57 research outputs found
Towards a standardised line list for G191-B2B, and other DA type objects
We present a comprehensive analysis of the far UV spectrum of G191-B2B over
the range of 900-1700{\AA} using co-added data from the FUSE and STIS archives.
While previous identifications made by Holberg et al. (2003) are reaffirmed in
this work, it is found that many previously unidentified lines can now be
attributed to Fe, Ni, and a few lighter metals. Future work includes extending
this detailed analysis to a wider range of DA objects, in the expectation that
a more complete analysis of their atmospheres can be realised.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table: To appear in the proceedings of the
"18th European White Dwarf Workshop" in Krakow, Poland, 201
Evaluation of the Family Start programme: Report on findings of the impact evaluation
The purpose of this impact evaluation was to assess the impact that Family Start participation is
having on the wellbeing of New Zealand children and their whānau. The evaluation examined a
range of health, educational, and social outcomes for children, including separate analyses for
Māori and Pasifika children.
The evaluation was informed by a Bridging Cultural Perspectives approach which comprises the He
Awa Whiria and Negotiated Spaces models. Reviewers representing the three knowledge streams
(Māori, Pasifika, Pākehā) worked together to assist with the interpretation of the findings at an
aggregate level, and through the lens of each worldview
A Quantitative Comparison of Opacities Calculated Using the Distorted- Wave and -Matrix Methods
The present debate on the reliability of astrophysical opacities has reached
a new climax with the recent measurements of Fe opacities on the Z-machine at
the Sandia National Laboratory \citep{Bailey2015}. To understand the
differences between theoretical results, on the one hand, and experiments on
the other, as well as the differences among the various theoretical results,
detailed comparisons are needed. Many ingredients are involved in the
calculation of opacities; deconstructing the whole process and comparing the
differences at each step are necessary to quantify their importance and impact
on the final results. We present here such a comparison using the two main
approaches to calculate the required atomic data, the -Matrix and
distorted-wave methods, as well as sets of configurations and coupling schemes
to quantify the effects on the opacities for the and ions.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure
A far-UV survey of three hot, metal-polluted white dwarf stars: WD0455-282, WD0621-376, and WD2211-495
Using newly obtained high-resolution data () from the
\textit{Hubble Space Telescope}, and archival UV data from the \textit{Far
Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer} we have conducted a detailed UV survey of
the three hot, metal-polluted white dwarfs WD0455-282, WD0621-376, and
WD2211-495. Using bespoke model atmospheres we measured , log
, and photospheric abundances for these stars. In conjunction with data from
Gaia we measured masses, radii, and gravitational redshift velocities for our
sample of objects. We compared the measured photospheric abundances with those
predicted by radiative levitation theory, and found that the observed Si
abundances in all three white dwarfs, and the observed Fe abundances in
WD0621-376 and WD2211-495, were larger than those predicted by an order of
magnitude. These findings imply not only an external origin for the metals, but
also ongoing accretion, as the metals not supported by radiative levitation
would sink on extremely short timescales. We measured the radial velocities of
several absorption features along the line of sight to the three objects in our
sample, allowing us to determine the velocities of the photospheric and
interstellar components along the line of sight for each star. Interestingly,
we made detections of circumstellar absorption along the line of sight to
WD0455-282 with three velocity components. To our knowledge, this is the first
such detection of multi-component circumstellar absorption along the line of
sight to a white dwarf.Comment: 19 pages, 23 figures, 8 tables. Accepted for publication in the
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ
A possible solution to the Lyman/Balmer line problem in hot DA white dwarfs
Arguably, the best method for determining the effective temperature
() and surface gravity (log ) of a DA white dwarf is by
fitting the Hydrogen Lyman and Balmer absorption features. However, as has been
shown for white dwarfs with >50,000K, the calculated value
from the Lyman and Balmer lines are discrepant, which worsens with increasing
temperature. Many different solutions have been suggested, ranging from the
input physics used to calculate the models, to interstellar reddening. We will
focus on the former, and consider three variables. The first is the atomic data
used, namely the number of transitions included in line blanketing treatments
and the photoionization cross sections. The second is the stark broadening
treatment used to synthesise the Lyman and Balmer line profiles, namely the
calculations performed by Lemke (1997) and Tremblay & Bergeron (2009). Finally,
the third is the atmospheric content. The model grids are calculated with a
pure H composition, and a metal polluted composition using the abundances of
Preval et al. (2013). We present the preliminary results of our analysis,
whereby we have determined the for a small selection of
white dwarfs. We plan to extend our analysis by allowing metallicity to vary in
future model grids.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, 1 table: To appear in the proceedings of the "19th
European White Dwarf Workshop" in Montreal, Canada, 201
Partial and total dielectronic recombination rate coefficients for W55+ to W38+
Dielectronic recombination (DR) is the dominant mode of recombination in magnetically confined fusion plasmas for intermediate to low-charged ions of W. Complete, final-state resolved partial isonuclear W DR rate coefficient data is required for detailed collisional-radiative modelling for such plasmas in preparation for the upcoming fusion experiment ITER. To realize this requirement, we continueThe Tungsten Project by presenting our calculations for tungsten ions W55+ to W38+. As per our prior calculations for W73+ to W56+, we use the collision package AUTOSTRUCTURE to calculate partial and total DR rate coefficients for all relevant core-excitations in intermediate coupling (IC) and configuration average (CA) using κ-averaged relativistic wavefunctions. Radiative recombination (RR) rate coefficients are also calculated for the purpose of evaluating ionization fractions. Comparison of our DR rate coefficients for W46+ with other authors yields agreement to within 7-19% at peak abundance verifying the reliability of our method. Comparison of partial DR rate coefficients calculated in IC and CA yield differences of a factor ∼ 2 at peak abundance temperature, highlighting the importance of relativistic configuration mixing. Large differences are observed between ionization fractions calculated using our recombination rate coefficient data and that of Pütterich et al [Plasma Phys. and Control. Fusion 50 085016, (2008)]. These differences are attributed to deficiencies in the average-atom method used by the former to calculate their data
Dielectronic recombination of lanthanide and low ionization state tungsten ions : W13+ - W+
The experimental thermonuclear reactor, ITER, is currently being constructed in Cadarache, France. The reactor vessel will be constructred with a beryllium coated wall, and a tungsten coated divertor. As a plasma-facing component, the divertor will be under conditions of extreme temperature, resulting in the sputtering of tungsten impurities into the main body plasma. Modelling and understanding the potential cooling effects of these impurities requires detailed collisional-radiative modelling. These models require a wealth of atomic data for the various atomic species in the plasma. In particular, partial, final-state resolved dielectronic/radiative recombination (DR/RR) rate coefficients for tungsten are required. In this manuscript, we present our calculations of detailed DR/RR rate coefficients for the lanthanide-like, and low ionization stages of tungsten, spanning charge states W to W. The calculations presented here constitutes the first detailed exploration of such low ionization state tungsten ions. We are able to reproduce the general trend of calculations performed by other authors, but find significant differences ours and their DR rate coefficients, especially at the lowest temperatures considered
Fundamental Physics from Observations of White Dwarf Stars
Variation in fundamental constants provide an important test of theories
of grand unification. Potentially, white dwarf spectra allow us to directly observe variation in fundamental constants at locations of high gravitational potential. We study hot, metal polluted white dwarf stars, combining far-UV spectroscopic observations, atomic physics, atmospheric modelling and fundamental physics, in the search for variation in the fine structure constant. This registers as small but measurable shifts in the observed wavelengths of highly ionized Fe and Ni lines when compared to laboratory wavelengths. Measurements of these shifts were performed by Berengut et al (2013) using high-resolution STIS spectra of G191-B2B, demonstrating the validity of the method. We have extended this work by; (a) using new (high precision) laboratory wavelengths,
(b) refining the analysis methodology (incorporating robust techniques from previous studies towards quasars), and (c) enlarging the sample of white dwarf spectra. A successful detection would be the first direct measurement of a gravitational field effect on a bare constant of nature. We describe our approach and present preliminary results.Leverhulme Trus
Constraining the magnetic field on white dwarf surfaces; Zeeman effects and fine structure constant variation
ABSTRACT
White dwarf (WD) atmospheres are subjected to gravitational potentials around 105 times larger than occur on Earth. They provide a unique environment in which to search for any possible variation in fundamental physics in the presence of strong gravitational fields. However, a sufficiently strong magnetic field will alter absorption line profiles and introduce additional uncertainties in measurements of the fine structure constant. Estimating the magnetic field strength is thus essential in this context. Here, we model the absorption profiles of a large number of atomic transitions in the WD photosphere, including first-order Zeeman effects in the line profiles, varying the magnetic field as a free parameter. We apply the method to a high signal-to-noise, high-resolution, far-ultraviolet Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectrum of the WD G191−B2B. The method yields a sensitive upper limit on its magnetic field of B &lt; 2300 G at the 3σ level. Using this upper limit, we find that the potential impact of quadratic Zeeman shifts on measurements of the fine structure constant in G191−B2B is 4 orders of magnitude below laboratory wavelength uncertainties.</jats:p
A Quantitative Comparison of Opacities Calculated Using the Distorted-Wave and R-Matrix Methods
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