Bow-shock Pulsar Wind Nebulae Passing Through Density Discontinuities

Bow-shock pulsar wind nebulae are a subset of pulsar wind nebulae that form when the pulsar has high velocity due to the natal kick during the supernova explosion. The interaction between the relativistic wind from the fast-moving pulsar and the interstellar medium produces a bow-shock and a trail, which are detectable in H$_{\alpha}$ emission. Among such bow-shock pulsar wind nebulae, the Guitar Nebula stands out for its peculiar morphology, which consists of a prominent bow-shock head and a series of bubbles further behind. We present a scenario in which multiple bubbles can be produced when the pulsar encounters a series of density discontinuities in the ISM. We tested the scenario using 2-D and 3-D hydrodynamic simulations. The shape of the guitar nebula can be reproduced if the pulsar traversed a region of declining low density. We also show that if a pulsar encounters an inclined density discontinuity, it produces an asymmetric bow-shock head, consistent with observations of the bow-shock of the millisecond pulsar J2124-3358.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Energy relaxation during hot-exciton transport in quantum wells: Direct observation by spatially resolved phonon-sideband spectroscopy

We investigate the energy relaxation of excitons during the real-space transport in ZnSe quantum wells by using microphotoluminescence with spatial resolution enhanced by a solid immersion lens. The spatial evolution of the LO-phonon sideband, originating from the LO-phonon assisted recombination of hot excitons, is measured directly. By calculating the LO-phonon assisted recombination probability, we obtain the nonthermal energy distribution of excitons and observe directly the energy relaxation of hot excitons during their transport. We find the excitons remain hot during their transport on a length scale of several micrometers. Thus, the excitonic transport on this scale cannot be described by classical diffusion.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Formation of recollimation shocks in jets of high-mass X-ray binaries

We study conditions for formation of recollimation shocks in jets interacting with stellar winds in high-mass X-ray binaries. We show the existence of a critical jet power, dependent on the wind rate and velocity and the jet velocity, above which a recollimation shock is not formed. For jet powers below critical, we derive the location of the shock. We show that surface shocks may still exist above the critical power, but only occupy a small volume of the jet and do not significantly alter the jet opening angle. We test these prediction by 3-D numerical simulations, which confirm the existence and the value of the critical power. We apply our results to Cyg X-1 and Cyg X-3.Comment: MNRAS, in pres

On the structure of the quasiconvex hull in planar elasticity

Let K and L be compact sets of real 2x2 matrices with positive determinant. Suppose that both sets are frame invariant, meaning invariant under the left action of the special orthogonal group. Then we give an algebraic characterization for K and L to be incompatible for homogeneous gradient Young measures. This result permits a simplified characterization of the quasiconvex hull and the rank-one convex hull in planar elasticity

Quasiconvexity equals rank-one convexity for isotropic sets of 2x2 matrices

Let K be a given compact set of real 2x2 matrices that is isotropic, meaning invariant under the left and right action of the special orthogonal group. Then we show that the quasiconvex hull of K coincides with the rank-one convex hull (and even with the lamination convex hull of order 2). In particular, there is no difference between quasiconvexity and rank-one convexity for K. This is a generalization of a known result for connected sets

On the structure of the quasiconvex hull in planar elasticity

Let K and L be compact sets of real 2x2 matrices with positive determinant. Suppose that both sets are frame invariant, meaning invariant under the left action of the special orthogonal group. Then we give an algebraic characterization for K and L to be incompatible for homogeneous gradient Young measures. This result permits a simplified characterization of the quasiconvex hull and the rank-one convex hull in planar elasticity

A Shotgun Model for Gamma Ray Bursts

We propose that gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are produced by a shower of heavy blobs running into circumstellar material at highly relativistic speeds. The gamma ray emission is produced in the shocks these bullets drive into the surrounding medium. The short term variability seen in GRBs is set by the slowing-down time of the bullets while the overall duration of the burst is set by the lifetime of the central engine. A requirement of this model is that the ambient medium be dense, consistent with a strong stellar wind. The efficiency of the burst can be relatively high.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, revised version accepted by ApJ Letter

Hot exciton transport in ZnSe quantum wells

The in-plane transport of excitons in ZnSe quantum wells is investigated directly by microphotoluminescence in combination with a solid immersion lens. Due to the strong Froehlich coupling, the initial kinetic energy of the excitons is well controlled by choosing the excess energy of the excitation laser. When increasing the laser excess energy, we find a general trend of increasing transport length and more importantly a pronounced periodic quenching of the transport length when the excess energy corresponds to multiples of the LO-phonon energy. Such features show the dominant role of the kinetic energy of excitons in the transport process. Together with the excitation intensity dependence of the transport length, we distinguish the phonon wind driven transport of cold excitons and defect-limited hot exciton transport.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure