5,168 research outputs found
Fluctuations of the intergalactic ionization field at redshift z ~ 2
(Abridged) Aims. To probe the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the
ionizing background radiation at z ~ 2 and to specify the sources contributing
to the intergalactic radiation field. Methods. The spectrum of a bright quasar
HS1103+6416 (zem = 2.19) contains five successive metal-line absorption systems
at zabs = 1.1923, 1.7193, 1.8873, 1.8916, and 1.9410. The systems are optically
thin and reveal multiple lines of different metal ions with the ionization
potentials lying in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range (1 Ryd to 0.2 keV). For
each system, the EUV SED of the underlying ionization field is reconstructed by
means of a special technique developed for solving the inverse problem in
spectroscopy. For the zabs = 1.8916 system, the analysis also involves the HeI
resonance lines of the Lyman series and the HeI 504 A continuum, which are seen
for the first time in any cosmic object except the Sun. Results. From one
system to another, the SED of the ionizing continuum changes significantly,
indicating that the intergalactic ionization field at z ~ 2 fluctuates at the
scale of at least Delta_z ~ 0.004. This is consistent with Delta_z ~ 0.01
estimated from HeII and HI Lyman-alpha forest measurements between the
redshifts 2 and 3.Comment: 29 pages, 18 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in A\&
The Outburst of the Blazar AO 0235+164 in 2006 December: Shock-in-Jet Interpretation
We present the results of polarimetric ( band) and multicolor photometric
() observations of the blazar AO 0235+16 during an outburst in 2006
December. The data reveal a short timescale of variability (several hours),
which increases from optical to near-IR wavelengths; even shorter variations
are detected in polarization. The flux density correlates with the degree of
polarization, and at maximum degree of polarization the electric vector tends
to align with the parsec-scale jet direction. We find that a variable component
with a steady power-law spectral energy distribution and very high optical
polarization (30-50%) is responsible for the variability. We interpret these
properties of the blazar withina model of a transverse shock propagating down
the jet. In this case a small change in the viewing angle of the jet, by
, and a decrease in the shocked plasma compression by a factor of
1.5 are sufficient to account for the variability.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures, accepted for Ap
Cubulating hyperbolic free-by-cyclic groups: the general case
Let be an automorphism of the finite-rank free group
. Suppose that is word-hyperbolic. Then acts
freely and cocompactly on a CAT(0) cube complex.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures. Version 2 contains minor corrections. Accepted
to GAF
Generating Functionals for Harmonic Expectation Values of Paths with Fixed End Points. Feynman Diagrams for Nonpolynomial Interactions
We introduce a general class of generating functionals for the calculation of
quantum-mechanical expectation values of arbitrary functionals of fluctuating
paths with fixed end points in configuration or momentum space. The generating
functionals are calculated explicitly for harmonic oscillators with
time-dependent frequency, and used to derive a smearing formulas for
correlation functions of polynomial and nonpolynomials functions of
time-dependent positions and momenta. These formulas summarize the effect of
thermal and quantum fluctuations, and serve to derive generalized Wick rules
and Feynman diagrams for perturbation expansions of nonpolynomial interactions.Comment: Author Information under
http://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/~kleinert/institution.html . Latest update of
paper also at http://www.physik.fu-berlin.de/~kleinert/28
Time-dependent coupled-cluster method for atomic nuclei
We study time-dependent coupled-cluster theory in the framework of nuclear
physics. Based on Kvaal's bi-variational formulation of this method [S. Kvaal,
arXiv:1201.5548], we explicitly demonstrate that observables that commute with
the Hamiltonian are conserved under time evolution. We explore the role of the
energy and of the similarity-transformed Hamiltonian under real and imaginary
time evolution and relate the latter to similarity renormalization group
transformations. Proof-of-principle computations of He-4 and O-16 in small
model spaces, and computations of the Lipkin model illustrate the capabilities
of the method.Comment: 10 pages, 9 pdf figure
Color Variability of the Blazar AO 0235+16
Multicolor (UBVRIJHK) observations of the blazar AO 0235+16 are analyzed. The
light curves were compiled at the Turin Observatory from literature data and
the results of observations obtained in the framework of the WEBT program
(http://www.to.astro/blazars/webt/). The color variability of the blazar was
studied in eight time intervals with a sufficient number of multicolor optical
observations; JHK data are available for only one of these. The spectral energy
distribution (SED) of the variable component remained constant within each
interval, but varied strongly from one interval to another. After correction
for dust absorption, the SED can be represented by a power law in all cases,
providing evidence for a synchrotron nature of the variable component. We show
that the variability at both optical and IR wavelengths is associated with the
same variable source.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, accepted for publication in Astronomy
Report
New Gauge Invariant Formulation of the Chern-Simons Gauge Theory
A new gauge invariant formulation of the relativistic scalar field
interacting with Chern-Simons gauge fields is considered. This formulation is
consistent with the gauge fixed formulation. Furthermore we find that canonical
(Noether) Poincar\'e generators are not gauge invariant even on the constraints
surface and do not satisfy the (classical) Poincar\'e algebra. It is the
improved generators, constructed from the symmetric energy-momentum tensor,
which are (manifestly) gauge invariant and obey the classical Poincar\'e
algebra.Comment: Shortened, to appear as Papid Communication-PRD/Nov/9
Conditions for nonexistence of static or stationary, Einstein-Maxwell, non-inheriting black-holes
We consider asymptotically-flat, static and stationary solutions of the
Einstein equations representing Einstein-Maxwell space-times in which the
Maxwell field is not constant along the Killing vector defining stationarity,
so that the symmetry of the space-time is not inherited by the electromagnetic
field. We find that static degenerate black hole solutions are not possible
and, subject to stronger assumptions, nor are static, non-degenerate or
stationary black holes. We describe the possibilities if the stronger
assumptions are relaxed.Comment: 19 pages, to appear in GER
On the Minimal Model of Anyons
We present new geometric formulations for the fractional spin particle models
on the minimal phase spaces. New consistent couplings of the anyon to
background fields are constructed. The relationship between our approach and
previously developed anyon models is discussed.Comment: 17 pages, LaTex, no figure
Visual clues act as a substitute for haptic feedback in robotic surgery
Objective: The lack of haptic feedback (HF) in robotic surgery is one of the major concerns of novice surgeons to that field. The superior visual appearances acquired during robotic surgery may give clues that make HF less important. Methods: We surveyed 52 individuals on their perception of HF during robotic surgery. The first group of 34 surgically inexperienced people used the da Vinci robot for their first time (drylab). The second group included 8 laparoscopic surgeons with experience up to a fifth robotic operation. The third group included 10 surgical experts with substantial experience (150-650 robotic cases). Visual analog assessment was made of perception of HF, how much HF was missed, how much the absence of HF impaired the operators' level of comfort. Robotic experts were asked if complications have occurred as a result of a lack of HF. Results: Of the first group, 50% reported the perception of HF, as did 55% of the second group and 100% of the third group (difference between group 1 and group 3: p<0.05). The first group missed HF for 6.5; the second group for 4.3, and the third group for 4 (difference between groups 1 and 3: p<0.05). The surgical experts claimed to have missed HF for 7.2 s when they first started robotic surgery (Difference to now: p<0.05). The lack of HF caused discomfort for the first group of 4; for the second group of 4,4, and for the third group of 2,6. One complication was reported by the robotic experts as resulting from the lack of HF. Conclusions: The data support the conclusion that even beginners quickly experience the perception of HF when performing robotic surgery. With more experience, perception of HF and the level of comfort with robotic surgery increases significantly. This perception of HF makes "realâ HF less important and demonstrates that its importance is overestimated by novices in robotic surger
- âŠ