9,743 research outputs found
Stellar and Molecular Gas Kinematics of NGC1097: Inflow Driven by a Nuclear Spiral
We present spatially resolved distributions and kinematics of the stars and
molecular gas in the central 320pc of NGC1097. The stellar continuum confirms
the previously reported 3-arm spiral pattern extending into the central 100pc.
The stellar kinematics and the gas distribution imply this is a shadowing
effect due to extinction by gas and dust in the molecular spiral arms. The
molecular gas kinematics show a strong residual (i.e. non-circular) velocity,
which is manifested as a 2-arm kinematic spiral. Linear models indicate that
this is the line-of-sight velocity pattern expected for a density wave in gas
that generates a 3-arm spiral morphology. We estimate the inflow rate along the
arms. Using hydrodynamical models of nuclear spirals, we show that when
deriving the accretion rate into the central region, outflow in the disk plane
between the arms has to be taken into account. For NGC1097, despite the inflow
rate along the arms being ~1.2Msun/yr, the net gas accretion rate to the
central few tens of parsecs is much smaller. The numerical models indicate that
the inflow rate could be as little as ~0.06Msun/yr. This is sufficient to
generate recurring starbursts, similar in scale to that observed, every
20-150Myr. The nuclear spiral represents a mechanism that can feed gas into the
central parsecs of the galaxy, with the gas flow sustainable for timescales of
a Gigayear.Comment: accepted by Ap
Some effects of Mach number and geometry on sonic boom
Mach number and geometry effects on level of sonic boom overpressure and applicability of Whitham theory to calculation of sonic boo
1-1.4 Micron Spectral Atlas of Stars
We present a catalog of J-band (1.08 um to 1.35 um) stellar spectra at low
resolution (R ~ 400). The targets consist of 105 stars ranging in spectral type
from O9.5 to M7 and luminosity classes I through V. The relatively featureless
spectra of hot stars, earlier than A4, can be used to remove the atmospheric
features which dominate ground-based J-band spectroscopy. We measure equivalent
widths for three absorption lines and nine blended features which we identify
in the spectra. Using detailed comparison with higher resolution spectra, we
demonstrate that low resolution data can be used for stellar classification,
since several features depend on the effective temperature and gravity. For
example The CN index (1.096 - 1.104 um) decreases with temperature, but the
strength of a blended feature at 1.28 um (consisting of primarily P beta)
increases. The slope of a star's spectrum can also be used to estimate its
effective temperature. The luminosity class of a star correlates with the ratio
of the Mg I (1.1831 um) line to a blend of several species at 1.16 um. Using
these indicators, a star can be classified to within several subclasses.
Fifteen stars with particularly high and low metal abundances are included in
the catalog and some spectral dependence on metal abundance is also found.Comment: 35 pages, 10 figures (3a-e are in gif format. For complete high
resolution figures, go to http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~malkan/newjspec/) ;
Accepted for published in ApJS; For associated spectra files, see
http://www.astro.ucla.edu/~malkan/newjspec
Retrodirective transponder feasibility experiment
Test program on feasibility of digital phase measuring subsystem of pulse-coherent retrodirective transponde
Visualization of flows in a motored rotary combustion engine using holographic interferometry
The use of holographic interferometry to view the small- and large-scale flow field structures in the combustion chamber of a motored Wankel engine assembly is described. In order that the flow patterns of interest could be observed, small quantities of helium were injected with the intake air. Variation of the air flow patterns with engine speed, helium flow rate, and rotor position are described. The air flow at two locations within the combustion chamber was examined using this technique
A comparison of theoretical and experimental pressure distributions for two advanced fighter wings
A comparison was made between experimental pressure distributions measured during testing of the Vought A-7 fighter and the theoretical predictions of four transonic potential flow codes. Isolated wind and three wing-body codes were used for comparison. All comparisons are for transonic Mach numbers and include both attached and separate flows. In general, the wing-body codes gave better agreement with the experiment than did the isolated wing code but, because of the greater complexity of the geometry, were found to be considerably more expensive and less reliable
Public exhibit for demonstrating the quantum of electrical conductance
We present a new robust setup that explains and demonstrates the quantum of
electrical conductance for a general audience and which is continuously
available in a public space. The setup allows users to manually thin a gold
wire of several atoms in diameter while monitoring its conductance in real
time. During the experiment, a characteristic step-like conductance decrease
due to rearrangements of atoms in the cross-section of the wire is observed.
Just before the wire breaks, a contact consisting of a single atom with a
characteristic conductance close to the quantum of conductance can be
maintained up to several seconds. The setup is operated full-time, needs
practically no maintenance and is used on different educational levels
[The Impact of Nuclear Star Formation on Gas Inflow to AGN
Our adaptive optics observations of nearby AGN at spatial resolutions as
small as 0.085arcsec show strong evidence for recent, but no longer active,
nuclear star formation. We begin by describing observations that highlight two
contrasting methods by which gas can flow into the central tens of parsecs. Gas
accumulation in this region will inevitably lead to a starburst, and we discuss
the evidence for such events. We then turn to the impact of stellar evolution
on the further inflow of gas by combining a phenomenological approach with
analytical modelling and hydrodynamic simulations. These complementary
perspectives paint a picture in which all the processes are ultimately
regulated by the mass accretion rate into the central hundred parsecs, and the
ensuing starburst that occurs there. The resulting supernovae delay accretion
by generating a starburst wind, which leaves behind a clumpy interstellar
medium. This provides an ideal environment for slower stellar outflows to
accrete inwards and form a dense turbulent disk on scales of a few parsecs.
Such a scenario may resolve the discrepancy between the larger scale structure
seen with adaptive optics and the small scale structure seen with VLTI.Comment: to appear in: Co-Evolution of Central Black Holes and Galaxies; 7
page
Product assurance technology for procuring reliable, radiation-hard, custom LSI/VLSI electronics
Advanced measurement methods using microelectronic test chips are described. These chips are intended to be used in acquiring the data needed to qualify Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC's) for space use. Efforts were focused on developing the technology for obtaining custom IC's from CMOS/bulk silicon foundries. A series of test chips were developed: a parametric test strip, a fault chip, a set of reliability chips, and the CRRES (Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite) chip, a test circuit for monitoring space radiation effects. The technical accomplishments of the effort include: (1) development of a fault chip that contains a set of test structures used to evaluate the density of various process-induced defects; (2) development of new test structures and testing techniques for measuring gate-oxide capacitance, gate-overlap capacitance, and propagation delay; (3) development of a set of reliability chips that are used to evaluate failure mechanisms in CMOS/bulk: interconnect and contact electromigration and time-dependent dielectric breakdown; (4) development of MOSFET parameter extraction procedures for evaluating subthreshold characteristics; (5) evaluation of test chips and test strips on the second CRRES wafer run; (6) two dedicated fabrication runs for the CRRES chip flight parts; and (7) publication of two papers: one on the split-cross bridge resistor and another on asymmetrical SRAM (static random access memory) cells for single-event upset analysis
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