Heterogeneous spin state in the field-induced phase of volborthite as seen via 51V nuclear magnetic resonance

We report results of 51V NMR in the field-induced phase of volborthite Cu3V2O7(OH)dot2H2O, a spin-1/2 antiferromagnet on a distorted kagome lattice. In magnetic fields above 4.5 T, two types of V sites with different spin-echo decay rates are observed. The hyperfine field at the fast decaying sites has a distribution, while it is more homogeneous at the slowly decaying sites. Our results indicate a heterogeneous state consisting of two spatially alternating Cu spin systems, one of which exhibits anomalous spin fluctuations contrasting with the other showing a conventional static order.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Classical instability of Kerr-AdS black holes and the issue of final state

It is now established that small Kerr-Anti-de Sitter (Kerr-AdS) black holes are unstable against scalar perturbations, via superradiant amplification mechanism. We show that small Kerr-AdS black holes are also unstable against gravitational perturbations and we compute the features of this instability. We also describe with great detail the evolution of this instability. In particular, we identify its endpoint state. It corresponds to a Kerr-AdS black hole whose boundary is an Einstein universe rotating with the light velocity. This black hole is expected to be slightly oblate and to co-exist in equilibrium with a certain amount of outside radiation.Comment: 11 pages, RevTex4. v2: small typos corrected. Version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Early X-ray/UV Line Signatures of GRB Progenitors and Hypernovae

We calculate the X-ray/UV spectral line signatures expected from the interaction of a gamma-ray burst afterglow and a dense pre-burst environment produced by the progenitor. We explore the conditions under which Fe line and edge equivalent widths of $\sim$ 1 keV can arise, and discuss the possibility of gaining information about possible progenitor scenarios using X-ray metal line spectra in the first few days of a burst. A wind or supernova shell around the burst produces an X-ray absorption line spectrum and later emission lines, while a hypernova funnel model produces mainly emission lines. The Fe \ked can in some cases be more prominent than the Fe \kal line. Under simple assumptions for the input continuum luminosity, current reports of observed Fe line luminosities are compatible with an Fe-enriched funnel model, while lower values are expected in shell models.Comment: revisions to ApJ ms first submitted 8/21/99; uses a higher and flatter input spectrum, with modified implications suggesting preference for funnel model

High-field Phase Diagram and Spin Structure of Volborthite Cu3V2O7(OH)2/2H2O

We report results of 51V NMR experiments on a high-quality powder sample of volborthite Cu3V2O7(OH)2/2H2O, a spin-1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a distorted kagome lattice. Following the previous experiments in magnetic fields $B$ below 12 T, the NMR measurements have been extended to higher fields up to 31 T. In addition to the two already known ordered phases (phases I and II), we found a new high-field phase (phase III) above 25 T, at which a second magnetization step has been observed. The transition from the paramagnetic phase to the antiferromagnetic phase III occurs at 26 K, which is much higher than the transition temperatures from the paramagnetic to the lower field phases I (B < 4.5 T) and II (4.5 < B < 25 T). At low temperatures, two types of the V sites are observed with different relaxation rates and line shapes in phase III as well as in phase II. Our results indicate that both phases II and III exhibit a heterogeneous spin state consisting of two spatially alternating Cu spin systems, one of which exhibits anomalous spin fluctuations contrasting with the other showing a conventional static order. The magnetization of the latter system exhibits a sudden increase upon entering into phase III, resulting in the second magnetization step at 26 T.We discuss the possible spin structure in phase III.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figure

Correlated Timing and Spectral Variations of the Soft X-ray Transient Aquila X-1: Evidence for an Atoll classification

Based on Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer data, we discuss the classification of the soft X-ray transient Aquila X-1 in the Z/atoll scheme, and the relation of its kilohertz quasi-periodic oscillations (kHz QPO) properties to the X-ray colors. The color-color diagram shows one elongated ("banana") structure and several "islands" of data points. The power spectra of the island are best represented by a broken power-law, whereas those of the banana by a power-law below ~ 1 Hz plus an exponentially cut-off component at intermediate frequencies (30-60 Hz). The parameters of these two components change in correlation with the position of the source in the color-color diagram. Based on the pattern that the source shows in the color-color diagram and its aperiodic variability we conclude that Aquila X-1 is an atoll source. We have also investigated the possible correlation between the frequency of the kHz QPO and the position of the source in the color-color diagram. The complexity seen in the frequency versus count rate diagram is reduced to a single track when the frequency is plotted against hard or soft color.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Gravitational radiation from collapsing magnetized dust

In this article we study the influence of magnetic fields on the axial gravitational waves emitted during the collapse of a homogeneous dust sphere. We found that while the energy emitted depends weakly on the initial matter perturbations it has strong dependence on the strength and the distribution of the magnetic field perturbations. The gravitational wave output of such a collapse can be up to an order of magnitude larger or smaller calling for detailed numerical 3D studies of collapsing magnetized configurations

Improvement of the retrieval algorithm for GOSAT SWIR XCO_2 and XCH_4 and their validation using TCCON data

The column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of carbon dioxide and methane (XCO_2 and XCH_4) have been retrieved from Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) Short-Wavelength InfraRed (SWIR) observations and released as a SWIR L2 product from the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES). XCO_2 and XCH_4 retrieved using the version 01.xx retrieval algorithm showed large negative biases and standard deviations (−8.85 and 4.75 ppm for XCO_2 and −20.4 and 18.9 ppb for XCH_4, respectively) compared with data of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). Multiple reasons for these error characteristics (e.g., solar irradiance database, handling of aerosol scattering) are identified and corrected in a revised version of the retrieval algorithm (version 02.xx). The improved retrieval algorithm shows much smaller biases and standard deviations (−1.48 and 2.09 ppm for XCO_2 and −5.9 and 12.6 ppb for XCH_4, respectively) than the version 01.xx. Also, the number of post-screened measurements is increased, especially at northern mid- and high-latitudinal areas

Prospect for relic neutrino searches

Unlike the relic photons, relic neutrinos have not so far been observed. The Cosmic Neutrino Background (C$\nu$B) is the oldest relic from the Big Bang, produced a few seconds after the Bang itself. Due to their impact in cosmology, relic neutrinos may be revealed indireclty in the near future through cosmological observations. In this talk we concentrate on other proposals, made in the last 30 years, to try to detect the C$\nu$B directly, either in laboratory searches (through tiny accelerations they produce on macroscopic targets) or through astrophysical observations (looking for absorption dips in the flux of Ultra-High Energy neutrinos, due to the annihilation of these neutrinos with relic neutrinos at the Z-resonance). We concentrate mainly on the first of these two possibilities.Comment: Talk given at the Nobel Symposium on Neutrino Physics, Enkoping, Sweden, Augus 19-24, 2004; 16 page

Magnetization Process of Kagome-Lattice Heisenberg Antiferromagnet

The magnetization process of the isotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagome lattice is studied. Data obtained from the numerical-diagonalization method are reexamined from the viewpoint of the derivative of the magnetization with respect to the magnetic field. We find that the behavior of the derivative at approximately one-third of the height of the magnetization saturation is markedly different from that for the cases of typical magnetization plateaux. The magnetization process of the kagome-lattice antiferromagnet reveals a new phenomenon, which we call the "magnetization ramp".Comment: 4 pages, 5figures, accepted in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn

Vesignieite BaCu3V2O8(OH)2 as a Candidate Spin-1/2 Kagome Antiferromagnet

A polycrystalline sample of vesignieite BaCu3V2O8(OH)2 comprising a nearly ideal kagome lattice composed of Cu2+ ions carrying spin 1/2 has been synthesized and studied by magnetization and heat capacity measurements. Magnetic susceptibility shows a neither long range order, a spin glass transition nor a spin gap down to 2 K, in spite of a moderately strong antiferromagnetic interaction of J/kB = 53 K between nearest-neighbor spins. A broad peak observed at a temperature corresponding to 0.4J in intrinsic magnetic susceptibility indicates a marked development of the short-range order. The ground state of vesignieite is probably a gapless spin liquid or is accompanied by a very small gap less than J/30.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure