2,745 research outputs found
A Systematic Survey of the Effects of Wind Mass Loss Algorithms on the Evolution of Single Massive Stars
Mass loss is a key uncertainty in the evolution of massive stars. Stellar
evolution calculations must employ parametric algorithms for mass loss, and
usually only include stellar winds. We carry out a parameter study of the
effects of wind mass loss on massive star evolution using the open-source
stellar evolution code MESA. We provide a systematic comparison of wind mass
loss algorithms for solar-metallicity, nonrotating, single stars in the initial
mass range of . We consider combinations drawn from two hot
phase algorithms, three cool phase algorithms, and two Wolf-Rayet algorithms.
We consider linear wind efficiency scale factors of , , and to
account for reductions in mass loss rates due to wind inhomogeneities. We find
that the initial to final mass mapping for each zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS)
mass has a uncertainty if all algorithm combinations and wind
efficiencies are considered. The ad-hoc efficiency scale factor dominates this
uncertainty. While the final total mass and internal structure of our models
vary tremendously with mass loss treatment, final observable parameters are
much less sensitive for ZAMS mass . This indicates that
uncertainty in wind mass loss does not negatively affect estimates of the ZAMS
mass of most single-star supernova progenitors from pre-explosion observations.
Furthermore, we show that the internal structure of presupernova stars is
sensitive to variations in both main sequence and post main-sequence mass loss.
We find that the compactness parameter varies by as much as
for a given ZAMS mass evolved with different wind efficiencies and mass
loss algorithm combinations. [abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication on A&A, 22 pages + 2 appendixes, 12 figures,
online input parameters available at https://stellarcollapse.org/renzo2017
and data at https://zenodo.org/record/292924#.WK0q2tWi6W
Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage analogs in classical physics
Stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) is a well established technique
for producing coherent population transfer in a three-state quantum system. We
here exploit the resemblance between the Schrodinger equation for such a
quantum system and the Newton equation of motion for a classical system
undergoing torque to discuss several classical analogs of STIRAP, notably the
motion of a moving charged particle subject to the Lorentz force of a
quasistatic magnetic field, the orientation of a magnetic moment in a slowly
varying magnetic field, the Coriolis effect and the inertial frame dragging
effect. Like STIRAP, those phenomena occur for counterintuitively ordered field
pulses and are robustly insensitive to small changes in the interaction
properties
A Dynamical Study of the Non-Star Forming Translucent Molecular Cloud MBM16: Evidence for Shear Driven Turbulence in the Interstellar Medium
We present the results of a velocity correlation study of the high latitude
cloud MBM16 using a fully sampled CO map, supplemented by new CO
data. We find a correlation length of 0.4 pc. This is similar in size to the
formaldehyde clumps described in our previous study. We associate this
correlated motion with coherent structures within the turbulent flow. Such
structures are generated by free shear flows. Their presence in this non-star
forming cloud indicates that kinetic energy is being supplied to the internal
turbulence by an external shear flow. Such large scale driving over long times
is a possible solution to the dissipation problem for molecular cloud
turbulence.Comment: Uses AAS aasms4.sty macros. Accepted for publication in Ap
Dark-State Polaritons for multi-component and stationary light fields
We present a general scheme to determine the loss-free adiabatic
eigensolutions (dark-state polaritons) of the interaction of multiple probe
laser beams with a coherently driven atomic ensemble under conditions of
electromagnetically induced transparency. To this end we generalize the
Morris-Shore transformation to linearized Heisenberg-Langevin equations
describing the coupled light-matter system in the weak excitation limit. For
the simple lambda-type coupling scheme the generalized Morris-Shore
transformation reproduces the dark-state polariton solutions of slow light.
Here we treat a closed-loop dual-V scheme wherein two counter-propagating
control fields generate a quasi stationary pattern of two counter-propagating
probe fields -- so-called stationary light. We show that contrary to previous
predictions,there exists a single unique dark-state polariton; it obeys a
simple propagation equation.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Decoherence-free preparation of Dicke states of trapped ions by collective stimulated Raman adiabatic passage
We propose a simple technique for the generation of arbitrary-sized Dicke
states in a chain of trapped ions. The method uses global addressing of the
entire chain by two pairs of delayed but partially overlapping laser pulses to
engineer a collective adiabatic passage along a multi-ion dark state. Our
technique, which is a many-particle generalization of stimulated Raman
adiabatic passage (STIRAP), is decoherence-free with respect to spontaneous
emission and robust against moderate fluctuations in the experimental
parameters. Furthermore, because the process is very rapid, the effects of
heating are almost negligible under realistic experimental conditions. We
predict that the overall fidelity of synthesis of a Dicke state involving ten
ions sharing two excitations should approach 98% with currently achievable
experimental parameters.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure
Physical realization of coupled Hilbert-space mirrors for quantum-state engineering
Manipulation of superpositions of discrete quantum states has a mathematical
counterpart in the motion of a unit-length statevector in an N-dimensional
Hilbert space. Any such statevector motion can be regarded as a succession of
two-dimensional rotations. But the desired statevector change can also be
treated as a succession of reflections, the generalization of Householder
transformations. In multidimensional Hilbert space such reflection sequences
offer more efficient procedures for statevector manipulation than do sequences
of rotations. We here show how such reflections can be designed for a system
with two degenerate levels - a generalization of the traditional two-state atom
- that allows the construction of propagators for angular momentum states. We
use the Morris-Shore transformation to express the propagator in terms of
Morris-Shore basis states and Cayley-Klein parameters, which allows us to
connect properties of laser pulses to Hilbert-space motion. Under suitable
conditions on the couplings and the common detuning, the propagators within
each set of degenerate states represent products of generalized Householder
reflections, with orthogonal vectors. We propose physical realizations of this
novel geometrical object with resonant, near-resonant and far-off-resonant
laser pulses. We give several examples of implementations in real atoms or
molecules.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figure
Adiabatic population transfer via multiple intermediate states
This paper discusses a generalization of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage
(STIRAP) in which the single intermediate state is replaced by intermediate
states. Each of these states is connected to the initial state \state{i} with
a coupling proportional to the pump pulse and to the final state \state{f}
with a coupling proportional to the Stokes pulse, thus forming a parallel
multi- system. It is shown that the dark (trapped) state exists only
when the ratio between each pump coupling and the respective Stokes coupling is
the same for all intermediate states. We derive the conditions for existence of
a more general adiabatic-transfer state which includes transient contributions
from the intermediate states but still transfers the population from state
\state{i} to state \state{f} in the adiabatic limit. We present various
numerical examples for success and failure of multi- STIRAP which
illustrate the analytic predictions. Our results suggest that in the general
case of arbitrary couplings, it is most appropriate to tune the pump and Stokes
lasers either just below or just above all intermediate states.Comment: 14 pages, two-column revtex style, 10 figure
Adiabatic creation of coherent superposition states via multiple intermediate states
We consider an adiabatic population transfer process that resembles the well
established stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP). In our system, the
states have nonzero angular momentums , therefore, the coupling laser fields
induce transitions among the magnetic sublevels of the states. In particular,
we discuss the possibility of creating coherent superposition states in a
system with coupling pattern and . Initially, the system is in the J=0 state. We show that by two delayed,
overlapping laser pulses it is possible to create any final superposition state
of the magnetic sublevels , , . Moreover, we find that
the relative phases of the applied pulses influence not only the phases of the
final superposition state but the probability amplitudes as well. We show that
if we fix the shape and the time-delay between the pulses, the final state
space can be entirely covered by varying the polarizations and relative phases
of the two pulses. Performing numerical simulations we find that our transfer
process is nearly adiabatic for the whole parameter set.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure
The spectroscopic evolution of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis during its 2011 outburst. II.The optically thin phase and the structure of the ejecta in recurrent novae
We continue our study of the physical properties of the recurrent nova T Pyx,
focussing on the structure of the ejecta in the nebular stage of expansion
during the 2011 outburst. The nova was observed contemporaneously with the
Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), at high resolution spectroscopic resolution (R
~ 65000) on 2011 Oct. 11 and 2012 Apr. 8 (without absolute flux calibration),
and with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble
Space Telescope, at high resolution (R ~ 30000) on 2011 Oct. 10 and 2012 Mar.
28 (absolute fluxes). We use standard plasma diagnostics (e.g. [O III] and [N
II] line ratios and the H line fluxes) to constrain electron densities
and temperatures. Using Monte Carlo modeling of the ejecta, we derive the
structure and filling factor from comparisons to the optical and ultraviolet
line profiles. The ejecta can be modeled using an axisymmetric conical --
bipolar -- geometry with a low inclination of the axis to the line of sight,
i=15+/-5 degrees, compatible with published results from high angular
resolution optical spectro-interferometry. The structure is similar to that
observed in the other short orbital period recurrent novae during their nebular
stages. We show that the electron density scales as as expected from a
ballistically ejected constant mass shell; there is no need to invoke a
continuing mass outflow following the eruption. The derived mass for the ejecta
with filling factor f ~ 3%, M_ej ~ 2E-6$M_sun is similar to that obtained for
other recurrent nova ejecta but inconsistent with the previously reported
extended optically thick epoch of the explosion. We suggest that the system
underwent a common envelope phase following the explosion that produced the
recombination event. Implications for the dynamics of the recurrent novae are
discussed. (truncated)Comment: accepted for publication in A&A (10 Nov. 2012), 10 pgs, 16 fig
Evidence for a Weak Galactic Center Magnetic Field from Diffuse Low Frequency Nonthermal Radio Emission
New low-frequency 74 and 330 MHz observations of the Galactic center (GC)
region reveal the presence of a large-scale (6\arcdeg\times 2\arcdeg) diffuse
source of nonthermal synchrotron emission. A minimum energy analysis of this
emission yields a total energy of ergs
and a magnetic field strength of \muG (where is
the proton to electron energy ratio and is the filling factor of the
synchrotron emitting gas). The equipartition particle energy density is
\evcm, a value consistent with cosmic-ray data. However,
the derived magnetic field is several orders of magnitude below the 1 mG field
commonly invoked for the GC. With this field the source can be maintained with
the SN rate inferred from the GC star formation. Furthermore, a strong magnetic
field implies an abnormally low GC cosmic-ray energy density. We conclude that
the mean magnetic field in the GC region must be weak, of order 10 \muG (at
least on size scales \ga 125\arcsec).Comment: 12 pages, 1 JPEG figure, uses aastex.sty; Accepted for publication,
ApJL (2005, published
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