Very Rapid High-Amplitude Gamma-ray Variability in Luminous Blazar PKS 1510-089 Studied with Fermi-LAT

Here we report on the detailed analysis of the gamma-ray light curve of a luminous blazar PKS1510-089 observed in the GeV range with the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi satellite during the period 2011 September -- December. By investigating the properties of the detected three major flares with the shortest possible time binning allowed by the photon statistics, we find a variety of temporal characteristics and variability patterns. This includes a clearly asymmetric profile (with a faster flux rise and a slower decay) of the flare resolved on sub-daily timescales, a superposition of many short uncorrelated flaring events forming the apparently coherent longer-duration outburst, and a huge single isolated outburst unresolved down to the timescale of three-hours. In the latter case we estimate the corresponding gamma-ray flux doubling timescale to be below one hour, which is extreme and never previously reported for any active galaxy in the GeV range. The other unique finding is that the total power released during the studied rapid and high-amplitude flares constitute the bulk of the power radiatively dissipated in the source, and a significant fraction of the total kinetic luminosity of the underlying relativistic outflow. Our analysis allows us to access directly the characteristic timescales involved in shaping the energy dissipation processes in the source, and to provide constraints on the location and the structure of the blazar emission zone in PKS1510-089.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letter

A Novel Approach in Constraining Electron Spectra in Blazar Jets: The Case of Markarian 421

We report results from the observations of the well studied TeV blazar Mrk 421 with the Swift and the Suzaku satellites in December 2008. During the observation, Mrk 421 was found in a relatively low activity state, with the corresponding 2-10 keV flux of $3 \times 10^{-10}$ erg/s/cm^2. For the purpose of robust constraining the UV-to-X-ray emission continuum we selected only the data corresponding to truly simultaneous time intervals between Swift and Suzaku, allowing us to obtain a good-quality, broad-band spectrum despite a modest length (0.6 ksec) exposure. We analyzed the spectrum with the parametric forward-fitting SYNCHROTRON model implemented in XSPEC assuming two different representations of the underlying electron energy distribution, both well motivated by the current particle acceleration models: a power-law distribution above the minimum energy $\gamma_{\rm min}$ with an exponential cutoff at the maximum energy $\gamma_{\rm max}$, and a modified ultra-relativistic Maxwellian with an equilibrium energy $\gamma_{\rm eq}$. We found that the latter implies unlikely physical conditions within the blazar zone of Mrk 421. On the other hand, the exponentially moderated power-law electron distribution gives two possible sets of the model parameters: (i) flat spectrum $dN'_e/d\gamma \propto \gamma^{-1.91}$ with low minimum electron energy $\gamma_{\rm min}<10^3$, and (ii) steep spectrum $\propto \gamma^{-2.77}$ with high minimum electron energy $\gamma_{\rm min}\simeq 2\times10^4$. We discuss different interpretations of both possibilities in the context of a diffusive acceleration of electrons at relativistic, sub- or superluminal shocks. We also comment on how exactly the gamma-ray data can be used to discriminate between the proposed different scenarios.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures; accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Manipulation of Topological States and Bulk Band Gap Using Natural Heterostructures of a Topological Insulator

We have performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy on (PbSe)5(Bi2Se3)3m, which forms a natural multilayer heterostructure consisting of a topological insulator (TI) and an ordinary insulator. For m = 2, we observed a gapped Dirac-cone state within the bulk-band gap, suggesting that the topological interface states are effectively encapsulated by block layers; furthermore, it was found that the quantum confinement effect of the band dispersions of Bi2Se3 layers enhances the effective bulk-band gap to 0.5 eV, the largest ever observed in TIs. In addition, we found that the system is no longer in the topological phase at m = 1, pointing to a topological phase transition between m = 1 and 2. These results demonstrate that utilization of naturally-occurring heterostructures is a new promising strategy for realizing exotic quantum phenomena and device applications of TIs.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Iron Emission Lines on the Galactic Ridge Observed with Suzaku

In order to elucidate origin of the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission, we analyzed Suzaku data taken at various regions along the Galactic plane and studied their Fe-K emission line features. Suzaku resolved the Fe line complex into three narrow lines at ~6.4 keV,~6.7 keV and ~6.97 keV, which are K-lines from neutral (or low-ionized), He-like, and H-like iron ions, respectively. The 6.7 keV line is clearly seen in all the observed regions and its longitudinal distribution is consistent with that determined from previous observations. The 6.4 keV emission line was also found in various Galactic plane regions (b~0). Differences in flux ratios of the 6.4 keV/6.7 keV and 6.97 keV/6.7 keV lines between the Galactic plane and the Galactic center regions are studied and its implication is discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ Suzaku 3rd special issu

Evaluation of Magnetic Cutting and Polishing with Superconducting Bulks

In this paper, magnetic levitation tool with superconducting bulks is introduced as a new hollow machining technology. Magnetic levitation tool is the machine that magnet levitates above superconducting bulks and driving force of rotating magnet shaves the object. This tool is expected to use for a grinding machine and machining device because of hollow machining and micromachining by strong fixing. For using magnetic levitation tool, the attractive force, the repulsive force and rotating torque are important for grinding machine, machining outer surface and both, respectively. These forces are calculated by FEM, and compared with experimental results. The experimental results are agreed well with calculated results. However, the attractive force is one order smaller than that required in chemical mechanical polishing

Investigation of Spatial Distribution of Radiocesium in a Paddy Field as a Potential Sink

Surface soils, under various land uses, were contaminated by radionuclides that were released by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Because paddy fields are one of the main land uses in Japan, we investigated the spatial distribution of radiocesium and the influence of irrigation water in a paddy field during cultivation. Soil core samples collected at a paddy field in Fukushima showed that plowing had disturbed the original depth distribution of radiocesium. The horizontal distribution of radiocesium did not show any evidence for significant influence of radiocesium from irrigation water, and its accumulation within the paddy field, since the original amount of radiocesium was much larger than was added into the paddy field by irrigation water. However, it is possible that rainfall significantly increases the loading of radiocesium.published_or_final_versio