248 research outputs found
Solar Neutrinos from CNO Electron Capture
The neutrino flux from the sun is predicted to have a CNO-cycle contribution
as well as the known pp-chain component. Previously, only the fluxes from beta+
decays of 13N, 15O, and 17F have been calculated in detail. Another neutrino
component that has not been widely considered is electron capture on these
nuclei. We calculate the number of interactions in several solar neutrino
detectors due to neutrinos from electron capture on 13N, 15O, and 17F, within
the context of the Standard Solar Model. We also discuss possible non-standard
models where the CNO flux is increased.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Phys. Rev. C; v2 has minor changes
including integration over solar volume and addition of missing reference to
previous continuum electron capture calculation; v3 has minor changes
including addition of references and the correction of a small (about 1%)
numerical error in the table
Nanometer Scale Dielectric Fluctuations at the Glass Transition
Using non-contact scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques, dielectric
properties were studied on 50 nanometer length scales in poly-vinyl-acetate
(PVAc) films in the vicinity of the glass transition. Low frequency (1/f) noise
observed in the measurements, was shown to arise from thermal fluctuations of
the electric polarization. Anomalous variations observed in the noise spectrum
provide direct evidence for cooperative nano-regions with heterogeneous
kinetics. The cooperative length scale was determined. Heterogeneity was
long-lived only well below the glass transition for faster than average
processes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 embedded PS figures, RevTeX - To appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Modeling the spectrum of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's Object)
Theoretical spectral energy distributions were computed for a grid of
hydrogen-deficient and carbon-rich model atmospheres of T(eff) in the range of
5000-6250 K and log g = 1.0 - 0.0 by the technique of opacity sampling, taking
into account continuous, molecular band and atomic line absorption. These
energy distributions were compared with the spectrum of V4334 Sgr (Sakurai's
object) of April, 1997 in the wavelength interval 300-1000 nm. We show that (1)
the shape of the theoretical spectra depends strongly on T(eff) but only very
weakly on the hydrogen abundance; (2) the comparison of the observed and
computed spectra permits to estimate T(eff) approximately 5500 K for V4334 Sgr
in April, 1997, and its interstellar reddening (plus a possible circumstellar
contribution) E(B-V) approximately 0.70.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, LaTeX, accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysic
Merging of Components in Close Binaries: Type Ia Supernovae, Massive White Dwarfs, and Ap stars
The "Scenario Machine" (a computer code designed for studies of the evolution
of close binaries) was used to carry out a population synthesis for a wide
range of merging astrophysical objects: main-sequence stars with main-sequence
stars; white dwarfs with white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; neutron
stars with neutron stars and black holes; and black holes with black holes.We
calculate the rates of such events, and plot the mass distributions for merging
white dwarfs and main-sequence stars. It is shown that Type Ia supernovae can
be used as standard candles only after approximately one billion years of
evolution of galaxies. In the course of this evolution, the average energy of
Type Ia supernovae should decrease by roughly 10%; the maximum and minimum
energies of Type Ia supernovae may differ by no less than by a factor of 1.5.
This circumstance should be taken into account in estimations of parameters of
acceleration of the Universe. According to theoretical estimates, the most
massive - as a rule, magnetic - white dwarfs probably originate from mergers of
white dwarfs of lower mass. At least some magnetic Ap and Bp stars may form in
mergers of low-mass main sequence stars (<1.5 mass of the Sun) with convective
envelopes.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure
HE0107-5240, A Chemically Ancient Star.I. A Detailed Abundance Analysis
We report a detailed abundance analysis for HE0107-5240, a halo giant with
[Fe/H]_NLTE=-5.3. This star was discovered in the course of follow-up
medium-resolution spectroscopy of extremely metal-poor candidates selected from
the digitized Hamburg/ESO objective-prism survey. On the basis of
high-resolution VLT/UVES spectra, we derive abundances for 8 elements (C, N,
Na, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe, and Ni), and upper limits for another 12 elements. A
plane-parallel LTE model atmosphere has been specifically tailored for the
chemical composition of {\he}. Scenarios for the origin of the abundance
pattern observed in the star are discussed. We argue that HE0107-5240 is most
likely not a post-AGB star, and that the extremely low abundances of the
iron-peak, and other elements, are not due to selective dust depletion. The
abundance pattern of HE0107-5240 can be explained by pre-enrichment from a
zero-metallicity type-II supernova of 20-25M_Sun, plus either self-enrichment
with C and N, or production of these elements in the AGB phase of a formerly
more massive companion, which is now a white dwarf. However, significant radial
velocity variations have not been detected within the 52 days covered by our
moderate-and high-resolution spectra. Alternatively, the abundance pattern can
be explained by enrichment of the gas cloud from which HE0107-5240 formed by a
25M_Sun first-generation star exploding as a subluminous SNII, as proposed by
Umeda & Nomoto (2003). We discuss consequences of the existence of HE0107-5240
for low-mass star formation in extremely metal-poor environments, and for
currently ongoing and future searches for the most metal-poor stars in the
Galaxy.Comment: 60 pages, 16 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Evolution of the number of accreting white dwarfs with shell nuclear burning and of occurrence rate of SN Ia
We analyze temporal evolution of the number of accreting white dwarfs with
shell hydrogen burning in semidetached and detached binaries. We consider a
stellar system in which star formation lasts for 10 Gyr with a constant rate,
as well as a system in which the same amount of stars is formed in a single
burst lasting for 1 Gyr. Evolution of the number of white dwarfs is confronted
to the evolution of occurrence rate of events that usually are identified with
SN Ia or accretion-induced collapses, i.e. with accumulation of Chandrasekhar
mass by a white dwarf or a merger of a pair of CO white dwarfs with total mass
not lower than the Chandrasekhar one. In the systems with a burst of star
formation, at 10 Gyr observed supersoft X-ray sources, most probably, are
not precursors of SN Ia. The same is true for an overwhelming majority of the
sources in the systems with constant star formation rate. In the systems of
both kinds mergers of white dwarfs is the dominant SN Ia scenario. In symbiotic
binaries, accreting CO-dwarfs do not accumulate enough mass for SN Ia
explosion, while ONeMg-dwarfs finish their evolution by an accretion-induced
collapse with formation of a neutron star.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, accepted by Astronomy Letter
Various Modes of Helium Mixing in Globular Cluster Giants and Their Possible Effects on the Horizontal Branch Morphology
It has been known for a long time that some red giants in globular clusters
exhibit large star-to-star variations in the abundances of light elements that
are not exhibited by field giants. This fact can be taken as evidence that the
extra mixing mechanism(s) that operate in globular cluster giants may be
consequences of star-star interactions in the dense stellar environment. In
order to constrain the extra mixing mechanism(s), we study the influence of
helium enrichment along the red giant branch (RGB) on the evolution of stars
through the horizontal branch. Three possible modes of helium enrichment are
considered, associated with close encounters of stars in the globular clusters.
We show that as a consequence of the variations in the core mass as well as in
the total mass due to mass loss, the color of horizontal branch models are
distributed over almost all range of horizontal branch. The results are
discussed in relation to the scenario for the origin of the abundance anomalies
and for the effects on the morphology of horizontal branch. We argue that the
star-star interactions can explain not only the source of angular momentum of
rapid rotation but also provide a mechanism for the bimodal distribution of
rotation rates in some globular clusters. We also propose the time elapsed from
the latest core collapse phase during the gravo-thermal oscillations as the
second parameter to explain the variations in HB morphology among the globular
clusters.Comment: 57 pages, 16 figures, to be published on June 2006 in Ap
Reaction rates for Neutron Capture Reactions to C-, N- and O-isotopes to the neutron rich side of stability
The reaction rates of neutron capture reactions on light nuclei are important
for reliably simulating nucleosynthesis in a variety of stellar scenarios.
Neutron capture reaction rates on neutron-rich C-, N-, and O-isotopes are
calculated in the framework of a hybrid compound and direct capture model. The
results are tabulated and compared with the results of previous calculations as
well as with experimental results.Comment: 33 pages (uses revtex) and 9 postscript figures, accepted for
publication in Phys. Rev.
3D Gasdynamic Modelling of the Changes in the Flow Structure During Transition From Quiescent to Active State in Symbiotic Stars
The results of 3D modelling of the flow structure in the classical symbiotic
system Z~Andromedae are presented. Outbursts in systems of this type occur when
the accretion rate exceeds the upper limit of the steady burning range.
Therefore, in order to realize the transition from a quiescent to an active
state it is necessary to find a mechanism able to sufficiently increase the
accretion rate on a time scale typical to the duration of outburst development.
Our calculations have confirmed the transition mechanism from quiescence to
outburst in classic symbiotic systems suggested earlier on the basis of 2D
calculations (Bisikalo et al, 2002). The analysis of our results have shown
that for wind velocity of 20 km/s an accretion disc forms in the system. The
accretion rate for the solution with the disc is ~22.5-25% of the mass loss
rate of the donor, that is, ~4.5-5*10^(-8)Msun/yr for Z And. This value is in
agreement with the steady burning range for white dwarf masses typically
accepted for this system. When the wind velocity increases from 20 to 30 km/s
the accretion disc is destroyed and the matter of the disc falls onto the
accretor's surface. This process is followed by an approximately twofold
accretion rate jump. The resulting accretion rate growth is sufficient for
passing the upper limit of the steady burning range, thereby bringing the
system into an active state. The time during which the accretion rate is above
the steady burning value is in a very good agreement with observations.
The analysis of the results presented here allows us to conclude that small
variations in the donor's wind velocity can lead to the transition from the
disc accretion to the wind accretion and, as a consequence, to the transition
from quiescent to active state in classic symbiotic stars.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figure
The chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood
Recent models of galactic chemical evolution account for updated evolutionary
models of massive stars (with special emphasis on stellar winds) and for the
effects of intermediate mass and massive binaries. The results are summarised.
We also present a critical discussion on possible effects of stellar rotation
on overall galactic chemical evolutionary simulations.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, Pacific Rim Conference, Xi'an, China, 11-17 July
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