5,690 research outputs found
A new method of correcting radial velocity time series for inhomogeneous convection
Magnetic activity strongly impacts stellar RVs and the search for small
planets. We showed previously that in the solar case it induces RV variations
with an amplitude over the cycle on the order of 8 m/s, with signals on short
and long timescales. The major component is the inhibition of the convective
blueshift due to plages. We explore a new approach to correct for this major
component of stellar radial velocities in the case of solar-type stars. The
convective blueshift depends on line depths; we use this property to develop a
method that will characterize the amplitude of this effect and to correct for
this RV component. We build realistic RV time series corresponding to RVs
computed using different sets of lines, including lines in different depth
ranges. We characterize the performance of the method used to reconstruct the
signal without the convective component and the detection limits derived from
the residuals. We identified a set of lines which, combined with a global set
of lines, allows us to reconstruct the convective component with a good
precision and to correct for it. For the full temporal sampling, the power in
the range 100-500~d significantly decreased, by a factor of 100 for a RV noise
below 30 cm/s. We also studied the impact of noise contributions other than the
photon noise, which lead to uncertainties on the RV computation, as well as the
impact of the temporal sampling. We found that these other sources of noise do
not greatly alter the quality of the correction, although they need a better
noise level to reach a similar performance level. A very good correction of the
convective component can be achieved providing very good RV noise levels
combined with a very good instrumental stability and realistic granulation
noise. Under the conditions considered in this paper, detection limits at 480~d
lower than 1 MEarth could be achieved for RV noise below 15 cm/s.Comment: Accepted in A&A 18 July 201
Spontaneous polarization and piezoelectricity in boron nitride nanotubes
Ab initio calculations of the spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric
properties of boron nitride nanotubes show that they are excellent
piezoelectric systems with response values larger than those of piezoelectric
polymers. The intrinsic chiral symmetry of the nanotubes induces an exact
cancellation of the total spontaneous polarization in ideal, isolated nanotubes
of arbitrary indices. Breaking of this symmetry by inter-tube interaction or
elastic deformations induces spontaneous polarization comparable to those of
wurtzite semiconductors.Comment: 5 pages in PRB double column format, 3 figure
Variability of stellar granulation and convective blueshift with spectral type and magnetic activity. I. K and G main sequence stars
In solar-type stars, the attenuation of convective blueshift by stellar
magnetic activity dominates the RV variations over the low amplitude signal
induced by low mass planets. Models of stars that differ from the Sun will
require a good knowledge of the attenuation of the convective blueshift to
estimate its impact on the variations. It is therefore crucial to precisely
determine not only the amplitude of the convective blueshift for different
types of stars, but also the dependence of this convective blueshift on
magnetic activity, as these are key factors in our model producing the RV. We
studied a sample of main sequence stars with spectral types from G0 to K2 and
focused on their temporally averaged properties: the activity level and a
criterion allowing to characterise the amplitude of the convective blueshift.
We find the differential velocity shifts of spectral lines due to convection to
depend on the spectral type, the wavelength (this dependence is correlated with
the Teff and activity level), and on the activity level. This allows us to
quantify the dependence of granulation properties on magnetic activity for
stars other than the Sun. The attenuation factor of the convective blueshift
appears to be constant over the considered range of spectral types. We derive a
convective blueshift which decreases towards lower temperatures, with a trend
in close agreement with models for Teff lower than 5800 K, but with a
significantly larger global amplitude. We finally compare the observed RV
variation amplitudes with those that could be derived from our convective
blueshift using a simple law and find a general agreement on the amplitude. Our
results are consistent with previous results and provide, for the first time,
an estimation of the convective blueshift as a function of Teff, magnetic
activity, and wavelength, over a large sample of G and K main sequence stars
First-principles study of high conductance DNA sequencing with carbon nanotube electrodes
Rapid and cost-effective DNA sequencing at the single nucleotide level might
be achieved by measuring a transverse electronic current as single-stranded DNA
is pulled through a nano-sized pore. In order to enhance the electronic
coupling between the nucleotides and the electrodes and hence the current
signals, we employ a pair of single-walled close-ended (6,6) carbon nanotubes
(CNTs) as electrodes. We then investigate the electron transport properties of
nucleotides sandwiched between such electrodes by using first-principles
quantum transport theory. In particular we consider the extreme case where the
separation between the electrodes is the smallest possible that still allows
the DNA translocation. The benzene-like ring at the end cap of the CNT can
strongly couple with the nucleobases and therefore both reduce conformational
fluctuations and significantly improve the conductance. The optimal molecular
configurations, at which the nucleotides strongly couple to the CNTs, and which
yield the largest transmission, are first identified. Then the electronic
structures and the electron transport of these optimal configurations are
analyzed. The typical tunneling currents are of the order of 50 nA for voltages
up to 1 V. At higher bias, where resonant transport through the molecular
states is possible, the current is of the order of several A. Below 1 V
the currents associated to the different nucleotides are consistently
distinguishable, with adenine having the largest current, guanine the
second-largest, cytosine the third and finally thymine the smallest. We further
calculate the transmission coefficient profiles as the nucleotides are dragged
along the DNA translocation path and investigate the effects of configurational
variations. Based on these results we propose a DNA sequencing protocol
combining three possible data analysis strategies.Comment: 12 pages, 17 figures, 3 table
Non-universal transmission phase behaviour of a large quantum dot
The electron wave function experiences a phase modification at coherent
transmission through a quantum dot. This transmission phase undergoes a
characteristic shift of when scanning through a Coulomb-blockade
resonance. Between successive resonances either a transmission phase lapse of
or a phase plateau is theoretically expected to occur depending on the
parity of the corresponding quantum dot states. Despite considerable
experimental effort, this transmission phase behaviour has remained elusive for
a large quantum dot. Here we report on transmission phase measurements across
such a large quantum dot hosting hundreds of electrons. Using an original
electron two-path interferometer to scan the transmission phase along fourteen
successive resonances, we observe both phase lapses and plateaus. Additionally,
we demonstrate that quantum dot deformation alters the sequence of transmission
phase lapses and plateaus via parity modifications of the involved quantum dot
states. Our findings set a milestone towards a comprehensive understanding of
the transmission phase of quantum dots.Comment: Main paper: 18 pages, 5 figures, Supplementary materials: 8 pages, 4
figure
Entanglement of a Mesoscopic Field with an Atom induced by Photon Graininess in a Cavity
We observe that a mesoscopic field made of several tens of microwave photons
exhibits quantum features when interacting with a single Rydberg atom in a
high-Q cavity. The field is split into two components whose phases differ by an
angle inversely proportional to the square root of the average photon number.
The field and the atomic dipole are phase-entangled. These manifestations of
photon graininess vanish at the classical limit. This experiment opens the way
to studies of large Schrodinger cat states at the quantum-classical boundary
Dynamic reconfiguration of human brain networks during learning
Human learning is a complex phenomenon requiring flexibility to adapt
existing brain function and precision in selecting new neurophysiological
activities to drive desired behavior. These two attributes -- flexibility and
selection -- must operate over multiple temporal scales as performance of a
skill changes from being slow and challenging to being fast and automatic. Such
selective adaptability is naturally provided by modular structure, which plays
a critical role in evolution, development, and optimal network function. Using
functional connectivity measurements of brain activity acquired from initial
training through mastery of a simple motor skill, we explore the role of
modularity in human learning by identifying dynamic changes of modular
organization spanning multiple temporal scales. Our results indicate that
flexibility, which we measure by the allegiance of nodes to modules, in one
experimental session predicts the relative amount of learning in a future
session. We also develop a general statistical framework for the identification
of modular architectures in evolving systems, which is broadly applicable to
disciplines where network adaptability is crucial to the understanding of
system performance.Comment: Main Text: 19 pages, 4 figures Supplementary Materials: 34 pages, 4
figures, 3 table
Quantum Flexoelectricity in Low Dimensional Systems
Symmetry breaking at surfaces and interfaces and the capability to support
large strain gradients in nanoscale systems enable new forms of
electromechanical coupling. Here we introduce the concept of quantum
flexoelectricity, a phenomenon that is manifested when the mechanical
deformation of non-polar quantum systems results in the emergence of net dipole
moments and hence linear electromechanical coupling proportional to local
curvature. The concept is illustrated in carbon systems, including
polyacetylene and nano graphitic ribbons. Using density functional theory
calculations for systems made of up to 400 atoms, we determine the
flexoelectric coefficients to be of the order of ~ 0.1 e, in agreement with the
prediction of linear theory. The implications of quantum flexoelectricity on
electromechanical device applications, and physics of carbon based materials
are discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure
Empirical scaling of antisymmetric stratified wakes
Proceedings of the "Bluff Body Wakes and Vortex-Induced Vibrations - BBVIV-4"Initially turbulent wakes of a propelled cylinder at nonzero angles of yaw to the mean flow were measured in the horizontal centerplane plane up to approximately 100 buoyancy times, where vertical velocities are very small. The profiles of mean velocity were found to be antisymmetric throughout their lifetime, with both width and maximum velocity decaying at the same rate as previously studied momentum wakes. The maximum velocity of the profile is proportional to the angle of yaw, but the width is constant. Both the mean flow and fluctuating quantities show that the late wake is self-similar, with scaling laws that are consistent with previous work on propelled and drag wakes
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