Strong evidences for a nonextensive behavior of the rotation period in Open Clusters

Time-dependent nonextensivity in a stellar astrophysical scenario combines nonextensive entropic indices $q_{K}$ derived from the modified Kawaler's parametrization, and $q$, obtained from rotational velocity distribution. These $q$'s are related through a heuristic single relation given by $q\approx q_{0}(1-\Delta t/q_{K})$, where $t$ is the cluster age. In a nonextensive scenario, these indices are quantities that measure the degree of nonextensivity present in the system. Recent studies reveal that the index $q$ is correlated to the formation rate of high-energy tails present in the distribution of rotation velocity. On the other hand, the index $q_{K}$ is determined by the stellar rotation-age relationship. This depends on the magnetic field configuration through the expression $q_{K}=1+4aN/3$, where $a$ and $N$ denote the saturation level of the star magnetic field and its topology, respectively. In the present study, we show that the connection $q-q_{K}$ is also consistent with 548 rotation period data for single main-sequence stars in 11 Open Clusters aged less than 1 Gyr. The value of $q_{K}\sim$ 2.5 from our unsaturated model shows that the mean magnetic field topology of these stars is slightly more complex than a purely radial field. Our results also suggest that stellar rotational braking behavior affects the degree of anti-correlation between $q$ and cluster age $t$. Finally, we suggest that stellar magnetic braking can be scaled by the entropic index $q$.Comment: 6 pages and 2 figures, accepted to EPL on October 17, 201

Correlation length scalings in fusion edge plasma turbulence computations

The effect of changes in plasma parameters, that are characteristic near or at an L-H transition in fusion edge plasmas, on fluctuation correlation lengths are analysed by means of drift-Alfven turbulence computations. Scalings by density gradient length, collisionality, plasma beta, and by an imposed shear flow are considered. It is found that strongly sheared flows lead to the appearence of long-range correlations in electrostatic potential fluctuations parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field.Comment: Submitted to "Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion

Probing ferroelectricity in highly conducting materials through their elastic response: persistence of ferroelectricity in metallic BaTiO3-d

The question whether ferroelectricity (FE) may coexist with a metallic or highly conducting state, or rather it must be suppressed by the screening from the free charges, is the focus of a rapidly increasing number of theoretical studies and is finally receiving positive experimental responses. The issue is closely related to the thermoelectric and multiferroic (also magnetic) applications of FE materials, where the electrical conductivity is required or spurious. In these circumstances, the traditional methods for probing ferroelectricity are hampered or made totally ineffective by the free charges, which screen the polar response to an external electric field. This fact may explain why more than 40 years passed between the first proposals of FE metals and the present experimental and theoretical activity. The measurement of the elastic moduli, Young's modulus in the present case, versus temperature is an effective method for studying the influence of doping on a FE transition because the elastic properties are unaffected by electrical conductivity. In this manner, it is shown that the FE transitions of BaTiO3-d are not suppressed by electron doping through O vacancies; only the onset temperatures are depressed, but the magnitudes of the softenings, and hence of the piezoelectric activity, are initially even increased

A multiband radiometer and data acquisition system for remote sensing field research

Specifications are described for a recently developed prototype multispectral data acquisition system which consists of multiband radiometer with 8 bands between 0.4 and 12.5 micrometers and a data recording module to record data from the radometer and ancillary sources. The systems is adaptable to helicopter, truck, or tripod platforms, as well as hand-held operation. The general characteristics are: (1) comparatively inexpensive to acquire, maintain and operate; (2) simple to operate and calibrate; (3) complete with data hardware and software; and (4) well documented for use by researchers. The instrument system is to be commercially available and can be utilized by many researchers to obtain large numbers of accurate, calibrated spectral measurements. It can be a key element in improving and advancing the capability for field research in remote sensing

Chemical abundances and kinematics of barium stars

In this paper we present an homogeneous analysis of photospheric abundances based on high-resolution spectroscopy of a sample of 182 barium stars and candidates. We determined atmospheric parameters, spectroscopic distances, stellar masses, ages, luminosities and scale height, radial velocities, abundances of the Na, Al, $alpha$-elements, iron-peak elements, and s-process elements Y, Zr, La, Ce, and Nd. We employed the local-thermodynamic-equilibrium model atmospheres of Kurucz and the spectral analysis code {\sc moog}. We found that the metallicities, the temperatures and the surface gravities for barium stars can not be represented by a single gaussian distribution. The abundances of $alpha$-elements and iron peak elements are similar to those of field giants with the same metallicity. Sodium presents some degree of enrichment in more evolved stars that could be attributed to the NeNa cycle. As expected, the barium stars show overabundance of the elements created by the s-process. By measuring the mean heavy-element abundance pattern as given by the ratio [s/Fe], we found that the barium stars present several degrees of enrichment. We also obtained the [hs/ls] ratio by measuring the photospheric abundances of the Ba-peak and the Zr-peak elements. Our results indicated that the [s/Fe] and the [hs/ls] ratios are strongly anti-correlated with the metallicity. Our kinematical analysis showed that 90% of the barium stars belong to the thin disk population. Based on their luminosities, none of the barium stars are luminous enough to be an AGB star, nor to become self-enriched in the s-process elements. Finally, we determined that the barium stars also follow an age-metallicity relation.Comment: 30 pages, 26 figures, 18 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

A nonextensive insight to the stellar initial mass function

the present paper, we propose that the stellar initial mass distributions as known as IMF are best fitted by $q$-Weibulls that emerge within nonextensive statistical mechanics. As a result, we show that the Salpeter's slope of $\sim$2.35 is replaced when a $q$-Weibull distribution is used. Our results point out that the nonextensive entropic index $q$ represents a new approach for understanding the process of the star-forming and evolution of massive stars.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Accepted to EP