89 research outputs found

    Plasmon resonances of highly doped two-dimensional MoS2

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    The exhibition of plasmon resonances in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor compounds is desirable for many applications. Here, by electrochemically intercalating lithium into 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflakes, plasmon resonances in the visible and near UV wavelength ranges are achieved. These plasmon resonances are controlled by the high doping level of the nanoflakes after the intercalation, producing two distinct resonance peak areas based on the crystal arrangements. The system is also benchmarked for biosensing using bovine serum albumin. This work provides a foundation for developing future 2D MoS2 based biological and optical units

    Searching for ejected supernova companions in the era of precise proper motion and radial velocity measurements

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    The majority of massive stars are born in binaries, and most unbind upon the first supernova. With precise proper motion surveys such as Gaia, it is possible to trace back the motion of stars in the vicinity of young remnants to search for ejected companions. Establishing the fraction of remnants with an ejected companion, and the photometric and kinematic properties of these stars, offers unique insight into supernova progenitor systems. In this paper, we employ binary population synthesis to produce kinematic and photometric predictions for ejected secondary stars. We demonstrate that the unbound neutron star velocity distribution from supernovae in binaries closely traces the input kicks. Therefore, the observed distribution of neutron star velocities should be representative of their natal kicks. We evaluate the probability for any given filter, magnitude limit, minimum measurable proper motion (as a function of magnitude), temporal baseline, distance and extinction that an unbound companion can be associated with a remnant. We compare our predictions with results from previous companion searches, and demonstrate that the current sample of stars ejected by the supernova of their companion can be increased by a factor of 5-10 with Gaia data release 3. Further progress in this area is achievable by leveraging the absolute astrometric precision of Gaia, and by obtaining multiple epochs of deep, high resolution near-infrared imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope, JWST and next-generation wide-field near-infrared observatories such as Euclid or the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 19 pages, 17 figure

    AT2023fhn (the Finch): a Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient at a large offset from its host galaxy

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    Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transients (LFBOTs) - the prototypical example being AT 2018cow - are a rare class of events whose origins are poorly understood. They are characterised by rapid evolution, featureless blue spectra at early times, and luminous X-ray and radio emission. LFBOTs thus far have been found exclusively at small projected offsets from star-forming host galaxies. We present Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini, Chandra and Very Large Array observations of a new LFBOT, AT2023fhn. The Hubble Space Telescope data reveal a large offset (greater than 3.5 half-light radii) from the two closest galaxies, both at a redshift of 0.24. The isolated environment of AT 2023fhn is in stark contrast with previous events, is challenging to explain with most LFBOT progenitor models, and calls into question the homogeneity of LFBOTs as a class.Comment: Submitted to MNRASL. 7 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

    AT2023fhn (the Finch):a luminous fast blue optical transient at a large offset from its host galaxy

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    Luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) – the prototypical example being AT 2018cow – are a rare class of events whose origins are poorly understood. They are characterized by rapid evolution, featureless blue spectra at early times, and luminous X-ray and radio emission. LFBOTs thus far have been found exclusively at small projected offsets from star-forming host galaxies. We present Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini, Chandra, and Very Large Array observations of a new LFBOT, AT 2023fhn. The Hubble Space Telescope data reveal a large offset (>3.5 half-light radii) from the two closest galaxies, both at redshift z ∼ 0.24. The location of AT 2023fhn is in stark contrast with previous events, and demonstrates that LFBOTs can occur in a range of galactic environments

    Preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation: a consensus guideline from the Project for Universal Management of Airways and international airway societies.

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    Across multiple disciplines undertaking airway management globally, preventable episodes of unrecognised oesophageal intubation result in profound hypoxaemia, brain injury and death. These events occur in the hands of both inexperienced and experienced practitioners. Current evidence shows that unrecognised oesophageal intubation occurs sufficiently frequently to be a major concern and to merit a co-ordinated approach to address it. Harm from unrecognised oesophageal intubation is avoidable through reducing the rate of oesophageal intubation, combined with prompt detection and immediate action when it occurs. The detection of 'sustained exhaled carbon dioxide' using waveform capnography is the mainstay for excluding oesophageal placement of an intended tracheal tube. Tube removal should be the default response when sustained exhaled carbon dioxide cannot be detected. If default tube removal is considered dangerous, urgent exclusion of oesophageal intubation using valid alternative techniques is indicated, in parallel with evaluation of other causes of inability to detect carbon dioxide. The tube should be removed if timely restoration of sustained exhaled carbon dioxide cannot be achieved. In addition to technical interventions, strategies are required to address cognitive biases and the deterioration of individual and team performance in stressful situations, to which all practitioners are vulnerable. These guidelines provide recommendations for preventing unrecognised oesophageal intubation that are relevant to all airway practitioners independent of geography, clinical location, discipline or patient type

    New candidates for magnetar counterparts from a deep search with the Hubble Space Telescope

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    We report the discovery of six new magnetar counterpart candidates from deep near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope imaging. The new candidates are among a sample of nineteen magnetars for which we present HST data obtained between 2018–2020. We confirm the variability of previously established near-infrared counterparts, and newly identify candidates for PSR J1622-4950, Swift J1822.3-1606, CXOU J171405.7-381031, Swift J1833-0832, Swift J1834.9-0846 and AX J1818.8-1559 based on their proximity to X-ray localisations. The new candidates are compared with the existing counterpart population in terms of their colours, magnitudes, and near-infrared to X-ray spectral indices. We find two candidates for AX J1818 which are both consistent with previously established counterparts. The other new candidates are likely to be chance alignments, or otherwise have a different origin for their near-infrared emission not previously seen in magnetar counterparts. Further observations and studies of these candidates are needed to firmly establish their nature

    Where are the magnetar binary companions? Candidates from a comparison with binary population synthesis predictions

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    It is well established that magnetars are neutron stars with extreme magnetic fields and young ages, but the evolutionary pathways to their creation are still uncertain. Since most massive stars are in binaries, if magnetars are a frequent result of core-collapse supernovae, some fraction are expected to have a bound companion at the time of observation. In this paper, we utilize literature constraints, including deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging, to search for bound stellar companions to magnetars. The magnitude and colour measurements are interpreted in the context of binary population synthesis predictions. We find two candidates for stellar companions associated with CXOU J171405.7–381031 and SGR 0755–2933, based on their J-H colours and H-band absolute magnitudes. Overall, the proportion of the Galactic magnetar population with a plausibly stellar near-infrared counterpart candidate, based on their magnitudes and colours, is between 5 and 10 per cent. This is consistent with a population synthesis prediction of 5 per cent, for the fraction of core-collapse neutron stars arising from primaries which remain bound to their companion after the supernova. These results are therefore consistent with magnetars being drawn in an unbiased way from the natal core-collapse neutron star population, but some contribution from alternative progenitor channels cannot be ruled out

    AT2023fhn (the Finch): a luminous fast blue optical transient at a large offset from its host galaxy

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    Luminous fast blue optical transients (LFBOTs) – the prototypical example being AT 2018cow – are a rare class of events whose origins are poorly understood. They are characterized by rapid evolution, featureless blue spectra at early times, and luminous X-ray and radio emission. LFBOTs thus far have been found exclusively at small projected offsets from star-forming host galaxies. We present Hubble Space Telescope, Gemini, Chandra, and Very Large Array observations of a new LFBOT, AT 2023fhn. The Hubble Space Telescope data reveal a large offset (>3.5 half-light radii) from the two closest galaxies, both at redshift z ∼ 0.24. The location of AT 2023fhn is in stark contrast with previous events, and demonstrates that LFBOTs can occur in a range of galactic environments

    The brightest GRB ever detected: GRB 221009A as a highly luminous event at z = 0.151

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    Context: The extreme luminosity of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) makes them powerful beacons for studies of the distant Universe. The most luminous bursts are typically detected at moderate/high redshift, where the volume for seeing such rare events is maximized and the star-formation activity is greater than at z = 0. For distant events, not all observations are feasible, such as at TeV energies. Aims: Here we present a spectroscopic redshift measurement for the exceptional GRB 221009A, the brightest GRB observed to date with emission extending well into the TeV regime. Methods: We used the X-shooter spectrograph at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) to obtain simultaneous optical to near-IR spectroscopy of the burst afterglow 0.5 days after the explosion. Results: The spectra exhibit both absorption and emission lines from material in a host galaxy at z = 0.151. Thus GRB 221009A was a relatively nearby burst with a luminosity distance of 745 Mpc. Its host galaxy properties (star-formation rate and metallicity) are consistent with those of LGRB hosts at low redshift. This redshift measurement yields information on the energy of the burst. The inferred isotropic energy release, Eiso>5×1054E_{\rm iso} > 5 \times 10^{54} erg, lies at the high end of the distribution, making GRB 221009A one of the nearest and also most energetic GRBs observed to date. We estimate that such a combination (nearby as well as intrinsically bright) occurs between once every few decades to once per millennium.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysic
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