89 research outputs found
153 MHz GMRT follow-up of steep-spectrum diffuse emission in galaxy clusters
In this paper we present new high sensitivity 153 MHz Giant Meterwave Radio
Telescope follow-up observations of the diffuse steep spectrum cluster radio
sources in the galaxy clusters Abell 521, Abell 697, Abell 1682. Abell 521
hosts a relic, and together with Abell 697 it also hosts a giant very steep
spectrum radio halo. Abell 1682 is a more complex system with candidate steep
spectrum diffuse emission. We imaged the diffuse radio emission in these
clusters at 153 MHz, and provided flux density measurements of all the sources
at this frequency. Our new flux density measurements, coupled with the existing
data at higher frequencies, allow us to study the total spectrum of the halos
and relic over at least one order of magnitude in frequency. Our images confirm
the presence of a very steep "diffuse component" in Abell 1682. We found that
the spectrum of the relic in Abell 521 can be fitted by a single power-law with
from 153 MHz to 5 GHz. Moreover, we confirm that the halos
in Abell 521 and Abell 697 have a very steep spectrum, with
and respectively. Even with the inclusion of the 153 MHz
flux density information it is impossible to discriminate between power-law and
curved spectra, as derived from homogeneous turbulent re-acceleration. The
latter are favored on the basis of simple energetic arguments, and we expect
that LOFAR will finally unveil the shape of the spectra of radio halos below
100 MHz, thus providing clues on their origin.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in A&
Investigation of the double-lobed sources of the Cygnus constellation core
We present a collection of double-lobed sources towards a area of the Cygnus region at the northern sky, observed at 325 and 610 MHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. The 10 resolution achieved at 325 MHz is 5.5 times better than previous studies, while at 610 MHz, these are the first results ever of such a large area, mapped with 6 angular resolution. After a thorough visual inspection of the images at the two bands, we found 43 double-lobed source candidates, proposed as such due to the presence of 2 bright peaks, within a few arcminutes apart, joined by a bridge or a central nucleus. All but two are presented here as a double-lobed candidates for the first time. Thirty nine of the candidates were covered at both bands, and we provide the spectral index information for them. We have searched for positional coincidences between the detected sources/components and other objects from the literature, along the electromagnetic spectrum. Twenty-three candidates possess radio counterpart(s), 12 present infrared counterparts, and 1 showed an overlapping X-ray source. We analysed each candidate considering morphology, counterparts, and spectral indices. Out of the 43 candidates, 37 show characteristics compatible with an extragalactic nature, 2 of probably Galactic origin, 3 remain as dubious cases, though with feature(s) compatible with an extragalactic nature, and the remaining one, evidence of physically unrelated components. The median spectral index of the 40 putative extragalactic sources is . Their celestial surface density at 610 MHz resulted in , across a region lying at the Galactic plane.Fil: Saponara, Juliana. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía; ArgentinaFil: Benaglia, Paula. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía; ArgentinaFil: Andruchow, Ileana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas. Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ishwara Chandra, C. H.. National Centre For Radio Astrophysics; IndiaFil: Intema, H. T.. University of Western Australia; Australi
A search for pulsars in subdwarf B binary systems and discovery of giant-pulse emitting PSR J0533-4524
Binary millisecond pulsars (MSPs) provide several opportunities for research
of fundamental physics. However, finding them can be challenging. Several
subdwarf B (sdB) binary systems with possible neutron star companions have been
identified, allowing us to perform a targeted search for MSPs within these
systems. Six sdBs with companions in the neutron star mass range, as determined
from their optical light curves, were observed with the Green Bank and
Westerbork radio telescopes. The data were searched for periodic signals as
well as single pulses. No radio pulsations from sdB systems were detected, down
to an average sensitivity limit of 0.11 mJy. We did, however, discover a pulsar
in the field of sdB HE0532-4503. Follow-up observations with the Giant
Metrewave Radio Telescope showed that this pulsar, J0533-4524, is not spatially
coincident with the sdB system. The pulsar has a relatively low magnetic field
but still emits giant pulses. We place an upper limit of three to the number of
radio pulsars in the six sdB systems. The non-detections may be explained by a
combination of the MSP beaming fraction, luminosity, and a recycling fraction
<0.5. Alternatively, the assumption of co-rotation between the MSP and sdB may
break down, which implies the systems are more edge-on than previously thought.
This would shift the predicted companion masses into the white dwarf range. It
would also explain the relative lack of edge-on sdB systems with massive
companions.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
GRB 030329: 3 years of radio afterglow monitoring
Radio observations of gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows are essential for our
understanding of the physics of relativistic blast waves, as they enable us to
follow the evolution of GRB explosions much longer than the afterglows in any
other wave band. We have performed a three-year monitoring campaign of GRB
030329 with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescopes (WSRT) and the Giant
Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). Our observations, combined with observations
at other wavelengths, have allowed us to determine the GRB blast wave physical
parameters, such as the total burst energy and the ambient medium density, as
well as investigate the jet nature of the relativistic outflow. Further, by
modeling the late-time radio light curve of GRB 030329, we predict that the
Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR, 30-240 MHz) will be able to observe afterglows of
similar GRBs, and constrain the physics of the blast wave during its
non-relativistic phase.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A, vol.365, p.1241,
proceedings of the Royal Society Scientific Discussion Meeting, London,
September 200
3C459: A highly asymmetric radio galaxy with a starburst
Multifrequency radio observations of the radio galaxy 3C459 using MERLIN, VLA
and the EVN, and an optical HST image using the F702W filter are presented. The
galaxy has a very asymmetric radio structure, a high infrared luminosity and a
young stellar population. The eastern component of the double-lobed structure
is brighter, much closer to the nucleus and is significantly less polarized
than the western one. This is consistent with the jet on the eastern side
interacting with dense gas, which could be due to a merged companion or dense
cloud of gas. The HST image of the galaxy presented here exhibits filamentary
structures, and is compared with the MERLIN 5-GHz radio map. EVN observations
of the prominent central component, which has a steep radio spectrum, show a
strongly curved structure suggesing a bent or helical radio jet. The radio
structure of 3C459 is compared with other highly asymmetric, Fanaroff-Riley II
radio sources, which are also good candidates for studying jet-cloud
interactions. Such sources are usually of small linear size and it is possible
that the jets are interacting with clouds of infalling gas that fuel the radio
source.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, 2 table
Nanoporous Solid-State Sensitization of Triplet Fusion Upconversion
Photochemical upconversion of green to blue light is demonstrated in thin films of nanostructured alumina stained with a metalloporphyrin sensitizer. The pores of the structure are filled with emitter molecules in a concentrated solution, allowing efficient upconversion within the solid-state scaffold. The photon generation quantum yield is measured to be 9.4%, which is nearly 40% of what is possible with a diphenylanthracene emitter. These results show that high-efficiency upconversion is possible with solid-state sensitization within a nanostructured thin-film architecture
GMRT 150 MHz follow up of diffuse steep spectrum radio emission in galaxy clusters
It has been recently found that a few galaxy clusters host diffuse radio halo
emission with very steep synchrotron spectra ( > 1.6), which may be
classified as Ultra Steep Spectrum Radio Halos (USSRHs). USSRHs are expected in
the turbulence re-acceleration model for the origin of cluster radio halos, and
are best discovered and studied at low frequencies. We performed GMRT follow up
observations of three galaxy clusters at 150MHz, selected from the GMRT radio
halo survey, which are known to host an USSRH or candidate very steep spectrum
diffuse emission. This project is aimed to characterize the low frequency
spectrum of USSRHs for a detailed study of their origin and connection with
cluster mergers. We present preliminary results at 150 MHz of the cluster A697.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of the conference "Non-thermal
phenomena in colliding galaxy clusters" (Nice, 15-18 November 2010
On the origin of the various types of radio emission in GRS 1915+105
We investigate the association between the radio ``plateau'' states and the
large superluminal flares in GRS 1915+105 and propose a qualitative scenario to
explain this association. We identify several candidate superluminal flare
events from available monitoring data on this source and analyze the
contemporaneous RXTE pointed observations. We detect a strong correlation
between the average X-ray flux during the ``plateau'' state and the total
energy emitted in radio during the subsequent radio flare. We find that the
sequence of events is similar for all large radio flares with a fast rise and
exponential decay morphology. Based on these results, we propose a qualitative
scenario in which the separating ejecta during the superluminal flares are
observed due to the interaction of the matter blob ejected during the X-ray
soft dips, with the steady jet already established during the ``plateau''
state. This picture can explain all types of radio emission observed from this
source in terms of its X-ray emission characteristics.Comment: Corrected typo in the author names, contents unchanged, accepted in
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