19,956 research outputs found
Multispectral scanner optical system
An optical system for use in a multispectral scanner of the type used in video imaging devices is disclosed. Electromagnetic radiation reflected by a rotating scan mirror is focused by a concave primary telescope mirror and collimated by a second concave mirror. The collimated beam is split by a dichroic filter which transmits radiant energy in the infrared spectrum and reflects visible and near infrared energy. The long wavelength beam is filtered and focused on an infrared detector positioned in a cryogenic environment. The short wavelength beam is dispersed by a pair of prisms, then projected on an array of detectors also mounted in a cryogenic environment and oriented at an angle relative to the optical path of the dispersed short wavelength beam
Phonon-affected steady-state transport through molecular quantum dots
We consider transport through a vibrating molecular quantum dot contacted to
macroscopic leads acting as charge reservoirs. In the equilibrium and
nonequilibrium regime, we study the formation of a polaron-like transient state
at the quantum dot for all ratios of the dot-lead coupling to the energy of the
local phonon mode. We show that the polaronic renormalization of the dot-lead
coupling is a possible mechanism for negative differential conductance.
Moreover, the effective dot level follows one of the lead chemical potentials
to enhance resonant transport, causing novel features in the inelastic
tunneling signal. In the linear response regime, we investigate the impact of
the electron-phonon interaction on the thermoelectrical properties of the
quantum dot device.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, FQMT11 Proceeding
Chemical Evolution in the Carina Dwarf Spheroidal
We present metallicities for 487 red giants in the Carina dwarf spheroidal
(dSph) galaxy that were obtained from FLAMES low-resolution Ca triplet (CaT)
spectroscopy. We find a mean [Fe/H] of -1.91 dex with an intrinsic dispersion
of 0.25 dex, whereas the full spread in metallicities is at least one dex. The
analysis of the radial distribution of metallicities reveals that an excess of
metal poor stars resides in a region of larger axis distances. These results
can constrain evolutionary models and are discussed in the context of chemical
evolution in the Carina dSph.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the proceedings of the
ESO/Arcetri-workshop on "Chemical Abundances and Mixing in Stars", 13.-17.
Sep. 2004, Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy, L. Pasquini, S. Randich (eds.
A para-differential renormalization technique for nonlinear dispersive equations
For \alpha \in (1,2) we prove that the initial-value problem \partial_t
u+D^\alpha\partial_x u+\partial_x(u^2/2)=0 on \mathbb{R}_x\times\mathbb{R}_t;
u(0)=\phi, is globally well-posed in the space of real-valued L^2-functions. We
use a frequency dependent renormalization method to control the strong low-high
frequency interactions.Comment: 42 pages, no figure
Permits vs. Offsets Under Investment Uncertainty
A global crediting mechanism would enable developing countries without binding emissions reduction targets to participate in the international carbon market. Linking the framework on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) as an offset program to major cap-and-trade programs is a particularly promising approach to increase both climate finance and cost-efficiency. However, the coexistence of permits and offsets also creates a classic case of interaction effects. In this paper, we explore how the availability of multiple compliance instruments affects energy investment incentives. Alternative trading and linkage schemes are compared using a real options model of firm-level investment decisions under stochastic prices and the ability to delay investments. We first isolate the critical design factors that drive private investments in the energy sector. We then identify policy regimes that balance the different concerns in the polarized debate for and against the inclusion of forest carbon offsets
Solving Four Dimensional Field Theories with the Dirichlet Fivebrane
The realization of four dimensional super Yang-Mills theories in
terms of a single Dirichlet fivebrane in type IIB string theory is considered.
A classical brane computation reproduces the full quantum low energy effective
action. This result has a simple explanation in terms of mirror symmetry.Comment: Final version to appear in Phys. Rev.
Cores and Cusps in the Dwarf Spheroidals
We consider the problem of determining the structure of the dark halo of
nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) from the spherical Jeans equations.
Whether the dark halos are cusped or cored at the centre is an important
strategic problem in modern astronomy. The observational data comprise the
line-of-sight velocity dispersion of a luminous tracer population. We show that
when such data are analysed to find the dark matter density with the spherical
Poisson and Jeans equations, then the generic solution is a dark halo density
that is cusped like an isothermal. Although milder cusps (like the
Navarro-Frenk-White 1/r cusp and even cores are possible, they are not generic.
Such solutions exist only if the anisotropy parameter beta and the logarithmic
slope of the stellar density gamma satisfy the constraint gamma = 2 x beta at
the centre or if the radial velocity dispersion falls to zero at the centre.
This surprisingly strong statement is really a consequence of the assumption of
spherical symmetry, and the consequent coordinate singularity at the origin.
So, for example, a dSph with an exponential light profile can exist in
Navarro-Frenk- White halo and have a flat velocity dispersion, but anisotropy
in general drives the dark halo solution to an isothermal cusp. The identified
cusp or core is therefore a consequence of the assumptions (particularly of
spherical symmetry and isotropy), and not the data.Comment: MNRAS, in pres
A study of rotating globular clusters - the case of the old, metal-poor globular cluster NGC 4372
Aims: We present the first in-depth study of the kinematic properties and
derive the structural parameters of NGC 4372 based on the fit of a Plummer
profile and a rotating, physical model. We explore the link between internal
rotation to different cluster properties and together with similar studies of
more GCs, we put these in the context of globular cluster formation and
evolution. Methods: We present radial velocities for 131 cluster member stars
measured from high-resolution FLAMES/GIRAFFE observations. Their membership to
the GC is additionally confirmed from precise metallicity estimates. Using this
kinematic data set we build a velocity dispersion profile and a systemic
rotation curve. Additionally, we obtain an elliptical number density profile of
NGC 4372 based on optical images using a MCMC fitting algorithm. From this we
derive the cluster's half-light radius and ellipticity as r_h=3.4'+/-0.04' and
e=0.08+/-0.01. Finally, we give a physical interpretation of the observed
morphological and kinematic properties of this GC by fitting an axisymmetric,
differentially rotating, dynamical model. Results: Our results show that NGC
4372 has an unusually high ratio of rotation amplitude to velocity dispersion
(1.2 vs. 4.5 km/s) for its metallicity. This, however, puts it in line with two
other exceptional, very metal-poor GCs - M 15 and NGC 4590. We also find a mild
flattening of NGC 4372 in the direction of its rotation. Given its old age,
this suggests that the flattening is indeed caused by the systemic rotation
rather than tidal interactions with the Galaxy. Additionally, we estimate the
dynamical mass of the GC M_dyn=2.0+/-0.5 x 10^5 M_Sun based on the dynamical
model, which constrains the mass-to-light ratio of NGC 4372 between 1.4 and 2.3
M_Sun/L_Sun, representative of an old, purely stellar population.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 12 pages, 14 figures, 2 table
Precision of Quantization of the Hall Conductivity in a Sample of Finite Size: Power Law
A microscopic calculation of the conductivity in the integer quantum Hall
effect (IQHE) regime is carried out. The problem of precision of quantization
is analyzed for samples of finite size. It is demonstrated that the precision
of quantization shows a power-law dependence on the sample size. A new scaling
parameter describing a dependence of this kind is introduced. It is also
demonstrated that the precision of quantization linearly depends on the ratio
between the amplitude of the chaotic potential and the cyclotron energy. The
results obtained are compared with the magnetotransport measurements in
mesoscopic samples.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
Further Evidence for a Merger Origin for the Thick Disk: Galactic Stars Along Lines-of-sight to Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxies
The history of the Milky Way Galaxy is written in the properties of its
stellar populations. Here we analyse stars observed as part of surveys of local
dwarf spheroidal galaxies, but which from their kinematics are highly probable
to be non-members. The selection function -- designed to target metal-poor
giants in the dwarf galaxies, at distances of ~100kpc -- includes F-M dwarfs in
the Milky Way, at distances of up to several kpc. Thestars whose motions are
analysed here lie in the cardinal directions of Galactic longitude l ~ 270 and
l ~ 90, where the radial velocity is sensitive to the orbital rotational
velocity. We demonstrate that the faint F/G stars contain a significant
population with V_phi ~ 100km/s, similar to that found by a targeted, but
limited in areal coverage, survey of thick-disk/halo stars by Gilmore, Wyse &
Norris (2002). This value of mean orbital rotation does not match either the
canonical thick disk or the stellar halo. We argue that this population,
detected at both l ~ 270 and l ~ 90, has the expected properties of `satellite
debris' in the thick-disk/halo interface, which we interpret as remnants of the
merger that heated a pre-existing thin disk to form the thick disk.Comment: Accepted, Astrophysical Journal Letter
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