9,188 research outputs found
Near-infrared Observations of Be/X-ray Binary Pulsar A0535+262
We present results obtained from an extensive near-infrared spectroscopic and
photometric observations of the Be/X-ray binary A0535+262/HDE 245770 at
different phases of its ~111 day orbital period. This observation campaign is a
part of the monitoring programme of selective Be/X-ray binary systems aimed at
understanding the X-ray and near-IR properties at different orbital phases,
especially during the periastron passage of the neutron star. The near-IR
observations were carried out using the 1.2 m telescope at Mt. Abu IR
observatory. Though the source was relatively faint for spectroscopic
observations with 1.2 m telescope, we monitored the source during the 2011
February--March giant outburst to primarily investigate whether any drastic
changes in the near-IR JHK spectra take place at the periastron passage.
Changes of such a striking nature were expected to be detectable in our
spectra. Photometric observations of the Be star show a gradual and systematic
fading in the JHK light curves since the onset of the X-ray outburst that could
suggest a mild evacuation/truncation of the circumstellar disc of the Be
companion. Near-IR spectroscopy of the object shows that the JHK spectra are
dominated by the emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series and HeI
lines at 1.0830, 1.7002 and 2.0585 micron. The presence of all hydrogen
emission lines in the JHK spectra, along with the absence of any significant
change in the continuum of the Be companion during X-ray quiescent and X-ray
outburst phases suggest that the near-IR line emitting regions of the disc are
not significantly affected during the X-ray outburst.Comment: 10 Pages, 5 Figures, Accepted for publication in Res. in Astronomy
and Astrophysic
Structure and Rheology of the Defect-gel States of Pure and Particle-dispersed Lyotropic Lamellar Phases
We present important new results from light-microscopy and rheometry on a
moderately concentrated lyotropic smectic, with and without particulate
additives. Shear-treatment aligns the phase rapidly, except for a striking
network of oily-streak defects, which anneals out much more slowly. If
spherical particles several microns in diameter are dispersed in the lamellar
medium, part of the defect network persists under shear-treatment, its nodes
anchored on the particles. The sample as prepared has substantial storage and
loss moduli, both of which decrease steadily under shear-treatment. Adding
particles enhances the moduli and retards their decay under shear. The data for
the frequency-dependent storage modulus after various durations of
shear-treatment can be scaled to collapse onto a single curve. The elasticity
and dissipation in these samples thus arises mainly from the defect network,
not directly from the smectic elasticity and hydrodynamics.Comment: 19 pages inclusive of 12 PostScript figures, uses revtex, psfrag and
epsfig. Revised version, accepted for publication in Euro. Phys. J. B, with
improved images of defect structure and theoretical estimates of network
elasticity and scalin
Ferromagnetism at 300 K in spin-coated anatasea and rutile Ti0.95Fe0.05O2 films
Thin films of Ti1-xFexO2 (x=0 and 0.05) have been prepared on sapphire
substrates by spin-on technique starting from metal organic precursors. When
heat treated in air at 550 and 700 degrees C respectively, these films present
pure anatase and rutile structures as shown both by X-ray diffraction and Raman
spectroscopy. Optical absorption indicate a high degree of transparency in the
visible region. Such films show a very small magnetic moment at 300 K. However,
when the anatase and the rutile films are annealed in a vacuum of 1x10-5 Torr
at 500 degrees C and 600 degrees C respectively, the magnetic moment, at 300 K,
is strongly enhanced reaching 0.46 B/Fe for the anatase sample and 0.48
B/Fe for the rutile one. The ferromagnetic Curie temperature of these
samples is above 350 K.Comment: 13 october 200
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