9,619 research outputs found
Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking and Decoherence in Chaotic Dirac Billiards
In this work, we perform a statistical study on Dirac Billiards in the
extreme quantum limit (a single open channel on the leads). Our numerical
analysis uses a large ensemble of random matrices and demonstrates the
preponderant role of dephasing mechanisms in such chaotic billiards. Physical
implementations of these billiards range from quantum dots of graphene to
topological insulators structures. We show, in particular, that the role of
finite crossover fields between the universal symmetries quickly leaves the
conductance to the asymptotic limit of unitary ensembles. Furthermore, we show
that the dephasing mechanisms strikingly lead Dirac billiards from the extreme
quantum regime to the semiclassical Gaussian regime
SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates IX. KOI-415 b: a long-period, eccentric transiting brown dwarf to an evolved Sun
We report the discovery of a long-period brown-dwarf transiting companion of
the solar-type star KOI-415. The transits were detected by the Kepler space
telescope. We conducted Doppler measurements using the SOPHIE spectrograph at
the Observatoire de Haute-Provence. The photometric and spectroscopic signals
allow us to characterize a 62.14+-2.69 Mjup, brown-dwarf companion of an
evolved 0.94+-0.06 Msun star in a highly eccentric orbit of P =
166.78805+-0.00022 days and e = 0.698+-0.002. The radius of KOI-415 b is 0.79
(-0.07,+0.12) Rjup, a value that is compatible with theoretical predictions for
a 10 Gyr, low-metallicity and non-irradiated object.Comment: accepted in A&A Letter
SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates XIV. A joint photometric, spectroscopic, and dynamical analysis of the Kepler-117 system
As part of our follow-up campaign of Kepler planets, we observed Kepler-117
with the SOPHIE spectrograph at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence. This
F8-type star hosts two transiting planets in non-resonant orbits. The planets,
Kepler-117 b and c, have orbital periods and days,
and show transit-timing variations (TTVs) of several minutes. We performed a
combined Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) fit on transits, radial velocities,
and stellar parameters to constrain the characteristics of the system. We
included the fit of the TTVs in the MCMC by modeling them with dynamical
simulations. In this way, consistent posterior distributions were drawn for the
system parameters. According to our analysis, planets b and c have notably
different masses ( and M) and low
orbital eccentricities ( and ). The
uncertainties on the derived parameters are strongly reduced if the fit of the
TTVs is included in the combined MCMC. The TTVs allow measuring the mass of
planet b, although its radial velocity amplitude is poorly constrained.
Finally, we checked that the best solution is dynamically stable.Comment: 16 pages, of whom 5 of online material.12 figures, of whom 2 in the
online material. 7 tables, of whom 4 in the online material. Published in A&
Characterization of the four new transiting planets KOI-188b, KOI-195b, KOI-192b, and KOI-830b
The characterization of four new transiting extrasolar planets is presented
here. KOI-188b and KOI-195b are bloated hot Saturns, with orbital periods of
3.8 and 3.2 days, and masses of 0.25 and 0.34 M_Jup. They are located in the
low-mass range of known transiting, giant planets. KOI-192b has a similar mass
(0.29 M_Jup) but a longer orbital period of 10.3 days. This places it in a
domain where only a few planets are known. KOI-830b, finally, with a mass of
1.27 M_Jup and a period of 3.5 days, is a typical hot Jupiter. The four planets
have radii of 0.98, 1.09, 1.2, and 1.08 R_Jup, respectively. We detected no
significant eccentricity in any of the systems, while the accuracy of our data
does not rule out possible moderate eccentricities. The four objects were first
identified by the Kepler Team as promising candidates from the photometry of
the Kepler satellite. We establish here their planetary nature thanks to the
radial velocity follow-up we secured with the HARPS-N spectrograph at the
Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. The combined analyses of the datasets allow us to
fully characterize the four planetary systems. These new objects increase the
number of well-characterized exoplanets for statistics, and provide new targets
for individual follow-up studies. The pre-screening we performed with the
SOPHIE spectrograph at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence as part of that study
also allowed us to conclude that a fifth candidate, KOI-219.01, is not a planet
but is instead a false positive.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures, 6 tables, final version accepted for publication
in A&
SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates XI. Kepler-412 system: probing the properties of a new inflated hot Jupiter
We confirm the planetary nature of Kepler-412b, listed as planet candidate
KOI-202 in the Kepler catalog, thanks to our radial velocity follow-up program
of Kepler-released planet candidates, which is on going with the SOPHIE
spectrograph. We performed a complete analysis of the system by combining the
Kepler observations from Q1 to Q15, to ground-based spectroscopic observations
that allowed us to derive radial velocity measurements, together with the host
star parameters and properties. We also analyzed the light curve to derive the
star's rotation period and the phase function of the planet, including the
secondary eclipse. We found the planet has a mass of 0.939 0.085
M and a radius of 1.325 0.043 R which makes it a member
of the bloated giant subgroup. It orbits its G3 V host star in 1.72 days. The
system has an isochronal age of 5.1 Gyr, consistent with its moderate stellar
activity as observed in the Kepler light curve and the rotation of the star of
17.2 1.6 days. From the detected secondary, we derived the day side
temperature as a function of the geometric albedo and estimated the geometrical
albedo, Ag, is in the range 0.094 to 0.013. The measured night side flux
corresponds to a night side brightness temperature of 2154 83 K, much
greater than what is expected for a planet with homogeneous heat
redistribution. From the comparison to star and planet evolution models, we
found that dissipation should operate in the deep interior of the planet. This
modeling also shows that despite its inflated radius, the planet presents a
noticeable amount of heavy elements, which accounts for a mass fraction of 0.11
0.04.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure
Radon Exposure and Neurodegenerative Disease
Background: To carry out a systematic review of scientific literature about the association between radon exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: We performed a bibliographic search in the following databases: Pub med (Medline), Cochrane, BioMed Central and Web of Science. We collected the data by following a predetermined search strategy in which several terms werecombined. After an initial search, 77 articles were obtained.10 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five of these 10 studies were related to multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 were about motor neuron diseases (MND), in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 3 were related to both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Results: The majority of the included articles, suggested a possible association between radon exposure and a subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the studies that obtained statistically significant resultsrevealed a possible association between radon exposure and an increase in MS prevalence. Furthermore, it was also suggested that radon exposure increases MND and AD mortality. Regarding AD and PD, it was observed that certainde cay products of radon-222 ((222)Rn), specifically polonium-210 ((210)Po) and bismuth-210 ((210)Bi), present a characteristic distributionpattern within the brain anatomy. However, the study with the highest scientific evidence included in this review, which investigated a possible association between the concentration of residential radon gas and the MS incidence, revealed no significant results. Conclusions: It cannot be concluded, although it is observed, that there is a possible causal association between radon exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the available studies are ecological so, studies of higher statistical evidence are needed to establish a causal relationship. Further research is needed on this topic
Constraining planet structure and composition from stellar chemistry: trends in different stellar populations
The chemical composition of stars that have orbiting planets provides
important clues about the frequency, architecture, and composition of exoplanet
systems. We explore the possibility that stars from different galactic
populations that have different intrinsic abundance ratios may produce planets
with a different overall composition. We compiled abundances for Fe, O, C, Mg,
and Si in a large sample of solar neighbourhood stars that belong to different
galactic populations. We then used a simple stoichiometric model to predict the
expected iron-to-silicate mass fraction and water mass fraction of the planet
building blocks, as well as the summed mass percentage of all heavy elements in
the disc. Assuming that overall the chemical composition of the planet building
blocks will be reflected in the composition of the formed planets, we show that
according to our model, discs around stars from different galactic populations,
as well as around stars from different regions in the Galaxy, are expected to
form rocky planets with significantly different iron-to-silicate mass
fractions. The available water mass fraction also changes significantly from
one galactic population to another. The results may be used to set constraints
for models of planet formation and chemical composition. Furthermore, the
results may have impact on our understanding of the frequency of planets in the
Galaxy, as well as on the existence of conditions for habitability.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic
SOPHIE velocimetry of Kepler transit candidates. XV. KOI-614b, KOI-206b, and KOI-680b: a massive warm Jupiter orbiting a G0 metallic dwarf and two highly inflated planets with a distant companion around evolved F-type stars
We report the validation and characterization of three new transiting
exoplanets using SOPHIE radial velocities: KOI-614b, KOI-206b, and KOI-680b.
KOI-614b has a mass of and a radius of
, and it orbits a G0, metallic
([Fe/H]=) dwarf in 12.9 days. Its mass and radius are familiar and
compatible with standard planetary evolution models, so it is one of the few
known transiting planets in this mass range to have an orbital period over ten
days. With an equilibrium temperature of K, this places
KOI-614b at the transition between what is usually referred to as "hot" and
"warm" Jupiters. KOI-206b has a mass of and a
radius of , and it orbits a slightly evolved F7-type
star in a 5.3-day orbit. It is a massive inflated hot Jupiter that is
particularly challenging for planetary models because it requires unusually
large amounts of additional dissipated energy in the planet. On the other hand,
KOI-680b has a much lower mass of and requires less
extra-dissipation to explain its uncommonly large radius of . It is one of the biggest transiting planets characterized so far,
and it orbits a subgiant F9-star well on its way to the red giant stage, with
an orbital period of 8.6 days. With host stars of masses of
and , respectively, KOI-206b,
and KOI-680b are interesting objects for theories of formation and survival of
short-period planets around stars more massive than the Sun. For those two
targets, we also find signs of a possible distant additional companion in the
system
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