2,173 research outputs found
A New Method for Calculating Arrival Distribution of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays above 10^19 eV with Modifications by the Galactic Magnetic Field
We present a new method for calculating arrival distribution of UHECRs
including modifications by the galactic magnetic field. We perform numerical
simulations of UHE anti-protons, which are injected isotropically at the earth,
in the Galaxy and record the directions of velocities at the earth and outside
the Galaxy for all of the trajectories. We then select some of them so that the
resultant mapping of the velocity directions outside the Galaxy of the selected
trajectories corresponds to a given source location scenario, applying
Liouville's theorem. We also consider energy loss processes of UHE protons in
the intergalactic space. Applying this method to our source location scenario
which is adopted in our recent study and can explain the AGASA observation
above 4 \times 10^{19} eV, we calculate the arrival distribution of UHECRs
including lower energy (E>10^19 eV) ones. We find that our source model can
reproduce the large-scale isotropy and the small-scale anisotropy on UHECR
arrival distribution above 10^19 eV observed by the AGASA. We also demonstrate
the UHECR arrival distribution above 10^19 eV with the event number expected by
future experiments in the next few years. The interesting feature of the
resultant arrival distribution is the arrangement of the clustered events in
the order of their energies, reflecting the directions of the galactic magnetic
field. This is also pointed out by Alvarez-Muniz et al.(2002). This feature
will allow us to obtain some kind of information about the composition of
UHECRs and the magnetic field with increasing amount of data.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, to appear in the Astrophysical Journa
On exposure, vulnerability and violence: Spatial distribution of risk factors for climate change and violent conflict across Kenya and Uganda
Recent studies discuss the link between climate change and violent conflict, especially for East Africa. While there is extensive literature on the question whether climate change increases the risk of violent conflict onset, not much is known about where a climate-conflict link is most likely to be found. We address this question by analyzing the spatial distribution of the factors commonly associated with a high exposure and vulnerability to climate change, and a high risk of violent conflict onset in Kenya and Uganda. Drawing on recent literature and quantitative data for the period 1998–2008, we develop various specifications of a composite risk index (CRI) with a spatial resolution of half a degree for Kenya and Uganda in the year 2008. A quantitative comparison with conflict data for the year 2008 provides support for the composite risk index. Finally, the composite risk index is contrasted with the findings of three qualitative case studies, which provide mixed support for the index and help to identify its strengths and weaknesses as well as conceptual needs for further quantitative studies on climate change and violent conflict
The optical depth of the Universe to ultrahigh energy cosmic ray scattering in the magnetized large scale structure
This paper provides an analytical description of the transport of ultrahigh
energy cosmic rays in an inhomogeneously magnetized intergalactic medium. This
latter is modeled as a collection of magnetized scattering centers such as
radio cocoons, magnetized galactic winds, clusters or magnetized filaments of
large scale structure, with negligible magnetic fields in between. Magnetic
deflection is no longer a continuous process, it is rather dominated by
scattering events. We study the interaction between high energy cosmic rays and
the scattering agents. We then compute the optical depth of the Universe to
cosmic ray scattering and discuss the phenomological consequences for various
source scenarios. For typical parameters of the scattering centers, the optical
depth is greater than unity at 5x10^{19}eV, but the total angular deflection is
smaller than unity. One important consequence of this scenario is the
possibility that the last scattering center encountered by a cosmic ray be
mistaken with the source of this cosmic ray. In particular, we suggest that
part of the correlation recently reported by the Pierre Auger Observatory may
be affected by such delusion: this experiment may be observing in part the last
scattering surface of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays rather than their source
population. Since the optical depth falls rapidly with increasing energy, one
should probe the arrival directions of the highest energy events beyond
10^{20}eV on an event by event basis to circumvent this effect.Comment: version to appear in PRD; substantial improvements: extended
introduction, sections added on angular images and on direction dependent
effects with sky maps of optical depth, enlarged discussion of Auger results
(conclusions unchanged); 27 pages, 9 figure
Distortion of Ultra-high-energy sky by Galactic Magnetic Field
We investigate the deflections of UHE protons by Galactic magnetic field(GMF)
using four conventional GMF models in order to discuss the positional
correlation between the arrival distribution of UHECRs and their sources. UHE
protons coming from the direction around the Galactic center are highly
deflected above by the dipole magnetic field during their
propagation in Galactic space. However, in bisymmetric spiral field models,
there are directions with the deflection angle below . One of these
directions is toward Centaurus A, the nearest radio-loud active galactic nuclei
that is one of possible candidates of UHECR sources. On the other hand, UHE
protons arriving from the direction of the anti-Galactic center are less
deflected, especially in bisymmetric spiral field models. Thus, the northern
hemisphere, not including the Galactic center, is suitable for the studies of
correlation with sources. The dependence on model parameters is also
investigated. The deflection angles of UHE protons are dependent on the pitch
angle of the spiral field. We also investigate distortion of the supergalactic
plane by GMF. Since the distortion in the direction around Galactic center
strongly depends on the GMF model, we can obtain information on GMF around
Galactic center if Pierre Auger Observatory finds the significant positional
correlation around the supergalactic plane.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Ap
Variational assimilation of Lagrangian data in oceanography
We consider the assimilation of Lagrangian data into a primitive equations
circulation model of the ocean at basin scale. The Lagrangian data are
positions of floats drifting at fixed depth. We aim at reconstructing the
four-dimensional space-time circulation of the ocean. This problem is solved
using the four-dimensional variational technique and the adjoint method. In
this problem the control vector is chosen as being the initial state of the
dynamical system. The observed variables, namely the positions of the floats,
are expressed as a function of the control vector via a nonlinear observation
operator. This method has been implemented and has the ability to reconstruct
the main patterns of the oceanic circulation. Moreover it is very robust with
respect to increase of time-sampling period of observations. We have run many
twin experiments in order to analyze the sensitivity of our method to the
number of floats, the time-sampling period and the vertical drift level. We
compare also the performances of the Lagrangian method to that of the classical
Eulerian one. Finally we study the impact of errors on observations.Comment: 31 page
Damped finite-time-singularity driven by noise
We consider the combined influence of linear damping and noise on a dynamical
finite-time-singularity model for a single degree of freedom. We find that the
noise effectively resolves the finite-time-singularity and replaces it by a
first-passage-time or absorbing state distribution with a peak at the
singularity and a long time tail. The damping introduces a characteristic
cross-over time. In the early time regime the probability distribution and
first-passage-time distribution show a power law behavior with scaling exponent
depending on the ratio of the non linear coupling strength to the noise
strength. In the late time regime the behavior is controlled by the damping.
The study might be of relevance in the context of hydrodynamics on a nanometer
scale, in material physics, and in biophysics.Comment: 9 pages, 4 eps-figures, revtex4 fil
Para to Ortho transition of metallic dimers on Si(001)
Extensive electronic structure calculations are performed to obtain the
stable geometries of metals like Al, Ga and In on the Si(001) surface at 0.5 ML
and 1 ML coverages. Our results coupled with previous theoretical findings
explain the recent experimental data in a comprehensive fashion. At low
coverages, as shown by previous works, `Para' dimers give the lowest energy
structure. With increasing coverage beyond 0.5 ML, `Ortho' dimers become part
of low energy configurations leading toward a `Para' to `Ortho' transition at 1
ML coverage. For In mixed staggered dimers (`Ortho' and `Para') give the lowest
energy configuration. For Ga, mixed dimers are non-staggered, while for Al
`Para' to `Ortho' transition of dimers is complete. Thus at intermediate
coverages between 0.5 and 1 ML, the `Ortho' and `Para' dimers may coexist on
the surface. Consequently, this may be an explanation of the fact that the
experimental observations can be successfully interpreted using either
orientation. A supported zigzag structure at 0.5 ML, which resembles , does not undergo a dimerization transition, and hence stays
semi-metallic. Also, unlike the soliton formation is ruled out
for this structure.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure
Stock mechanics: predicting recession in S&P500, DJIA, and NASDAQ
An original method, assuming potential and kinetic energy for prices and
conservation of their sum is developed for forecasting exchanges. Connections
with power law are shown. Semiempirical applications on S&P500, DJIA, and
NASDAQ predict a coming recession in them. An emerging market, Istanbul Stock
Exchange index ISE-100 is found involving a potential to continue to rise.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure
Arrival Distribution of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays: Prospects for the Future
We predict the arrival distribution of UHECRs above eV
with the event number expected by future experiments in the next few years. We
perform event simulations with the source model which is adopted in our recent
study and can explain the current AGASA observation. At first, we calculate the
harmonic amplitude and the two point correlation function for the simulated
event sets. We find that significant anisotropy on large angle scale will be
observed when cosmic rays above eV are detected
by future experiments. The statistics of the two point correlation function
will also increase. The angle scale at which the events have strong correlation
with each other corresponds to deflection angle of UHECR in propagating in the
EGMF, which in turn can be determined by the future observations. We further
investigate the relation between the number of events clustered at a direction
and the distance of their sources. Despite the limited amount of data, we find
that the C2 triplet events observed by the AGASA may originate from the source
within 100 Mpc. Merger galaxy Arp 299 (NGC 3690 + IC 694) is the best candidate
for their source. If data accumulate, the UHECR sources within Mpc
can be identified from observed event clusterings significantly. This will
provide some kinds of information about poorly known parameters which influence
the propagation of UHECRs, such as extragalactic and galactic magnetic field,
chemical composition of observed cosmic rays. Also, we will reveal their origin
with our method to identify the sources of UHECR. Finally, we predict the
arrival distribution of UHECRs above eV, which is expected to be
observed if the current HiRes spectrum is correct, and discuss their
statistical features and implications.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures. accepted version for publication in Ap
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