Spectroscopic and physical parameters of Galactic O-type stars. II. Observational constraints on projected rotational and extra broadening velocities as a function of fundamental parameters and stellar evolution

Rotation is of key importance for the evolution of hot massive stars, however, the rotational velocities of these stars are difficult to determine. Based on our own data for 31 Galactic O stars and incorporating similar data for 86 OB supergiants from the literature, we aim at investigating the properties of rotational and extra line-broadening as a function of stellar parameters and at testing model predictions about the evolution of stellar rotation. Fundamental stellar parameters were determined by means of the code FASTWIND. Projected rotational and extra broadening velocities originate from a combined Ft + GOF method. Model calculations published previously were used to estimate the initial evolutionary masses. The sample O stars with Minit > 50 Msun rotate with less that 26% of their break-up velocity, and they also lack objects with v sin i 35 Msun on the hotter side of the bi-stability jump, the observed and predicted rotational rates agree quite well; for those on the cooler side of the jump, the measured velocities are systematically higher than the predicted ones. In general, the derived extra broadening velocities decrease toward cooler Teff, whilst for later evolutionary phases they appear, at the same v sin i, higher for high-mass stars than for low-mass ones. None of the sample stars shows extra broadening velocities higher than 110 km/s. For the majority of the more massive stars, extra broadening either dominates or is in strong competition with rotation. Conclusions: For OB stars of solar metallicity, extra broadening is important and has to be accounted for in the analysis. When appearing at or close to the zero-age main sequence, most of the single and more massive stars rotate slower than previously thought. Model predictions for the evolution of rotation in hot massive stars may need to be updated.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A &

Temperature Dependence of Exciton Diffusion in Conjugated Polymers

The temperature dependence of the exciton dynamics in a conjugated polymer is studied using time-resolved spectroscopy. Photoluminescence decays were measured in heterostructured samples containing a sharp polymer-fullerene interface, which acts as an exciton quenching wall. Using a 1D diffusion model, the exciton diffusion length and diffusion coefficient were extracted in the temperature range of 4-293 K. The exciton dynamics reveal two temperature regimes: in the range of 4-150 K, the exciton diffusion length (coefficient) of ~3 nm (~1.5 × 10-4 cm2/s) is nearly temperature independent. Increasing the temperature up to 293 K leads to a gradual growth up to 4.5 nm (~3.2 × 10-4 cm2/s). This demonstrates that exciton diffusion in conjugated polymers is governed by two processes: an initial downhill migration toward lower energy states in the inhomogenously broadened density of states, followed by temperature activated hopping. The latter process is switched off below 150 K.

Zel'dovich states with very small mass and charge in nonlinear electrodynamics coupled to gravity

It is shown that in non-linear electrodynamics (in particular, Born-Infeld one) in the framework of general relativity there exist "weakly singular" configurations such that (i) the proper mass M is finite in spite of divergences of the energy density, (ii) the electric charge q and Schwarzschild mass m ~ q can be made as small as one likes, (iv) all field and energy distributions are concentrated in the core region. This region has an almost zero surface area but a finite longitudinal size L=2M. Such configurations can be viewed as a new version of a classical analogue of an elementary particle.Comment: 11 pages. 1 reference added. To appear in Grav. Cosm

Mode-locking of incommensurate phase by quantum zero point energy in the Frenkel-Kontorova model

In this paper, it is shown that a configuration modulated system described by the Frenkel-Kontorova model can be locked at an incommensurate phase when the quantum zero point energy is taken into account. It is also found that the specific heat for an incommensurate phase shows different parameter-dependence in sliding phase and pinning phase. These findings provide a possible way for experimentalists to verify the phase transition by breaking of analyticity.Comment: 6 pages in Europhys style, 3 eps figure

Study of the characteristics of photoresistors based on hydrochemically deposited films of Pb0.902Sn0.098Se solid solution

Experimental samples of photoresistors based on a Pb0. 902Sn0. 098Se-solid solution semiconductor films obtained by the layer-by-layer deposition of individual selenides of lead and tin(II) with subsequent thermal activation are developed. The structure and morphology of the thin-film compositions (SnSe-PbSe)2 are studied. The temperature dependences of the dark resistance, signal, noise and its ratio, as well as the frequency and spectral characteristics of photoresistors fabricated on the basis of Pb0. 902Sn0. 098Se films in the range of 205-300 K are studied. The optimal bias voltages are determined. It is shown that the location of the maximum and the right boundary of the photoresponse for Pb0. 902Sn0. 098Se-based photoresistors is shifted, in comparison with PbSe, toward the long-wavelength region by 0. 7 μm. The maximal detectivity of the studied photoresistors (2. 0 × 2. 0 mm) obtained at 230 K was 9 × 109 cm W-1 Hz1/2. The advantages of using the Pb0. 902Sn0. 098Se-based photoresistors in the spectral range of 3. 0-5. 5 μm compared with PbSe-based ones are shown. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Coherent Stranski-Krastanov growth in 1+1 dimensions with anharmonic interactions: An equilibrium study

The formation of coherently strained three-dimensional islands on top of the wetting layer in Stranski-Krastanov mode of growth is considered in a model in 1+1 dimensions accounting for the anharmonicity and non-convexity of the real interatomic forces. It is shown that coherent 3D islands can be expected to form in compressed rather than in expanded overlayers beyond a critical lattice misfit. In the latter case the classical Stranski-Krastanov growth is expected to occur because the misfit dislocations can become energetically favored at smaller island sizes. The thermodynamic reason for coherent 3D islanding is the incomplete wetting owing to the weaker adhesion of the edge atoms. Monolayer height islands with a critical size appear as necessary precursors of the 3D islands. The latter explains the experimentally observed narrow size distribution of the 3D islands. The 2D-3D transformation takes place by consecutive rearrangements of mono- to bilayer, bi- to trilayer islands, etc., after exceeding the corresponding critical sizes. The rearrangements are initiated by nucleation events each next one requiring to overcome a lower energetic barrier. The model is in good qualitative agreement with available experimental observations.Comment: 12 pages text, 15 figures, Accepted in Phys.Rev.B, Vol.61, No2