46 research outputs found
New Measurements of Doubly Ionized Iron Group Spectra by High Resolution Fourier Transform and Grating Spectroscopy
We report new measurements of doubly ionized iron group element spectra, important in the analysis of B-type (hot) stars whose spectra they dominate. These measurements include Co III and Cr III taken with the Imperial College VUV Fourier transform (FT) spectrometer and measurements of Co III taken with the normal incidence vacuum spectrograph at NIST, below 135 nm. We report new Fe III grating spectra measurements to complement our FT spectra. Work towards transition wavelengths, energy levels and branching ratios (which, combined with lifetimes, produce oscillator strengths) for these ions is underway
Accurate VUV Laboratory Measurements of Fe III Transitions for Astrophysical Applications
We report preliminary measurements of Fe III spectra in the 1150 to 2500 A wavelength interval. Spectra have been recorded with an iron-neon Penning discharge lamp (PDL) between 1600 and 2500 A at Imperial College (IC) using high resolution Fourier (FT) transform spectroscopy. These FT spectrometer measurements were extended beyond 1600 A to 1150 A using high-resolution grating spectroscopy at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These recorded spectra represent the first radiometrically calibrated measurements of a doubly-ionized iron-group element spectrum combining the techniques of vacuum ultraviolet FT and grating spectroscopy. The spectral range of the new laboratory measurements corresponds to recent HST/STIS observations of sharp-lined B stars and of Eta Carinae. The new improved atomic data can be applied to abundance studies and diagnostics of astrophysical plasmas
The FERRUM project: Transition probabilities for forbidden lines in [FeII] and experimental metastable lifetimes
Accurate transition probabilities for forbidden lines are important
diagnostic parameters for low-density astrophysical plasmas. In this paper we
present experimental atomic data for forbidden [FeII] transitions that are
observed as strong features in astrophysical spectra.
Aims: To measure lifetimes for the 3d^6(^3G)4s a ^4G_{11/2} and 3d^6(^3D)4s b
^4D_{1/2} metastable levels in FeII and experimental transition probabilities
for the forbidden transitions 3d^7 a ^4F_{7/2,9/2}- 3d^6(^3G)4s a ^4G_{11/2}.
Methods: The lifetimes were measured at the ion storage ring facility CRYRING
using a laser probing technique. Astrophysical branching fractions were
obtained from spectra of Eta Carinae, obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The lifetimes and branching
fractions were combined to yield absolute transition probabilities.
Results: The lifetimes of the a ^4G_{11/2} and the b ^4D_{1/2} levels have
been measured and have the following values, 0.75(10) s and 0.54(3) s
respectively. Furthermore, we have determined the transition probabilities for
two forbidden transitions of a ^4F_{7/2,9/2}- a ^4G_{11/2} at 4243.97 and
4346.85 A. Both the lifetimes and the transition probabilities are compared to
calculated values in the literature.Comment: 5 pages, accepted for publication in A&
The FERRUM project: laboratory-measured transition probabilities for Cr II
Aims: We measure transition probabilities for Cr II transitions from the z
^4H_J, z ^2D_J, y ^4F_J, and y ^4G_J levels in the energy range 63000 to 68000
cm^{-1}. Methods: Radiative lifetimes were measured using time-resolved
laser-induced fluorescence from a laser-produced plasma. In addition, branching
fractions were determined from intensity-calibrated spectra recorded with a UV
Fourier transform spectrometer. The branching fractions and radiative lifetimes
were combined to yield accurate transition probabilities and oscillator
strengths. Results: We present laboratory measured transition probabilities for
145 Cr II lines and radiative lifetimes for 14 Cr II levels. The
laboratory-measured transition probabilities are compared to the values from
semi-empirical calculations and laboratory measurements in the literature.Comment: 13 pages. Accepted for publication in A&
Astronomy & Astrophysics The FERRUM project: laboratory-measured transition probabilities for Cr II
ABSTRACT Aims. We measure transition probabilities for Cr ii transitions from the z 4 H J , z 2 D J , y 4 F J , and y 4 G J levels in the energy range 63 000 to 68 000 cm −1 . Methods. Radiative lifetimes were measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence from a laser-produced plasma. In addition, branching fractions were determined from intensity-calibrated spectra recorded with a UV Fourier transform spectrometer. The branching fractions and radiative lifetimes were combined to yield accurate transition probabilities and oscillator strengths. Results. We present laboratory measured transition probabilities for 145 Cr ii lines and radiative lifetimes for 14 Cr ii levels. The laboratory-measured transition probabilities are compared to the values from semi-empirical calculations and laboratory measurements in the literature
Atomic lines in infrared spectra for ultracool dwarfs
We provide a set of atomic lines which are suitable for the description of
ultracool dwarf spectra from 10000 to 25000 \AA. This atomic linelist was made
using both synthetic spectra calculations and existing atlases of infrared
spectra of Arcturus and Sunspot umbra. We present plots, which show the
comparison of synthetic spectra and observed Arcturus and Sunspot umbral
spectra for all atomic lines likely to be observable in high resolution
infrared spectra.Comment: 21 pages, 2 tables, 129 figures, figures are available only at
http://www.astro.livjm.ac.uk/~hraj/spectralatlas/index.html, accepted to A&
Explanation of the activity sensitivity of Mn I 5394.7 \AA
There is a long-standing controversy concerning the reason why the Mn I
5394.7 A line in the solar irradiance spectrum brightens more at larger
activity than most other photospheric lines. The claim that this activity
sensitivity is caused by spectral interlocking to chromospheric emission in Mg
II h & k is disputed.
Classical one-dimensional modeling is used for demonstration; modern
three-dimensional MHD simulation for verification and analysis.
The Mn I 5394.7 A line thanks its unusual sensitivity to solar activity to
its hyperfine structure. This overrides the thermal and granular Doppler
smearing through which the other, narrower, photospheric lines lose such
sensitivity. We take the nearby Fe I 5395.2 A line as example of the latter and
analyze the formation of both lines in detail to demonstrate and explain
granular Doppler brightening. We show that this affects all narrow lines.
Neither the chromosphere nor Mg II h & k play a role, nor is it correct to
describe the activity sensitivity of Mn I 5394.7 A through plage models with
outward increasing temperature contrast.
The Mn I 5394.7 A line represents a proxy diagnostic of strong-field magnetic
concentrations in the deep solar photosphere comparable to the G band and the
blue wing of H-alpha, but not a better one than these. The Mn I lines are more
promising as diagnostic of weak fields in high-resolution Stokes polarimetry.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, accepted by A&
Atomic transition frequencies, isotope shifts, and sensitivity to variation of the fine structure constant for studies of quasar absorption spectra
Theories unifying gravity with other interactions suggest spatial and
temporal variation of fundamental "constants" in the Universe. A change in the
fine structure constant, alpha, could be detected via shifts in the frequencies
of atomic transitions in quasar absorption systems. Recent studies using 140
absorption systems from the Keck telescope and 153 from the Very Large
Telescope, suggest that alpha varies spatially. That is, in one direction on
the sky alpha seems to have been smaller at the time of absorption, while in
the opposite direction it seems to have been larger.
To continue this study we need accurate laboratory measurements of atomic
transition frequencies. The aim of this paper is to provide a compilation of
transitions of importance to the search for alpha variation. They are E1
transitions to the ground state in several different atoms and ions, with
wavelengths ranging from around 900 - 6000 A, and require an accuracy of better
than 10^{-4} A. We discuss isotope shift measurements that are needed in order
to resolve systematic effects in the study. The coefficients of sensitivity to
alpha-variation (q) are also presented.Comment: Includes updated version of the "alpha line" lis
NF90 Binds the Dengue Virus RNA 3′ Terminus and is a Positive Regulator of Dengue Virus Replication
Background
Viral RNA translation and replication are regulated by sequence and structural elements in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTR) and by host cell and/or viral proteins that bind them. Dengue virus has a single-stranded RNA genome with positive polarity, a 5′ m7GpppG cap, and a conserved 3′-terminal stem loop (SL) that is linked to proposed functions in viral RNA transcription and translation. Mechanisms explaining the contributions of host proteins to viral RNA translation and replication are poorly defined, yet understanding host protein-viral RNA interactions may identify new targets for therapeutic intervention. This study was directed at identifying functionally significant host proteins that bind the conserved dengue virus RNA 3′ terminus.
Methodology/Principal Findings
Proteins eluted from a dengue 3′ SL RNA affinity column at increasing ionic strength included two with double-strand RNA binding motifs (NF90/DRBP76 and DEAH box polypeptide 9/RNA helicase A (RHA)), in addition to NF45, which forms a heterodimer with NF90. Although detectable NF90 and RHA proteins localized to the nucleus of uninfected cells, immunofluorescence revealed cytoplasmic NF90 in dengue virus-infected cells, leading us to hypothesize that NF90 has a functional role(s) in dengue infections. Cells depleted of NF90 were used to quantify viral RNA transcript levels and production of infectious dengue virus. NF90 depletion was accompanied by a 50%-70% decrease in dengue RNA levels and in production of infectious viral progeny.
Conclusions/Significance
The results indicate that NF90 interacts with the 3′ SL structure of the dengue RNA and is a positive regulator of dengue virus replication. NF90 depletion diminished the production of infectious dengue virus by more than 50%, which may have important significance for identifying therapeutic targets to limit a virus that threatens more than a billion people worldwide.Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NIH-NRSA GM64985)UNCF-Merck Postdoctoral FellowshipNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (U.S.)Ellison Medical Foundatio