1,246 research outputs found
How does star formation proceed in the circumnuclear starburst ring of NGC 6951?
Gas inflowing along stellar bars is often stalled at the location of
circumnuclear rings, that form an effective reservoir for massive star
formation and thus shape the central regions of galaxies. However, how exactly
star formation is proceeding within these circumnuclear starburst rings is
subject of debate. Two main scenarios for this process have been put forward:
In the first the onset of star formation is regulated by the total amount of
gas present in the ring with star forming starting once a mass threshold has
reached in a `random' position within the ring like `popcorn'. In the second
star formation preferentially takes place near the locations where the gas
enters the ring. This scenario has been dubbed `pearls-on-a-string'. Here we
combine new optical IFU data covering the full stellar bar with existing
multi-wavelength data to study in detail the 580 pc radius circumnuclear
starburst ring in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 6951. Using HST archival data
together with Sauron and Oasis IFU data, we derive the ages and stellar masses
of star clusters as well as the total stellar content of the central region.
Adding information on the molecular gas distribution, stellar and gaseous
dynamics and extinction, we find that the circumnuclear ring in NGC 6951 is
~1-1.5 Gyr old and has been forming stars for most of that time. We see
evidence for preferred sites of star formation within the ring, consistent with
the `pearls-on-a-string' scenario, when focusing on the youngest stellar
populations. Due to the ring's longevity this signature is washed out when
older stellar populations are included in the analysis.Comment: accepted for publication in A&A, 15 page
Explaining two circumnuclear star forming rings in NGC5248
The distribution of gas in the central kiloparsec of a galaxy has a
dynamically rapid evolution. Nonaxisymmetries in the gravitational potential of
the galactic disk, such as a large scale stellar bar or spiral, can lead to
significant radial motion of gaseous material from larger radii to the central
region. The large influx of gas and the subsequent star formation keep the
central region constantly changing. However, the ability of gas to reach the
nucleus proper to fuel an AGN phase is not guaranteed. Gas inflow can be halted
at a circumnuclear star forming ring several hundred parsec away. The nearby
galaxy NGC5248 is especially interesting in this sense since it is said to host
2 circumnuclear star forming rings at 100pc and 370pc from its quiescent
nucleus. Here we present new subarcsecond PdBI+30m CO(2-1) emission line
observations of the central region. For the first time the molecular gas
distribution at the smallest stellar ring is resolved into a gas ring,
consistent with the presence of a quiescent nucleus. However, the molecular gas
shows no ring structure at the larger ring. We combine analyses of the gaseous
and stellar content in the central kiloparsec of this galaxy to understand the
gas distribution and dynamics of this star forming central region. We discuss
the probability of two scenarios leading to the current observations, given our
full understanding of this system, and discuss whether there are really two
circumnuclear star forming rings in this galaxy.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 14pages + long tabl
Strain dependence of the Mn anisotropy in ferromagnetic semiconductors observed by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism
We demonstrate sensitivity of the Mn 3d valence states to strain in the
ferromagnetic semiconductors (Ga,Mn)As and (Al,Ga,Mn)As, using x-ray magnetic
circular dichroism (XMCD). The spectral shape of the Mn XMCD is
dependent on the orientation of the magnetization, and features with cubic and
uniaxial dependence are distinguished. Reversing the strain reverses the sign
of the uniaxial anisotropy of the Mn pre-peak which is ascribed to
transitions from the Mn 2p core level to p-d hybridized valence band hole
states. With increasing carrier localization, the pre-peak intensity
increases, indicating an increasing 3d character of the hybridized holes.Comment: 4 pages plus 2 figures, accepted for publication in Physical Review
Molecular gas in NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA) XV. Molecular gas kinematics in the inner 3kpc of NGC6951
Within the NUclei of GAlaxies project we have obtained IRAM PdBI and 30m
12CO(1-0) and 12CO(2-1) observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 6951. Previous
work shows that there is indirect evidence of gas inflow from 3 kpc down to
small radii: a large-scale stellar bar, a prominent starburst ring (r~580 pc)
and a LINER/Seyfert 2 nucleus. In this paper we study the gas kinematics as
traced by the CO line emission in detail. We quantify the influence of the
large-scale stellar bar by constructing an analytical model of the evolution of
gas particles in a barred potential. From this model gravitational torques and
mass accumulation rates are computed. We compare our model-based gravitational
torque results with previous observationally-based ones. The model also shows
that the large-scale stellar bar is indeed the dominant force for driving the
gas inward, to the starburst ring. Inside the ring itself a nuclear stellar
oval might play an important role. Detailed analysis of the CO gas kinematics
there shows that emission arises from two co-spatial, but kinematically
distinct components at several locations. The main emission component can
always be related to the overall bar-driven gas kinematics. The second
component exhibits velocities that are larger than expected for gas on stable
orbits, has a molecular gas mass of 1.8x10^6Msun, is very likely connected to
the nuclear stellar oval, and is consistent with inflowing motion towards the
very center. This may form the last link in the chain of gas inflow towards the
active galactic nucleus in NGC 6951.Comment: 17 pages, accepted by A&A (17 feb 2011
Comment on ``Spin Polarization and Magnetic Circular Dichroism in Photoemission from the 2p Core Level of Ferromagnetic Ni''
Although the Ni_4 cluster includes more information regarding the Ni band
structure with respect to the Anderson impurity model, it also favors very
peculiar ground states which are incompatible with a coherent picture of all
dichroism experiments.Comment: 1 page, RevTeX, 1 epsf figur
Current and future management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in the UK
A rising number of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) isolates are being identified in UK clinical practice. There are many uncertainties around the management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), including its epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Regional variations in how patients with NTM-PD are managed reflects the lack of standardised pathways in the UK. Service optimisation and multidisciplinary working can improve the quality of care for patients with NTM-PD, including (1) better identification of patients at risk of NTM-PD and modification of risk factors where applicable; (2) standardisation of reference laboratory testing to offer clinicians access to accurate and prompt information on NTM species and drug sensitivities; (3) development of recognised specialist NTM nursing care; (4) standardisation of NTM-PD imaging strategies for monitoring of treatment and disease progression; (5) establishment of a hub-and-spoke model of care, including clear referral and management pathways, dedicated NTM-PD multidisciplinary teams, and long-term patient follow-up; (6) formation of clinical networks to link experts who manage diseases associated with NTM; (7) enabling patients to access relevant support groups that can provide information and support for their condition; and (8) development of NTM research groups to allow patient participation in clinical trials and to facilitate professional education
Heating and cooling of the neutral ISM in the NGC4736 circumnuclear ring
The manner in which gas accretes and orbits within circumnuclear rings has
direct implications for the star formation process. In particular, gas may be
compressed and shocked at the inflow points, resulting in bursts of star
formation at these locations. Afterwards the gas and young stars move together
through the ring. In addition, star formation may occur throughout the ring, if
and when the gas reaches sufficient density to collapse under gravity. These
two scenarios for star formation in rings are often referred to as the `pearls
on a string' and `popcorn' paradigms. In this paper, we use new Herschel PACS
observations, obtained as part of the KINGFISH Open Time Key Program, along
with archival Spitzer and ground-based observations from the SINGS Legacy
project, to investigate the heating and cooling of the interstellar medium in
the nearby star-forming ring galaxy, NGC4736. By comparing spatially resolved
estimates of the stellar FUV flux available for heating, with the gas and dust
cooling derived from the FIR continuum and line emission, we show that while
star formation is indeed dominant at the inflow points in NGC 4736, additional
star formation is needed to balance the gas heating and cooling throughout the
ring. This additional component most likely arises from the general increase in
gas density in the ring over its lifetime. Our data provide strong evidence,
therefore, for a combination of the two paradigms for star formation in the
ring in NGC4736.Comment: accepted for publication in A&
Magnetic circular dichroism of x-ray absorption spectroscopy at rare-earth L2,3 edges in RE2Fe14B compounds (RE = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu)
Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) in the x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS)
at the L2,3 edges for almost entire series of rare-earth (RE) elements in
RE2Fe14B, is studied experimentally and theoretically. By a quantitative
comparison of the complicated MCD spectral shapes, we find that (i) the 4f-5d
intra-atomic exchange interaction not only induces the spin and orbital
polarization of the 5d states, which is vital for the MCD spectra of the
electric dipole transition from the 2p core states to the empty 5d conduction
band, but also it accompanies a contraction of the radial part of the 5d wave
function depending on its spin and orbital state, which results in the
enhancement of the 2p-5d dipole matrix element, (ii) there are cases where the
spin polarization of the 5d states due to the hybridization with the spin
polarized 3d states of surrounding irons plays important roles, and (iii) the
electric quadrupole transition from the 2p core states to the magnetic vale!
nce 4f states is appreciable at the pre-edge region of the dipole spectrum.
Especially, our results evidence that it is important to include the
enhancement effect of the dipole matrix element in the correct interpretation
of the MCD spectra at the RE L2,3 edges.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, 1 table, REVTe
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