Nature of the excited states of He_2

The low-lying excited states of He_2 have been examined using spatially projected generalized-valence-bond wave functions. Typically the excited-state potential curves are repulsive at large R (internuclear distance) but exhibit an attractive well at small R. We find that the repulsion at large R results from an unfavorable exchange interaction of a Rydberg orbital mostly on one He with the two core orbitals on the other He. This arises from the restrictions on the molecular wave function implicit in the Pauli principle and is similar in nature to the repulsive pair-pair interactions between ground state He atoms. For R < 3a_0 the Rydberg orbital is large compared with R and the shape of the potential curve is determined by core-core interactions. For the A^1Σ_u^+ state, the calculated maximum in the potential curve is 0.0607 eV at 3.09 Å, in excellent agreement with experimentally derived values. Results are presented for several other excited states

Spin-Generalized SCF Wavefunctions for H2O, OH, and O

Wavefunctions from spin-generalized SCF calculations using the GF method, are reported for H2O, OH, and O. Three different basis sets are examined for each of these systems. The shapes and angles between the localized GF orbitals are described in some detail. It is shown that the resulting GF orbitals change in a chemically reasonable manner as we proceed from O to OH to H2O. The dipole and quadrupole moments, electric fields, field gradients, densities, and potentials are reported for the GF wavefunctions

The Mass of the Black Hole in LMC X-3

We analyze a large set of new and archival photometric and spectroscopic observations of LMC X-3 to arrive at a self-consistent dynamical model for the system. Using echelle spectra obtained with the MIKE instrument on the 6.5m Magellan Clay telescope and the UVES instrument on the second 8.2m Very Large Telescope we find a velocity semiamplitude for the secondary star of $K_2=241.1\pm 6.2$ km s$^{-1}$, where the uncertainty includes an estimate of the systematic error caused by X-ray heating. Using the spectra, we also find a projected rotational velocity of $V_{\rm rot}\sin i=118.5\pm 6.6$ km s$^{-1}$. From an analysis of archival $B$ and $V$ light curves as well as new $B$ and $V$ light curves from the SMARTS 1.3m telescope, we find an inclination of $i=69.84\pm 0.37^{\circ}$ for models that do not include X-ray heating and an inclination of $i=69.24\pm 0.72^{\circ}$ for models that incorporate X-ray heating. Adopting the latter inclination measurement, we find masses of $3.63\pm 0.57\,M_{\odot}$ and $6.98\pm 0.56\,M_{\odot}$ for the companion star and the black hole, respectively. We briefly compare our results with earlier work and discuss some of their implications.Comment: 31 pages, 15 figures, substantial revisions, ApJ, accepte

Light-Trap: A SiPM Upgrade for Very High Energy Astronomy and Beyond

With the development of the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique (IACT), Gamma-ray astronomy has become one of the most interesting and productive fields of astrophysics. Current IACT telescope arrays (MAGIC, H.E.S.S, VERITAS) use photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to detect the optical/near-UV Cherenkov radiation emitted due to the interaction of gamma rays with the atmosphere. For the next generation of IACT experiments, the possibility of replacing the PMTs with Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) is being studied. Among the main drawbacks of SiPMs are their limited active area (leading to an increase in the cost and complexity of the camera readout) and their sensitivity to unwanted wavelengths. Here we propose a novel method to build a relatively low-cost pixel consisting of a SiPM attached to a PMMA disc doped with a wavelength shifter. This pixel collects light over a much larger area than a single standard SiPM and improves sensitivity to near-UV light while simultaneously rejecting background. We describe the design of a detector that could also have applications in other fields where detection area and cost are crucial. We present results of simulations and laboratory measurements of a pixel prototype and from field tests performed with a 7-pixel cluster installed in a MAGIC telescope camera.Comment: Proceedings of the 35th International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC 2017), Bexco, Busan, Korea. Id:81

Chronic dermatomycoses of the foot as risk factors for acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg: A case-control study

Objective: To assess the role of foot dermatomycosis ( tinea pedis and onychomycosis) and other candidate risk factors in the development of acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg. Methods: A case-control study, including 243 patients ( cases) with acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg and 467 controls, 2 per case, individually matched for gender, age (+/-5 years), hospital and admission date (+/-2 months). Results: Overall, mycology-proven foot dermatomycosis was a significant risk factor for acute bacterial cellulitis (odds ratio, OR: 2.4; p < 0.001), as were tinea pedis interdigitalis (OR: 3.2; p < 0.001), tinea pedis plantaris (OR: 1.7; p = 0.005) and onychomycosis (OR: 2.2; p < 0.001) individually. Other risk factors included: disruption of the cutaneous barrier, history of bacterial cellulitis, chronic venous insufficiency and leg oedema. Conclusions: Tinea pedis and onychomycosis were found to be significant risk factors for acute bacterial cellulitis of the leg that are readily amenable to treatment with effective pharmacological therapy. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Nature of the excited states of He_2

The low-lying excited states of He_2 have been examined using spatially projected generalized-valence-bond wave functions. Typically the excited-state potential curves are repulsive at large R (internuclear distance) but exhibit an attractive well at small R. We find that the repulsion at large R results from an unfavorable exchange interaction of a Rydberg orbital mostly on one He with the two core orbitals on the other He. This arises from the restrictions on the molecular wave function implicit in the Pauli principle and is similar in nature to the repulsive pair-pair interactions between ground state He atoms. For R < 3a_0 the Rydberg orbital is large compared with R and the shape of the potential curve is determined by core-core interactions. For the A^1Σ_u^+ state, the calculated maximum in the potential curve is 0.0607 eV at 3.09 Å, in excellent agreement with experimentally derived values. Results are presented for several other excited states