24,869 research outputs found
Numerical Models for the Diffuse Ionized Gas in Galaxies. II. Three-dimensional radiative transfer in inhomogeneous interstellar structures as a tool for analyzing the diffuse ionized gas
Aims: We systematically explore a plausible subset of the parameter space
involving effective temperatures and metallicities of the ionizing stellar
sources, the effects of the hardening of their radiation by surrounding leaky
HII regions with different escape fractions, as well as different scenarios for
the clumpiness of the DIG, and compute the resulting line strength ratios for a
number of diagnostic optical emission lines.
Methods: For the ionizing fluxes we compute a grid of stellar spectral energy
distributions (SEDs) from detailed, fully non-LTE model atmospheres that
include the effects of stellar winds and line blocking and blanketing. To
calculate the ionization and temperature structure in the HII regions and the
diffuse ionized gas we use spherically symmetric photoionization models as well
as state-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) non-LTE radiative transfer
simulations, considering hydrogen, helium, and the most abundant metals.
Results: We provide quantitative predictions of how the line ratios from HII
regions and the DIG vary as a function of metallicity, stellar effective
temperature, and escape fraction from the HII region. The range of predicted
line ratios reinforces the hypothesis that the DIG is ionized by (filtered)
radiation from hot stars; however, comparison of observed and predicted line
ratios indicates that the DIG is typically ionized with a softer SED than
predicted by the chosen stellar population synthesis model. Even small changes
in simulation parameters like the clumping factor can lead to considerable
variation in the ionized volume. Both for a more homogeneous gas and a very
inhomogeneous gas containing both dense clumps and channels with low gas
density, the ionized region in the dilute gas above the galactic plane can
cease to be radiation-bounded, allowing the ionizing radiation to leak into the
intergalactic medium.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, accepted by A&
Non-LTE models for synthetic spectra of type Ia supernovae. III. An accelerated lambda iteration procedure for the mutual interaction of strong spectral lines in SN Ia models with and without energy deposition
Context. Spectroscopic analyses to interpret the spectra of the brightest
supernovae from the UV to the near-IR provide a powerful tool with great
astrophysical potential for the determination of the physical state of the
ejecta, their chemical composition, and the SNe distances even at significant
redshifts.
Methods. We report on improvements of computing synthetic spectra for SNIa
with respect to i) an improved and sophisticated treatment of thousands of
strong lines that interact intricately with the "pseudo-continuum" formed
entirely by Doppler- shifted spectral lines, ii) an improved and expanded
atomic database, and iii) the inclusion of energy deposition within the ejecta.
Results. We show that an accelerated lambda iteration procedure we have
developed for the mutual interaction of strong spectral lines appearing in the
atmospheres of SNeIa solves the longstanding problem of transferring the
radiative energy from the UV into the optical regime. In detail we discuss
applications of the diagnostic technique by example of a standard SNIa, where
the comparison of calculated and observed spectra revealed that in the early
phases the consideration of the energy deposition within the spectrum-forming
regions of the ejecta does not qualitatively alter the shape of the spectra.
Conclusions. The results of our investigation lead to an improved
understanding of how the shape of the spectrum changes radically as function of
depth in the ejecta, and show how different emergent spectra are formed as a
result of the particular physical properties of SNe Ia ejecta and the resulting
peculiarities in the radiative transfer. This provides an important insight
into the process of extracting information from observed SNIa spectra, since
these spectra are a complex product of numerous unobservable SNIa spectral
features which are thus analyzed in parallel to the observable spectral
features.Comment: 27 pages, 19 figures. Submitted to A&A, revised versio
Direct measurement of molecular stiffness and damping in confined water layers
We present {\em direct} and {\em linear} measurements of the normal stiffness
and damping of a confined, few molecule thick water layer. The measurements
were obtained by use of a small amplitude (0.36 ), off-resonance
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) technique. We measured stiffness and damping
oscillations revealing up to 7 layers separated by 2.56 0.20
. Relaxation times could also be calculated and were found to
indicate a significant slow-down of the dynamics of the system as the confining
separation was reduced. We found that the dynamics of the system is determined
not only by the interfacial pressure, but more significantly by solvation
effects which depend on the exact separation of tip and surface. Thus `
solidification\rq seems to not be merely a result of pressure and confinement,
but depends strongly on how commensurate the confining cavity is with the
molecule size. We were able to model the results by starting from the simple
assumption that the relaxation time depends linearly on the film stiffness.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, will be submitted to PR
Spiral vortices traveling between two rotating defects in the Taylor-Couette system
Numerical calculations of vortex flows in Taylor-Couette systems with counter
rotating cylinders are presented. The full, time dependent Navier-Stokes
equations are solved with a combination of a finite difference and a Galerkin
method. Annular gaps of radius ratio and of several heights are
simulated. They are closed by nonrotating lids that produce localized Ekman
vortices in their vicinity and that prevent axial phase propagation of spiral
vortices. Existence and spatio temporal properties of rotating defects, of
modulated Ekman vortices, and of the spiral vortex structures in the bulk are
elucidated in quantitative detail.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure
Achieving equity through 'gender autonomy': the challenges for VET policy and practice
This paper is based on research carried out in an EU Fifth Framework project on 'Gender and Qualification'. The research partners from five European countries investigated the impact of gender segregation in European labour markets on vocational education and training, with particular regard to competences and qualifications. The research explored the part played by gender in the vocational education and training experiences of (i) young adults entering specific occupations in child care, electrical engineering and food preparation/service (ii) adults changing occupations
- …