weak
stellar magnetic field during its passage through the atmosphere. Without such
an amplification by the shock, the magnetic field strength would have been too
low to be detected. For the first time, we also report strong Stokes Q and U
signatures (linear polarization) centered onto the zero velocity (i.e., at the
shock front position). They seem to indicate that the radial direction would be
favored by the shock during its propagation throughout the atmosphere.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics (21
November 2013
Structure and orientation of small particles of platinum deposited on NaCl and mica
The structure of small platinum particles condensed in vacuum onto NaCl (001), NaCl (111) and mica substrates was studied by electron diffraction and electron microscopy. Results show that above a certain substrate temperature decahedral or icosahedral particles are formed. These particles are practically absent with substrates cleaved in high vacuum. They are always much less numerous than in gold films prepared under the same conditions. Assumptions made to explain this phenomenon are: (1) the initial growth of an abnormal structure of the nuclei as opposed by the substrate; (2) the particles disappear before they attain a size which corresponds to the observations; and (3) the particles result from a coalescence mechanism leading to multiple twinned particles
Investigating changes in basal conditions of Variegated Glacier prior to and during its 1982–1983 surge
Variegated Glacier (Alaska) is known to surge periodically after a sufficient amount of cumulative mass balance is reached, but this observation is difficult to link with changes in the basal conditions. Here, using a 10-yr dataset, consisting of surface topography and surface velocity observations along a flow line for 25 dates, we have reconstructed the evolution of the basal conditions prior to and during the 1982–1983 surge. The model solves the full-Stokes problem along the central flow line using the finite element method. For the 25 dates of the dataset, the basal friction parameter distribution is inferred using the inverse method proposed by Arthern and Gudmundsson (2010). This method is here slightly modified by incorporating a regularisation term in the cost function to avoid short wavelength changes in the friction parameter. Our results indicate that dramatic changes in the basal conditions occurred between 1973 to 1983. Prior to the surge, periodic changes can be observed between winter and summer, with a regular increase of the sliding from 1973 to 1982. During the surge, the basal friction decreased dramatically and an area of very low friction moved from the upper part of the glacier to its terminus. Using a more complex friction law, these changes in basal sliding are then interpreted in terms of basal water pressure. Our results support that dramatic changes took place in the subglacial drainage system of Variegated Glacier, moving from a relatively efficient drainage system prior to the surge to an inefficient one during the surge. By reconstructing the water pressure evolution at the base of the glacier it is possible to propose a scenario for the hydrological history leading to the occurrence of a surge
Envelope tomography of long-period variable stars III. Line-doubling frequency among Mira stars
This paper presents statistics of the line-doubling phenomenon in a sample of
81 long-period variable (LPV) stars of various periods, spectral types and
brightness ranges. When correlated with a mask mimicking a K0III spectrum, 54%
of the sample stars clearly showed a double-peaked cross-correlation profile
around maximum light, reflecting double absorption lines. Several pieces of
evidence are presented that point towards the double absorption lines as being
caused by the propagation of a shock wave through the photosphere. The
observation of the Balmer lines appearing in emission around maximum light in
these stars corroborates the presence of a shock wave. The observed velocity
discontinuities, ranging between 10 and 25 km/s, are not correlated with the
brightness ranges. A comparison with the center-of-mass (COM) velocity obtained
from submm CO lines originating in the circumstellar envelope reveals that the
median velocity between the red and blue peaks is blueshifted with respect to
the COM velocity, as expected if the shock moves upwards.Comment: Accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics (21 pages, 15 figures
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