Correlations of Power-law Spectral and QPO Features In Black Hole Candidate Sources

Recent studies have shown that strong correlations are observed between low frequency QPO`s and the spectral power law index for a number of black hole candidate sources (BHC's), when these sources exhibit quasi-steady hard x-ray emission states. The dominant long standing interpretation of QPO's is that they are produced in and are the signature of the thermal accretion disk. Paradoxically, strong QPO`s are present even in the cases where the thermal component is negligible. We present a model which identifies the origin of the QPO's and relates them directly to the properties of a compact coronal region which is bounded by the adjustment from Keplerian to sub-Keplerian inflow into the BH and which is primarily responsible for the observed power law spectrum. The model also predicts the relationship between high and low frequency QPO's and shows how BH's can be unique identified from observations of the soft states of NS's and BHC's.Comment: 2 pages, to be published in Proc. of International Conference on Stellar Mass, Intermediate Mass and Super Massive Black Holes, Oct. 28-31, 2003, Kyoto, Japa

Dynamic Hardness Tester and Cure Meter

The Shore hardness tester is used extensively throughout industry to determine the static modulus of materials. The new apparatus described here extends the capability of an indentor-type tester into the dynamic regime, and provides a measurement of the dynamic shear or Young's modulus and loss factor as a function of frequency. The instrument, model and data of typical rubber samples are given and compared to other dynamic measurements

Spectral Index and Quasi-Periodic Oscillation Frequency Correlation in Black Hole (BH) Sources: Observational Evidence of Two Phases and Phase Transition in BHs

Recent studies have shown that strong correlations are observed between the low frequencies (1-10 Hz) of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) and the spectral power law index of several Black Hole (BH) candidate sources, in low hard state, steep power-law (soft) state and in transition between these states. We provide a model, that identifies and explains the origin of the QPOs and how they are imprinted on the properties of power-law flux component. We argue the existence of a bounded compact coronal region which is a natural consequence of the adjustment of Keplerian disk flow to the innermost sub-Keplerian boundary conditions near the central object and that ultimately leads to the formation of a transition layer (TL) between the adjustment radius and the innermost boundary. The model predicts two phases or states dictated by the photon upscattering produced in the TL: (1) hard state, in which the TL is optically thin and very hot (kT ~ 50 keV) producing photon upscattering via thermal Componization; the photon spectrum index Gamma~1.7 for this state is dictated by gravitational energy release and Compton cooling in an optically thin shock near the adjustment radius; (2) a soft state which is optically thick and relatively cold (kT~5 keV); the index for this state, Gamma~2.8 is determined by soft-photon upscattering and photon trapping in converging flow into BH.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Is M82 X-1 Really An Intermediate-Mass Black Hole? X-ray Spectral and Timing Evidence

Ultra-luminous X-ray sources (ULXs) with apparent luminosities up to 100's of times the Eddington luminosity for a neutron star have been discovered in external galaxies. The existence of intermediate mass black holes has been proposed to explain these sources. We present evidence for an intermediate-mass black hole in the ULX M82 X-1 based on the spectral features and timing (QPO) properties of the X-radiation from this source. We revisited XMM Newton and RXTE data for M82 X-1 obtained in 2001 and 1997 for XMM and RXTE respectively. We show for these observations that the source is either in transition or in a high/soft state with photon spectral indices 2.1 and 2.7 respectively. We confirm the early determination of the QPO frequency ~ 55 mHz in this source by Strohmayer & Mushotzky and identify this as the low frequency QPO for the source. We apply a new method to determine the BH mass of M82 X-1. The method uses the index-QPO low frequency correlation that has been recently been established in galactic black hole candidates GRS 1915+105, XTE J1550-564, 4U 1630-47 and others. Using scaling arguments and the correlation derived from consideration of galactic BHs, we conclude that M82 X-1 is an intermediate BH with a mass of the order of 1000 solar masses.Comment: 7 pages and 3 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters, v.614, 2004, October 2

Towards noninvasive estimation of tumour pressure by utilising MR elastography and nonlinear biomechanical models: a simulation and phantom study

International audienceThe solid and fluid pressures of tumours are often elevated relative to surrounding tissue. This increased pressure is known to correlate with decreased treatment efficacy and potentially with tumour aggressiveness and therefore, accurate noninvasive estimates of tumour pressure would be of great value. We present a proof-of-concept method to infer the total tumour pressure, that is the sum of the fluid and solid parts, by examining stiffness in the peritumoural tissue with MR elastography and utilising nonlinear biomechanical models. The pressure from the tumour deforms the surrounding tissue leading to changes in stiffness. Understanding and accounting for these biases in stiffness has the potential to enable estimation of total tumour pressure. Simulations are used to validate the method with varying pressure levels, tumour shape, tumour size, and noise levels. Results show excellent matching in low noise cases and still correlate well with higher noise. Percent error remains near or below 10% for higher pressures in all noise level cases. Reconstructed pressures were also calculated from experiments with a catheter balloon embedded in a plastisol phantom at multiple inflation levels. Here the reconstructed pressures generally match the increases in pressure measured during the experiments. Percent errors between average reconstructed and measured pressures at four inflation states are 17.9%, 52%, 23.2%, and 0.9%. Future work will apply this method to in vivo data, potentially providing an important biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment

Visualization of superfluid helium flow

We discuss an experimental technique to visualize motion in the bulk of superfluid 4 He by tracking micron-sized solid hydrogen tracers. The behavior of the tracers is complex since they may be trapped by the quantized vortices while also interacting with the normal fluid via Stokes drag. We discuss the mechanism by which tracers may be trapped by quantized vortices as well as the dependencies on hydrogen volume fraction, temperature, and flow properties. We apply this technique to study the dynamics of a thermal counterflow. Our observations serve as a direct confirmation of the two-fluid model as well as a quantitative test of the normal fluid velocity dependence on the applied heat flux

Impact of axisymmetric deformation on MR elastography of a nonlinear tissue-mimicking material and implications in peri-tumour stiffness quantification

International audienceSolid tumour growth is often associated with the accumulation of mechanical stresses acting on the surrounding host tissue. Due to tissue nonlinearity, the shear modulus of the peri-tumoural region inherits a signature from the tumour expansion which depends on multiple factors, including the soft tissue constitutive behaviour and its stress/strain state. Shear waves used in MR-elastography (MRE) sense the apparent change in shear modulus along their propagation direction, thereby probing the anisotropic stiffness field around the tumour. We developed an analytical framework for a heterogeneous shear modulus distribution using a thick-shelled sphere approximation of the tumour and soft tissue ensemble. A hyperelastic material (plastisol) was identified to validate the proposed theory in a phantom setting. A balloon-catheter connected to a pressure sensor was used to replicate the stress generated from tumour pressure and growth while MRE data were acquired. The shear modulus anisotropy retrieved from the reconstructed elastography data confirmed the analytically predicted patterns at various levels of inflation. An alternative measure, combining the generated deformation and the local wave direction and independent of the reconstruction strategy, was also proposed to correlate the analytical findings with the stretch probed by the waves. Overall, this work demonstrates that MRE in combination with non-linear mechanics, is able to identify the apparent shear modulus variation arising from the strain generated by a growth within tissue, such as an idealised model of tumour. Investigation in real tissue represents the next step to further investigate the implications of endogenous forces in tissue characterisation through MR

Comparison of Optical Transition Radiation Simulations and Theory

The majority of optical diagnostics currently used will not stand up to the requirements of the next generation of particle accelerators. Current methodologies need innovation to be able to reach the sub-micrometre resolution and sensitivity that will be required. One technique that has the potential to meet these requirements is optical transition radiation (OTR) imaging. A new algorithm is proposed which incorporates OTR theory, optical effects and beam distribution. This algorithm takes an existing method used for beam imaging and pushes the limits resolution beyond that normally attainable. In doing so, it can provide a reliable and economical diagnostic for future accelerators. A discussion on further applications of the algorithm is also presented

High Resolution and Dynamic Range Characterisation of Beam Imaging Systems

Any imaging system requires the use of various optical components to transfer the light from the source, e.g. optical radiation generated by a charged particle beam, to the sensor. The impact of the transfer optics on the image resolution is often not well known. To improve this situation, the point spread function (PSF) of the optical system must be measured, preferably, with high dynamic range. For this purpose we have created an intense, small (~ 1 μm) point source using a high quality laser and special focusing optics; and introduced a digital micro-mirror array in the optical system to substantially increase its dynamic range. The PSFs of optical systems that are currently being developed for high resolution, high dynamic range beam imaging using optical transition and diffraction radiation are measured and compared to Zemax simulations. The goal of these studies is to systematically understand and mitigate any ill effects on the PSF due to aberrations, diffraction and misalignment of the components of the imaging system. We present the results of our measurements and simulations