1,000 research outputs found
First high-resolution look at the quiet Sun with ALMA at 3 mm
We present an overview of high resolution quiet Sun observations, from disk
center to the limb, obtained with the Atacama Large mm and sub-mm Array (ALMA)
at 3 mm. Seven quiet Sun regions were observed with resolution of up to 2.5" by
4.5". We produced both average and snapshot images by self-calibrating the ALMA
visibilities and combining the interferometric images with full disk solar
images. The images show well the chromospheric network, which, based on the
unique segregation method we used, is brighter than the average over the fields
of view of the observed regions by K while the intranetwork is less
bright by K, with a slight decrease of the network/intranetwork
contrast toward the limb. At 3 mm the network is very similar to the 1600 \AA\
images, with somewhat larger size. We detected for the first time spicular
structures, rising up to 15" above the limb with a width down to the image
resolution and brightness temperature of 1800 K above the local
background. No trace of spicules, either in emission or absorption, was found
on the disk. Our results highlight ALMA's potential for the study of the quiet
chromosphere.Comment: Astronomy and Astrophysics (Letters), in pres
Monte-Carlo simulations of the recombination dynamics in porous silicon
A simple lattice model describing the recombination dynamics in visible light
emitting porous Silicon is presented. In the model, each occupied lattice site
represents a Si crystal of nanometer size. The disordered structure of porous
Silicon is modeled by modified random percolation networks in two and three
dimensions. Both correlated (excitons) and uncorrelated electron-hole pairs
have been studied. Radiative and non-radiative processes as well as hopping
between nearest neighbor occupied sites are taken into account. By means of
extensive Monte-Carlo simulations, we show that the recombination dynamics in
porous Silicon is due to a dispersive diffusion of excitons in a disordered
arrangement of interconnected Si quantum dots. The simulated luminescence decay
for the excitons shows a stretched exponential lineshape while for uncorrelated
electron-hole pairs a power law decay is suggested. Our results successfully
account for the recombination dynamics recently observed in the experiments.
The present model is a prototype for a larger class of models describing
diffusion of particles in a complex disordered system.Comment: 33 pages, RevTeX, 19 figures available on request to
[email protected]
Flare magnetic reconnection and relativistic particles in the 2003 October 28 event
An X17.2 solar flare occurred on 2003 October 28, accompanied by
multi-wavelength emissions and a high flux of relativistic particles observed
at 1AU. We present the analytic results of the TRACE, SOHO, RHESSI, ACE, GOES,
hard X-ray (INTEGRAL satellite), radio (Onderejov radio telescope), and neutron
monitor data. It is found that the inferred magnetic reconnection electric
field correlates well with the hard X-ray, gamma-ray, and neutron emission at
the Sun. Thus the flare's magnetic reconnection probably makes a crucial
contribution to the prompt relativistic particles, which could be detected at 1
AU. Since the neutrons were emitted a few minutes before the injection of
protons and electrons, we propose a magnetic-field evolution configuration to
explain this delay. We do not exclude the effect of CME-driven shock, which
probably plays an important role in the delayed gradual phase of solar
energetic particles.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, accepted by A&
Saturable and non-saturable components of choline transport in Plasmodium-infected mammalian erythrocytes: possible role of experimental conditions
The Ly<alpha> and Ly<beta> profiles in solar prominences and prominence fine structure
We present the first combined Ly and Ly profiles in solar
prominences obtained by the SOHO/SUMER instrument and discuss their important
spatial variability with respect to predictions from 1D and multithread models.Comment: Accepted in Solar Physics, 14 pages with 9 figures and 3 Table
Photoluminescent diamond nanoparticles for cell labeling: study of the uptake mechanism in mammalian cells
Diamond nanoparticles (nanodiamonds) have been recently proposed as new
labels for cellular imaging. For small nanodiamonds (size <40 nm) resonant
laser scattering and Raman scattering cross-sections are too small to allow
single nanoparticle observation. Nanodiamonds can however be rendered
photoluminescent with a perfect photostability at room temperature. Such a
remarkable property allows easier single-particle tracking over long
time-scales. In this work we use photoluminescent nanodiamonds of size <50 nm
for intracellular labeling and investigate the mechanism of their uptake by
living cells . By blocking selectively different uptake processes we show that
nanodiamonds enter cells mainly by endocytosis and converging data indicate
that it is clathrin mediated. We also examine nanodiamonds intracellular
localization in endocytic vesicles using immunofluorescence and transmission
electron microscopy. We find a high degree of colocalization between vesicles
and the biggest nanoparticles or aggregates, while the smallest particles
appear free in the cytosol. Our results pave the way for the use of
photoluminescent nanodiamonds in targeted intracellular labeling or biomolecule
deliver
Efficient unidirectional nanoslit couplers for surface plasmons
Plasmonics is based on surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes which can be
laterally confined below the diffraction limit, thereby enabling ultracompact
optical components. In order to exploit this potential, the fundamental
bottleneck of poor light-SPP coupling must be overcome. In established SPP
sources (using prism, grating} or nanodefect coupling) incident light is a
source of noise for the SPP, unless the illumination occurs away from the
region of interest, increasing the system size and weakening the SPP intensity.
Back-side illumination of subwavelength apertures in optically thick metal
films eliminates this problem but does not ensure a unique propagation
direction for the SPP. We propose a novel back-side slit-illumination method
based on drilling a periodic array of indentations at one side of the slit. We
demonstrate that the SPP running in the array direction can be suppressed, and
the one propagating in the opposite direction enhanced, providing localized
unidirectional SPP launching.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure
Physics of Solar Prominences: I - Spectral Diagnostics and Non-LTE Modelling
This review paper outlines background information and covers recent advances
made via the analysis of spectra and images of prominence plasma and the
increased sophistication of non-LTE (ie when there is a departure from Local
Thermodynamic Equilibrium) radiative transfer models. We first describe the
spectral inversion techniques that have been used to infer the plasma
parameters important for the general properties of the prominence plasma in
both its cool core and the hotter prominence-corona transition region. We also
review studies devoted to the observation of bulk motions of the prominence
plasma and to the determination of prominence mass. However, a simple inversion
of spectroscopic data usually fails when the lines become optically thick at
certain wavelengths. Therefore, complex non-LTE models become necessary. We
thus present the basics of non-LTE radiative transfer theory and the associated
multi-level radiative transfer problems. The main results of one- and
two-dimensional models of the prominences and their fine-structures are
presented. We then discuss the energy balance in various prominence models.
Finally, we outline the outstanding observational and theoretical questions,
and the directions for future progress in our understanding of solar
prominences.Comment: 96 pages, 37 figures, Space Science Reviews. Some figures may have a
better resolution in the published version. New version reflects minor
changes brought after proof editin
Measuring Solar Abundances
This is the rapporteur paper of Working Group 2 on Measuring Solar Abundances. The working group presented and discussed the different observations and methods for obtaining the elemental and isotopic composition of the Sun, and critically reviewed their results and the accuracies thereof. Furthermore, a few important yet unanswered questions were identified, and the potential of future missions to provide answers was assessed
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