563 research outputs found
Principal Component Analysis as a Tool for Characterizing Black Hole Images and Variability
We explore the use of principal component analysis (PCA) to characterize
high-fidelity simulations and interferometric observations of the millimeter
emission that originates near the horizons of accreting black holes. We show
mathematically that the Fourier transforms of eigenimages derived from PCA
applied to an ensemble of images in the spatial-domain are identical to the
eigenvectors of PCA applied to the ensemble of the Fourier transforms of the
images, which suggests that this approach may be applied to modeling the sparse
interferometric Fourier-visibilities produced by an array such as the Event
Horizon Telescope (EHT). We also show that the simulations in the spatial
domain themselves can be compactly represented with a PCA-derived basis of
eigenimages allowing for detailed comparisons between variable observations and
time-dependent models, as well as for detection of outliers or rare events
within a time series of images. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the spectrum
of PCA eigenvalues is a diagnostic of the power spectrum of the structure and,
hence, of the underlying physical processes in the simulated and observed
images.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures, submitted to Ap
Constraining Radiatively Inefficient Accretion Flows with Polarization
The low-luminosity black hole Sgr A* provides a testbed for models of
Radiatively Inefficient Accretion Flows (RIAFs). Recent sub-millimeter linear
polarization measurements of Sgr A* have provided evidence that the electrons
in the accretion flow are relativistic over a large range of radii. Here, we
show that these high temperatures result in elliptical plasma normal modes.
Thus, polarized millimeter and sub-millimeter radiation emitted within RIAFs
will undergo generalized Faraday rotation, a cyclic conversion between linear
and circular polarization. This effect will not depolarize the radiation even
if the rotation measure is extremely high. Rather, the beam will take on the
linear and circular polarization properties of the plasma normal modes. As a
result, polarization measurements of Sgr A* in this frequency regime will
constrain the temperature, density and magnetic profiles of RIAF models.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, accepted by ApJ Letter
Toward a better understanding of tool wear effect through a comparison between experiments and SPH numerical modelling of machining hard materials
The aim of this study is to improve the general understanding of tungsten carbide (WC–Co) tool wear under dry machining of the hard-to-cut titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. The chosen approach includes experimental and numerical tests. The experimental part is designed to identify wear mechanisms using cutting force measurements, scanning electron microscope observations and optical profilometer analysis. Machining tests were conducted in the orthogonal cutting framework and showed a strong evolution of the cutting forces and the chip profiles with tool wear. Then, a numerical method has been used in order to model the machining process with both new and worn tools. The use of smoothed particle hydrodynamics model (SPH model) as a numerical tool for a better understanding of the chip formation with worn tools is a key aspect of this work. The redicted chip morphology and the cutting force evolution with respect to the tool wear are qualitatively compared with experimental trends. The chip formation mechanisms during dry cutting process are shown to be quite dependent from the worn tool geometry. These mechanisms explain the high variation of the experimental and numerical feed force between new and worn tools
Models of hydrostatic magnetar atmospheres at high luminosities
We investigate the possibility of Photospheric Radius Expansion (PRE) during
magnetar bursts. Identification of PRE would enable a determination of the
magnetic Eddington limit (which depends on field strength and neutron star mass
and radius), and shed light on the burst mechanism. To do this we model
hydrostatic atmospheres in a strong radial magnetic field, determining both
their maximum extent and photospheric temperatures. We find that
spatially-extended atmospheres cannot exist in such a field configuration:
typical maximum extent for magnetar-strength fields is ~10 m (as compared to
200 km in the non-magnetic case). Achieving balance of gravitational and
radiative forces over a large range of radii, which is critical to the
existence of extended atmospheres, is rendered impossible in strong fields due
to the dependence of opacities on temperature and field strength. We conclude
that high luminosity bursts in magnetars do not lead to expansion and cooling
of the photosphere, as in the non-magnetic case. We also find the maximum
luminosity that can propagate through a hydrostatic magnetar atmosphere to be
lower than previous estimates. The proximity and small extent of the
photospheres associated with the two different polarization modes also calls
into question the interpretation of two blackbody fits to magnetar burst
spectra as being due to extended photospheres.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 14 pages, 6 figures, 2 table
Chandra and RXTE Observations of 1E 1547.0-5408: Comparing the 2008 and 2009 Outbursts
We present results from observations of the magnetar 1E 1547.0-5408 (SGR
J1550-5418) taken with the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Rossi X-ray Timing
Explorer (RXTE) following the source's outbursts in 2008 October and 2009
January. During the time span of the Chandra observations, which covers days 4
through 23 and days 2 through 16 after the 2008 and 2009 events, respectively,
the source spectral shape remained stable, while the pulsar's spin-down rate in
the same span in 2008 increased by a factor of 2.2 as measured by RXTE. The
lack of spectral variation suggests decoupling between magnetar spin-down and
radiative changes, hence between the spin-down-inferred magnetic field strength
and that inferred spectrally. We also found a strong anti-correlation between
the phase-averaged flux and the pulsed fraction in the 2008 and 2009 Chandra
data, but not in the pre-2008 measurements. We discuss these results in the
context of the magnetar model.Comment: 4 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Four new black hole candidates identified in M31 globular clusters with Chandra and XMM-Newton
We have identified four new black hole candidates in M31 globular clusters
using 123 Chandra, and 4 XMM-Newton observations of the M31 central region. The
X-ray source associated with Bo 163 (XB163) is a recurrent transient, with the
highest luminosity ~1.4E+38 erg/s, considerably brighter than any outbursts
from the neutron star transients Aql X-1 or 4U 1608-452; the outburst
apparently started ~45 days earlier than the observed peak, hence the
luminosity could have been considerably higher. We identified XB082, XB153 and
XB185 as BHCs by observing "low state" emission spectra at luminosities that
exceed the threshold for neutron star binaries. The probability that these are
neutron star systems with anisotropic emission beamed toward us is <4E-4, and
their variability suggests emission from a single source. We therefore conclude
that these systems likely contain black holes rather than neutron stars. We
have now identified 4 persistently bright BHCs in the region; the probability
that these are all background AGN is <1E-20. According to theory, the donors
could be tidally captured main sequence stars, or white dwarves in
ultra-compact binaries. We find that GCs that are particularly massive (XB082)
or metal rich (XB144) can host bright X-ray sources in addition to those that
are both (XB163). Our method may reveal BHCs in other bright X-ray sources.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 17 pages, 5 figure
Equation of State of Nuclear Matter at high baryon density
A central issue in the theory of astrophysical compact objects and heavy ion
reactions at intermediate and relativistic energies is the Nuclear Equation of
State (EoS). On one hand, the large and expanding set of experimental and
observational data is expected to constrain the behaviour of the nuclear EoS,
especially at density above saturation, where it is directly linked to
fundamental processes which can occur in dense matter. On the other hand,
theoretical predictions for the EoS at high density can be challenged by the
phenomenological findings. In this topical review paper we present the
many-body theory of nuclear matter as developed along different years and with
different methods. Only nucleonic degrees of freedom are considered. We compare
the different methods at formal level, as well as the final EoS calculated
within each one of the considered many-body schemes. The outcome of this
analysis should help in restricting the uncertainty of the theoretical
predictions for the nuclear EoS.Comment: 51 pages, to appear in J. Phys. G as Topical Revie
Long-term X-ray changes in the emission from the anomalous X-ray pulsar 4U 0142+61
We present results obtained from X-ray observations of the anomalous X-ray
pulsar (AXP) 4U 0142+61 taken between 2000-2007 using XMM-Newton, Chandra and
Swift. In observations taken before 2006, the pulse profile is observed to
become more sinusoidal and the pulsed fraction increased with time. These
results confirm those derived using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer and expand
the observed evolution to energies below 2 keV. The XMM-Newton total flux in
the 0.5-10 keV band is observed to be nearly constant in observations taken
before 2006, while an increase of ~10% is seen afterwards and coincides with
the burst activity detected from the source in 2006-2007. After these bursts,
the evolution towards more sinusoidal pulse profiles ceased while the pulsed
fraction showed a further increase. No evidence for large-scale, long-term
changes in the emission as a result of the bursts is seen. The data also
suggest a correlation between the flux and hardness of the spectrum, with
brighter observations on average having a harder spectrum. As pointed out by
other authors, we find that the standard blackbody plus power-law model does
not provide the best spectral fit to the emission from 4U 0142+61. We also
report on observations taken with the Gemini telescope after two bursts. These
observations show source magnitudes consistent with previous measurements. Our
results demonstrate the wide range of X-ray variability characteristics seen in
AXPs and we discuss them in light of current emission models for these sources.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, in emulateapj style. Submitted to Ap
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