6,351 research outputs found
Characterization of photomultiplier tubes in a novel operation mode for Secondary Emission Ionization Calorimetry
Hamamatsu single anode R7761 and multi-anode R5900-00-M16 Photomultiplier
Tubes have been characterized for use in a Secondary Emission (SE) Ionization
Calorimetry study. SE Ionization Calorimetry is a novel technique to measure
electromagnetic shower particles in extreme radiation environments. The
different operation modes used in these tests were developed by modifying the
conventional PMT bias circuit. These modifications were simple changes to the
arrangement of the voltage dividers of the baseboard circuits. The PMTs with
modified bases, referred to as operating in SE mode, are used as an SE detector
module in an SE calorimeter prototype, and placed between absorber materials
(Fe, Cu, Pb, W, etc.). Here, the technical design of different operation modes,
as well as the characterization measurements of both SE modes and the
conventional PMT mode are reported
The Hyperbolic Heisenberg and Sigma Models in (1+1)-dimensions
Hyperbolic versions of the integrable (1+1)-dimensional Heisenberg
Ferromagnet and sigma models are discussed in the context of topological
solutions classifiable by an integer `winding number'. Some explicit solutions
are presented and the existence of certain classes of such winding solutions
examined.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, Latex, personal style file included tensind.sty,
Proof in section 3 altered, no changes to conclusion
Quantum graphs where back-scattering is prohibited
We describe a new class of scattering matrices for quantum graphs in which
back-scattering is prohibited. We discuss some properties of quantum graphs
with these scattering matrices and explain the advantages and interest in their
study. We also provide two methods to build the vertex scattering matrices
needed for their construction.Comment: 15 page
The Orbit and Occultations of KH 15D
The unusual flux variations of the pre-main-sequence binary star KH 15D have
been attributed to occultations by a circumbinary disk. We test whether or not
this theory is compatible with newly available data, including recent radial
velocity measurements, CCD photometry over the past decade, and photographic
photometry over the past 50 years. We find the model to be successful, after
two refinements: a more realistic motion of the occulting feature, and a halo
around each star that probably represents scattering by the disk. The occulting
feature is exceptionally sharp-edged, raising the possibility that the dust in
the disk has settled into a thin layer, and providing a tool for fine-scale
mapping of the immediate environment of a T Tauri star. However, the window of
opportunity is closing, as the currently visible star may be hidden at all
orbital phases by as early as 2008.Comment: To appear in ApJ [16 pages, 13 figures
Observation of a continuous phase transition in a shape-memory alloy
Elastic neutron-scattering, inelastic x-ray scattering, specific-heat, and
pressure-dependent electrical transport measurements have been made on single
crystals of AuZn and Au_{0.52}Zn_{0.48} above and below their martensitic
transition temperatures (T_M=64K and 45K, respectively). In each composition,
elastic neutron scattering detects new commensurate Bragg peaks (modulation)
appearing at Q = (1.33,0.67,0) at temperatures corresponding to each sample's
T_M. Although the new Bragg peaks appear in a discontinuous manner in the
Au_{0.52}Zn_{0.48} sample, they appear in a continuous manner in AuZn.
Surprising us, the temperature dependence of the AuZn Bragg peak intensity and
the specific-heat jump near the transition temperature are in favorable accord
with a mean-field approximation. A Landau-theory-based fit to the pressure
dependence of the transition temperature suggests the presence of a critical
endpoint in the AuZn phase diagram located at T_M*=2.7K and p*=3.1GPa, with a
quantum saturation temperature \theta_s=48.3 +/- 3.7K.Comment: 6 figure
The spin-orbit angles of the transiting exoplanets WASP-1b, WASP-24b, WASP-38b and HAT-P-8b from Rossiter-McLaughlin observations
We present observations of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect for the transiting
exoplanet systems WASP-1, WASP-24, WASP-38 and HAT-P-8, and deduce the
orientations of the planetary orbits with respect to the host stars' rotation
axes. The planets WASP-24b, WASP-38b and HAT-P-8b appear to move in prograde
orbits and be well aligned, having sky-projected spin orbit angles consistent
with zero: {\lambda} = -4.7 \pm 4.0{\deg}, {\lambda} = 15 + 33{\deg}/-43{\deg}
and {\lambda} = -9.7 +9.0{\deg}/-7.7{\deg}, respectively. The host stars have
Teff < 6250 K and conform with the trend of cooler stars having low
obliquities. WASP-38b is a massive planet on a moderately long period,
eccentric orbit so may be expected to have a misaligned orbit given the high
obliquities measured in similar systems. However, we find no evidence for a
large spin-orbit angle. By contrast, WASP-1b joins the growing number of
misaligned systems and has an almost polar orbit, {\lambda} = -79
+4.5{\deg}/-4.3{\deg}. It is neither very massive, eccentric nor orbiting a hot
host star, and therefore does not share the properties of many other misaligned
systems.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS, 13 pages, 8 tables, 6 figures. Includes revised
parameter values for WASP-38 and HAT-P-
PMN J1838-3427: A new gravitationally lensed quasar
We report the discovery of a new double-image quasar that was found during a
search for gravitational lenses in the southern sky. Radio source PMN
J1838-3427 is composed of two flat-spectrum components with separation 1", flux
density ratio 14:1 and matching spectral indices, in VLA and VLBA images.
Ground-based BRI images show the optical counterpart (total I=18.6) is also
double with the same separation and position angle as the radio components. An
HST/WFPC2 image reveals the lens galaxy. The optical flux ratio (27:1) is
higher than the radio value probably due to differential extinction of the
components by the lens galaxy. An optical spectrum of the bright component
contains quasar emission lines at z=2.78 and several absorption features,
including prominent Ly-alpha absorption. The lens galaxy redshift could not be
measured but is estimated to be z=0.36 +/- 0.08. The image configuration is
consistent with the simplest plausible models for the lens potential. The flat
radio spectrum and observed variability of PMN J1838-3427 suggest the time
delay between flux variations of the components is measurable, and could thus
provide an independent measurement of H_0.Comment: 23 pages, incl. 6 figures, to appear in A.J.; replaced with accepted
version; minor changes to text, improved figure
Rossiter-McLaughlin Effect Measurements for WASP-16, WASP-25 and WASP-31
We present new measurements of the Rossiter-McLaughlin (RM) effect for three
WASP planetary systems, WASP-16, WASP-25 and WASP-31, from a combined analysis
of their complete sets of photometric and spectroscopic data. We find a low
amplitude RM effect for WASP-16 (Teff = 5700 \pm 150K), suggesting that the
star is a slow rotator and thus of an advanced age, and obtain a projected
alignment angle of lambda = -4.2 degrees +11.0 -13.9. For WASP-25 (Teff =
5750\pm100K) we detect a projected spin-orbit angle of lambda = 14.6 degrees
\pm6.7. WASP-31 (Teff = 6300\pm100K) is found to be well-aligned, with a
projected spin-orbit angle of lambda = 2.8degrees \pm3.1. A circular orbit is
consistent with the data for all three systems, in agreement with their
respective discovery papers. We consider the results for these systems in the
context of the ensemble of RM measurements made to date. We find that whilst
WASP-16 fits the hypothesis of Winn et al. (2010) that 'cool' stars (Teff <
6250K) are preferentially aligned, WASP-31 has little impact on the proposed
trend. We bring the total distribution of the true spin-orbit alignment angle,
psi, up to date, noting that recent results have improved the agreement with
the theory of Fabrycky & Tremaine (2007) at mid-range angles. We also suggest a
new test for judging misalignment using the Bayesian Information Criterion,
according to which WASP-25 b's orbit should be considered to be aligned.Comment: 20 pages, 14 tables, 10 figures. Accepted to MNRA
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