980 research outputs found
Some recent infrared spectroscopy of interstellar processes
The potential which infrared spectroscopic techniques provide for studying interstellar process is demonstrated. Several examples are given. The data were obtained at UKIRT, using its frequency-chopped Fabry-Perot spectrometer and its seven-channel cooled grating spectrometer
The Interstellar Medium of IRAS 08572+3915 NW: H3+ and Warm High Velocity CO
We confirm the first detection of the molecular ion H3+ in an extragalactic
object, the highly obscured ultraluminous galaxy IRAS 08572+3915 NW. We also
have detected absorption lines of the fundamental band of CO in this galaxy.
The CO absorption consists of a cold component close to the systemic velocity
and warm, highly blueshifted and redshifted components. The warm blueshifted
component is remarkably strong and broad and extends at least to -350 km/s.
Some analogies can be drawn between the H3+ and cold CO in IRAS08572+3915 NW
and the same species seen toward the Galactic center. The profiles of the warm
CO components are not those expected from a dusty torus of the type thought to
obscure active galactic nuclei. They are probably formed close to the dust
continuum surface near the buried and active nucleus and are probably
associated with an unusual and energetic event there.Comment: 21 pages, 4 postscript figures, accepted by Ap
Origin of charge density at LaAlO3-on-SrTiO3 hetero-interfaces; possibility of intrinsic doping
As discovered by Ohtomo et al., a large sheet charge density with high
mobility exists at the interface between SrTiO3 and LaAlO3. Based on transport,
spectroscopic and oxygen-annealing experiments, we conclude that extrinsic
defects in the form of oxygen vacancies introduced by the pulsed laser
deposition process used by all researchers to date to make these samples is the
source of the large carrier densities. Annealing experiments show a limiting
carrier density. We also present a model that explains the high mobility based
on carrier redistribution due to an increased dielectric constant.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, 1 table; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Lett
Variable Winds and Dust Formation in R Coronae Borealis Stars
We have observed P-Cygni and asymmetric, blue-shifted absorption profiles in
the He I 10830 lines of twelve R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars over short (1
month) and long (3 year) timescales to look for variations linked to their
dust-formation episodes. In almost all cases, the strengths and terminal
velocities of the line vary significantly and are correlated with dust
formation events. Strong absorption features with blue-shifted velocities ~400
km/s appear during declines in visible brightness and persist for about 100
days after recovery to maximum brightness. Small residual winds of somewhat
lower velocity are present outside of the decline and recovery periods. The
correlations support models in which recently formed dust near the star is
propelled outward at high speed by radiation pressure and drags the gas along
with it.Comment: AJ in press, 21 pages, 3 figure
Velocity resolved spectroscopy of molecular hydrogen emission in NGC6240
NGC6240 is a member of the class of luminous galaxies which emit a significant fraction of their total light in the infrared. Based on its highly disturbed morphology, Fosbury and Wall (1979) suggested that the system may be a merger of two gas rich galaxies. It has two nuclei separated by 2 arcsec which are visible in the near infrared and at radio wavelengths and CO observations show that the galaxy contains a large mass of molecular gas. Unusually strong H2 emission lines dominate the near infrared spectrum of this galaxy. The galaxy emits approximately 4x10(exp 7) solar luminosity in the 2.12 micron v = 1 to 0 S(1) line alone, an order of magnitude more than other merging or starburst galaxies. To provide a better understanding of the physical processes responsible for the H2 emission from NGC6240 we have begun a program to obtain high spectral resolution observations using the echelle in CGS4 on the UKIRT. Preliminary data which were obtained in February 1991 are presented here. It is intended to obtain further observations with twice the spatial and spectral resolution in June of this year
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