14,805 research outputs found
Accretion and activity on the post-common-envelope binary RR~Cae
Current scenarios for the evolution of interacting close binaries - such as
cataclysmic variables (CVs) - rely mainly on our understanding of low-mass star
angular momentum loss (AML) mechanisms. The coupling of stellar wind with its
magnetic field, i.e., magnetic braking, is the most promising mechanism to
drive AML in these stars. There are basically two properties driving magnetic
braking: the stellar magnetic field and the stellar wind. Understanding the
mechanisms that drive AML therefore requires a comprehensive understanding of
these two properties. RRCae is a well-known nearby (d=20pc) eclipsing DA+M
binary with an orbital period of P=7.29h. The system harbors a metal-rich cool
white dwarf (WD) and a highly active M-dwarf locked in synchronous rotation.
The metallicity of the WD suggests that wind accretion is taking place, which
provides a good opportunity to obtain the mass-loss rate of the M-dwarf
component. We analyzed multi-epoch time-resolved high-resolution spectra of
RRCae in search for traces of magnetic activity and accretion. We selected a
number of well-known activity indicators and studied their short and long-term
behavior. Indirect-imaging tomographic techniques were also applied to provide
the surface brightness distribution of the magnetically active M-dwarf, and
reveals a polar feature similar to those observed in fast-rotating solar-type
stars. The blue part of the spectrum was modeled using a atmosphere model to
constrain the WD properties and its metal enrichment. The latter was used to
improve the determination of the mass-accretion rate from the M-dwarf wind. The
presence of metals in the WD spectrum suggests that this component arises from
accretion of the M-dwarf wind. A model fit to the WD gives Teff=(7260+/-250)K
and logg=(7.8+/-0.1) dex with a metallicity of =(-2.8+/-0.1)dex,
and a mass-accretion rate of dotMacc=(7+/-2)x1e-16Msun/yr.Comment: 14 pages, 7 Figures, 6 Table
Nanometric pitch in modulated structures of twist-bend nematic liquid crystals
The extended Frank elastic energy density is used to investigate the
existence of a stable periodically modulate structure that appears as a ground
state exhibiting a twist-bend molecular arrangement. For an unbounded sample,
we show that the twist-bend nematic phase is characterized by a
heliconical structure with a pitch in the nano-metric range, in agreement with
experimental results. For a sample of finite thickness, we show that the wave
vector of the stable periodic structure depends not only on the elastic
parameters but also on the anchoring energy, easy axis direction, and the
thickness of the sample.Comment: 11 page
The thermal conductivity of alternating spin chains
We study a class of integrable alternating (S1,S2) quantum spin chains with
critical ground state properties. Our main result is the description of the
thermal Drude weight of the one-dimensional alternating spin chain as a
function of temperature. We have identified the thermal current of the model
with alternating spins as one of the conserved currents underlying the
integrability. This allows for the derivation of a finite set of non-linear
integral equations for the thermal conductivity. Numerical solutions to the
integral equations are presented for specific cases of the spins S1 and S2. In
the low-temperature limit a universal picture evolves where the thermal Drude
weight is proportional to temperature T and central charge c.Comment: 15 pages, 1 figur
Ballistic heat transport of quantum spin excitations as seen in SrCuO2
Fundamental conservation laws predict ballistic, i.e., dissipationless
transport behaviour in one-dimensional quantum magnets. Experimental evidence,
however, for such anomalous transport has been lacking ever since. Here we
provide experimental evidence for ballistic heat transport in a S=1/2
Heisenberg chain. In particular, we investigate high purity samples of the
chain cuprate SrCuO2 and observe a huge magnetic heat conductivity
. An extremely large spinon mean free path of more than a
micrometer demonstrates that is only limited by extrinsic
scattering processes which is a clear signature of ballistic transport in the
underlying spin model
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