Polarimetric variations of binary stars. II. Numerical simulations for circular and eccentric binaries in Mie scattering envelopes

We present numerical simulations of the periodic polarimetric variations produced by a binary star placed at the center of an empty spherical cavity inside a circumbinary ellipsoidal and optically thin envelope made of dust grains. Mie single-scattering is considered along with pre- and post-scattering extinction factors which produce a time-varying optical depth and affect the morphology of the periodic variations. We are interested in the effects that various parameters will have on the average polarization, the amplitude of the polarimetric variations, and the morphology of the variability. We show that the absolute amplitudes of the variations are smaller for Mie scattering than for Thomson scattering. Among the four grain types that we have studied, the highest polarizations are produced by grains with sizes in the range 0.1-0.2 micron. In general, the variations are seen twice per orbit. In some cases, because spherical dust grains have an asymmetric scattering function, the polarimetric curves produced also show variations seen once per orbit. Circumstellar disks produce polarimetric variations of greater amplitude than circumbinary envelopes. Another goal of these simulations is to see if the 1978 BME (Brown, McLean, & Emslie, ApJ, 68, 415) formalism, which uses a Fourier analysis of the polarimetric variations to find the orbital inclination for Thomson-scattering envelopes, can still be used for Mie scattering. We find that this is the case, if the amplitude of the variations is sufficient and the true inclinations is i_true > 45 deg. For eccentric orbits, the first-order coefficients of the Fourier fit, instead of second-order ones, can be used to find almost all inclinations.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Astronomical Journa

Measurement of temperature profiles in hot gases by emission-absorption spectroscopy Final report

Measurement of spectral radiances and absorptances in hot gase

In-Plane Magnetolumnescence of Modulation-Doped GaAs/AlGaAs Coupled Double Quantum Wells

In-plane magnetic field photoluminescence spectra from a series of GaAs/AlGaAs coupled double quantum wells show distinctive doublet structures related to the symmetric and antisymmetric states. The magnetic field behavior of the upper transition from the antisymmetric state strongly depends on sample mobility. In lower mobility samples, the transition energy shows an $\cal N$-type kink with fields (namely a maximum followed by a minimum), whereas higher mobility samples have a linear dependence. The former is due to a homogeneous broadening of electron and hole states and the results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, submitted to Appl. Phys. Let

Photoluminescence Detected Doublet Structure in the Integer and Fractional Quantum Hall Regime

We present here the results of polarized magneto-photoluminescence measurements on a high mobility single-heterojunction. The presence of a doublet structure over a large magnetic field range (2>nu>1/6) is interpreted as possible evidence for the existence of a magneto-roton minima of the charged density waves. This is understood as an indication of strong electronic correlation even in the case of the IQHE limit.Comment: submitted to Solid State Communication

The Location of the Nucleus of NGC 1068 and the Three-dimensional Structure of Its Nuclear Region

The HST archival UV imaging polarimetry data of NGC 1068 is re-examined. Through an extensive estimation of the observational errors, we discuss whether the distribution of the position angles (PAs) of polarization is simply centrosymmetric or not. Taking into account the effect of a bad focus at the time of the observation, we conclude that, within the accuracy of HST/FOC polarimetry, the PA distribution is completely centrosymmetric. This means that the UV polarization originates only from scattering of the radiation from a central point-like source. However, our analysis shows that the most probable location of the nucleus is only ~0.''08 (~6pc) south from the brightest cloud called ``cloud B''. The error circle of 99% confidence level extends to cloud B and to ``cloud A'' which is about 0.''2 south of cloud B. By this FOC observation, Cloud B is only marginally rejected as the nucleus. Assuming that the UV flux is dominated by electron-scattered light, we have also derived a three-dimensional structure of the nuclear region. The inferred distribution suggests a linear structure which could be related to the radio jet.Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures, to be published in the Astrophysical Journa

Review of Top Quark Physics

We present an overview of Top Quark Physics - from what has been learned so far at the Tevatron, to the searches that lie ahead at present and future colliders. We summarize the richness of the measurements and discuss their possible impact on our understanding of the Standard Model by pointing out their key elements and limitations. When possible, we discuss how the top quark may provide a connection to new or unexpected physics.Comment: 84 pp. With permission from the Annual Review of Nuclear & Particle Science. Final version of this material is scheduled to appear in the Annual Review of Nuclear & Particle Science Vol. 53, to be published in December 2003 by Annual Reviews (http://www.annualreviews.org

Single top or bottom production associated with a scalar in \gamma p collision as a probe of topcolor-assisted technicolor

In the framework of the topcolor-assisted technicolor (TC2) models, we study the productions of a single top or bottom quark associated with a scalar in \gamma-p collision, which proceed via the subprocesses c\gamma -> t\pi_t^0, c\gamma -> t h_t^0 and c\gamma -> b\pi^+_t mediated by the anomalous top or bottom coupling tc\pi_t^0, tch_t^0 and bc\pi_t^+. These productions, while extremely suppressed in the Standard Model, are found to be significantly enhanced in the large part of the TC2 parameter space, especially the production via c\gamma -> b\pi^+ can have a cross section of 100 fb, which may be accessible and allow for a test of the TC2 models.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, comments and references adde

Conicoid Mirrors

The first order equation relating object and image location for a mirror of arbitrary conic-sectional shape is derived. It is also shown that the parabolic reflecting surface is the only one free of aberration and only in the limiting case of distant sources.Comment: 9 page

Coulomb Driven New Bound States at the Integer Quantum Hall States in GaAs/Al(0.3)Ga(0.7)As Single Heterojunctions

Coulomb driven, magneto-optically induced electron and hole bound states from a series of heavily doped GaAs/Al(0.3)Ga(0.7)As single heterojunctions (SHJ) are revealed in high magnetic fields. At low magnetic fields (nu > 2), the photoluminescence spectra display Shubnikov de-Haas type oscillations associated with the empty second subband transition. In the regime of the Landau filling factor nu < 1 and 1 < nu <2, we found strong bound states due to Mott type localizations. Since a SHJ has an open valence band structure, these bound states are a unique property of the dynamic movement of the valence holes in strong magnetic fields

A New Channel for the Detection of Planetary Systems Through Microlensing: II. Repeating Events

In the companion paper we began the task of systematically studying the detection of planets in wide orbits ($a > 1.5 R_E$) via microlensing surveys. In this paper we continue, focusing on repeating events. We find that, if all planetary systems are similar to our own Solar System, reasonable extensions of the present observing strategies would allow us to detect 3-6 repeating events per year along the direction to the Bulge. Indeed, if planetary systems with multiple planets are common, then future monitoring programs which lead to the discovery of thousands of stellar-lens events will likely discover events in which several different planets within a single system serve as lenses, with light curves exhibiting multiple repetitions. In this paper we discuss observing strategies to maximize the discovery of all wide-orbit planet-lens events. We also compare the likely detection rates of planets in wide orbits to those of planets located in the zone for resonant lensing. We find that, depending on the values of the planet masses and stellar radii of the lensed sources (which determine whether or not finite source size is important), and also on the sensitivity of the photometry used by observers, the detection of planets in wide orbits may be the primary route to the discovery of planets via microlensing. We also discuss how the combination of resonant and wide-orbit events can help us to learn about the distribution of planetary system properties (S 6.1). In addition, by determining the fraction of short-duration events due to planets, we indirectly derive information about the fraction of all short-duration events that may be due to low-mass MACHOs (S 6.2).Comment: 51 pages, 7 figures. To be published in the Astrophysical Journal, 20 February 1999. This completes the introduction to the discovery of planets in wide orbits begun in astro-ph/9808075, also to appear in ApJ on 20 February 199