21,322 research outputs found
Unravelling the Mysteries of the Leo Ring: An Absorption Line Study of an Unusual Gas Cloud
Since the 1980's discovery of the large (2x10^9 Msun) intergalactic cloud
known as the Leo Ring, this object has been the center of a lively debate about
its origin. Determining the origin of this object is still important as we
develop a deeper understanding of the accretion and feedback processes that
shape galaxy evolution. We present HST/COS observations of three sightlines
near the Ring, two of which penetrate the high column density neutral hydrogen
gas visible in 21 cm observations of the object. These observations provide the
first direct measurement of the metallicity of the gas in the Ring, an
important clue to its origins. Our best estimate of the metallicity of the ring
is ~10% Zsun, higher than expected for primordial gas but lower than expected
from an interaction. We discuss possible modifications to the interaction and
primordial gas scenarios that would be consistent with this metallicity
measurement.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, accepted Ap
Resolution-enhanced Mapping Spectrometer
A familiar mapping spectrometer implementation utilizes two dimensional detector arrays with spectral dispersion along one direction and spatial along the other. Spectral images are formed by spatially scanning across the scene (i.e., push-broom scanning). For imaging grating and prism spectrometers, the slit is perpendicular to the spatial scan direction. For spectrometers utilizing linearly variable focal-plane-mounted filters the spatial scan direction is perpendicular to the direction of spectral variation. These spectrometers share the common limitation that the number of spectral resolution elements is given by the number of pixels along the spectral (or dispersive) direction. Resolution enhancement by first passing the light input to the spectrometer through a scanned etalon or Michelson is discussed. Thus, while a detector element is scanned through a spatial resolution element of the scene, it is also temporally sampled. The analysis for all the pixels in the dispersive direction is addressed. Several specific examples are discussed. The alternate use of a Michelson for the same enhancement purpose is also discussed. Suitable for weight constrained deep space missions, hardware systems were developed including actuators, sensor, and electronics such that low-resolution etalons with performance required for implementation would weigh less than one pound
A 6.5 GHz-11.5 GHz source using a grid amplifier with a twist reflector
The authors have constructed and tested an oscillator using a grid amplifier with external feedback from a twist reflector. The twist reflector serves two functions; it changes the output polarization to match the input, and its position sets the feedback phase. This permits a wider tuning range than has been possible with previous grid oscillators. The source could be continuously tuned from 8.2 GHz to 11.0 GHz by moving the twist reflector. By moving the polarizer and mirror in the twist reflector independently, a 1.8-to-1 frequency range from 6.5 GHz to 11.5 GHz was achieved. The peak effective radiated power was 6.3 W at 9.9 GHz
Exotic Axions
We show that axion phenomenology may be significantly different than
conventionally assumed in theories which exhibit late phase transitions (below
the QCD scale). In such theories one can find multiple pseudoscalars with
axion-like couplings to matter, including a string scale axion, whose decay
constant far exceeds the conventional cosmological bound. Such theories have
several dark matter candidates.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, References adde
A 10 GHz Quasi-Optical Grid Amplifier Using Integrated HBT Differential Pairs
We report the fabrication and testing of a 10 GHz grid amplifier utilizing sixteen GaAs chips each
containing an HBT differential pair plus integral bias/feedback resistors. The overall amplifier consists of
a 4x4 array of unit cells on an RT Duroid™ board having a relative permittivity of 2.2. Each unit cell
consists of an emitter-coupled differential pair at the center, an input antenna which extends horizontally
in both directions from the two base leads, an output antenna which extends vertically in both directions
from the two collector leads, and high inductance bias lines. In operation, the active grid array is placed
between a pair of crossed polarizers. The horizontally polarized input wave passes through the input
polarizer and couples to the input leads. An amplified current then flows on the vertical leads, which
radiate a vertically polarized amplified signal through the output polarizer. The polarizers serve dual
functions, providing both input-output isolation as well as independent impedance matching for the input
and output ports. The grid thus functions essentially as a free-space beam amplifier. Calculations indicate
that output powers of several watts per square centimeter of grid area should be attainable with optimized
structures
Young Globular Clusters and Dwarf Spheroidals
Most of the globular clusters in the main body of the Galactic halo were
formed almost simultaneously. However, globular cluster formation in dwarf
spheroidal galaxies appears to have extended over a significant fraction of a
Hubble time. This suggests that the factors which suppressed late-time
formation of globulars in the main body of the Galactic halo were not operative
in dwarf spheroidal galaxies. Possibly the presence of significant numbers of
``young'' globulars at R_{GC} > 15 kpc can be accounted for by the assumption
that many of these objects were formed in Sagittarius-like (but not
Fornax-like) dwarf spheroidal galaxies, that were subsequently destroyed by
Galactic tidal forces. It would be of interest to search for low-luminosity
remnants of parental dwarf spheroidals around the ``young'' globulars Eridanus,
Palomar 1, 3, 14, and Terzan 7. Furthermore multi-color photometry could be
used to search for the remnants of the super-associations, within which outer
halo globular clusters originally formed. Such envelopes are expected to have
been tidally stripped from globulars in the inner halo.Comment: 18 pages, with 2 figures, in LaTeX format; to appear in the
Astrophysical Journal in February 200
Gain and Stability Models for HBT Grid Amplifiers
A 16-element heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) grid amplifier has been fabricated with a peak gain of 11 dB at 9.9 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 350 MHz. We report a gain analysis model for the grid and give a comparison of the measurement and theory. The measured patterns show the evidence of a common-mode oscillation. A stability model for the common-mode oscillation is developed. Based on the stability model, a lumped capacitor gives suitable phase shift of the circular function, thus stabilizing the grid. A second 18-element grid was fabricated, using this theory, with improved stability
Beta lives - some statistical perspectives on the capital asset pricing model
This note summarizes some technical issues relevant to the use of the idea of excess return in empirical modelling. We cover the case where the aim is to construct a measure of expected return on an asset and a model of the CAPM type is used. We review some of the problems and show examples where the basic CAPM may be used to develop other results which relate the expected returns on assets both to the expected return on the market and other factors
- …