2,394 research outputs found
BVR photometry of the resolved dwarf galaxy Ho IX
We present BVR CCD photometry down to limiting magnitude B=23.5 mag for 232
starlike objects and 11 diffuse objects in a 5.4' x 5.4' field of Ho IX. The
galaxy is a gas-rich irregular dwarf galaxy possibly very close to M 81, which
makes it especially interesting in the context of the evolution of satellite
galaxies and the accretion of dwarf galaxies. Investigations of Ho IX were
hampered by relatively large contradictions in the magnitude scale between
earlier studies. With our new photometry we resolved these discrepancies. The
color magnitude diagram (CMD) of Ho IX is fairly typical of a star-forming
dwarf irregular, consistent with earlier results. Distance estimates from our
new CMD are consistent with Ho IX being very close to M 81 and therefore being
a definite member of the M 81 group, apparently in very close physical
proximity to M 81.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, uses aa.cls, A&A in pres
A Unified Conformal Field Theory Description of Paired Quantum Hall States
The wave functions of the Haldane-Rezayi paired Hall state have been
previously described by a non-unitary conformal field theory with central
charge c=-2. Moreover, a relation with the c=1 unitary Weyl fermion has been
suggested. We construct the complete unitary theory and show that it
consistently describes the edge excitations of the Haldane-Rezayi state.
Actually, we show that the unitary (c=1) and non-unitary (c=-2) theories are
related by a local map between the two sets of fields and by a suitable change
of conjugation. The unitary theory of the Haldane-Rezayi state is found to be
the same as that of the 331 paired Hall state. Furthermore, the analysis of
modular invariant partition functions shows that no alternative unitary
descriptions are possible for the Haldane-Rezayi state within the class of
rational conformal field theories with abelian current algebra. Finally, the
known c=3/2 conformal theory of the Pfaffian state is also obtained from the
331 theory by a reduction of degrees of freedom which can be physically
realized in the double-layer Hall systems.Comment: Latex, 42 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables; minor corrections to text and
reference
Spatial stochastic predator-prey models
We consider a broad class of stochastic lattice predator-prey models, whose
main features are overviewed. In particular, this article aims at drawing a
picture of the influence of spatial fluctuations, which are not accounted for
by the deterministic rate equations, on the properties of the stochastic
models. Here, we outline the robust scenario obeyed by most of the lattice
predator-prey models with an interaction "a' la Lotka-Volterra". We also show
how a drastically different behavior can emerge as the result of a subtle
interplay between long-range interactions and a nearest-neighbor exchange
process.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures. Proceedings paper of the workshop "Stochastic
models in biological sciences" (May 29 - June 2, 2006 in Warsaw) for the
Banach Center Publication
Renormalization-group Studies of Three Model Systems Far from Equilibrium
This thesis describes the development of analytical and computational techniques for systems far from equilibrium and their application to three model systems. Each of the model systems reaches a non-equilibrium steady state and exhibits one or more phase transitions. We first introduce a new position-space renormalization-group approach and illustrate its application using the one-dimensional fully asymmetric exclusion process. We have constructed a recursion relation for the relevant dynamic parameters for this model and have reproduced all of the important critical features of the model, including the exact positions of the critical point and the first and second order phase boundaries. The method yields an approximate value for the critical exponent v which is very close to the known value. The second major part of this thesis combines information theoretic techniques for calculating the entropy and a Monte Carlo renormalization-group approach. We have used this method to study and compare infinitely driven lattice gases. This approach enables us to calculate the critical exponents associated with the correlation length v and the order parameter /3. These results are compared to the values predicted from different field theoretic treatments of the models. In the final set of calculations, we build position-space renormalization-group recursion relations from the master equations of small clusters. By obtaining the probability distributions for these clusters numerically, we develop a mapping connecting the parameters specifying the dynamics on different length scales. The resulting flow topology in some ways mimics equilibrium features, with sinks for each phase and fixed points associated with each phase boundary. In addition, though, there are added complexities in the flows, suggesting multiple regions within the ordered phase for some values of parameters, and the presence of an extra source fixed point within the ordered phase. Thus, this study illustrates the successful applicability of position-space renormalization- group and information theoretic approaches to driven lattice gases in one and two dimensions. These methods provide new insights into the critical properties and ordering in these systems, and set the stage for further development of these approaches and their application to additional, more realistic models
An Investigation of the Large-scale Variability of the Apparently Single Wolf-Rayet Star WR 1
In recent years, much studies have focused on determining the origin of the
large-scale line-profile and/or photometric patterns of variability displayed
by some apparently single Wolf-Rayet stars, with the existence of an unseen
(collapsed?) companion or of spatially extended wind structures as potential
candidates. We present observations of WR 1 which highlight the unusual
character of the variations in this object. Our narrowband photometric
observations reveal a gradual increase of the stellar continuum flux amounting
to Delta v = 0.09 mag followed by a decline on about the same timescale (3-4
days). Only marginal evidence for variability is found during the 11 following
nights.
Strong, daily line-profile variations are also observed but they cannot be
easily linked to the photometric variations.
Similarly to the continuum flux variations, coherent time-dependent changes
are observed in 1996 in the centroid, equivalent width, and skewness of He II
4686. Despite the generally coherent nature of the variations, we do not find
evidence in our data for the periods claimed in previous studies. While the
issue of a cyclical pattern of variability in WR 1 is still controversial, it
is clear that this object might constitute in the future a cornerstone for our
understanding of the mechanisms leading to the formation of largely anisotropic
outflows in Wolf-Rayet stars.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
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The Use of a Solid Hydrocarbon as a Graphite Substitute for Astaloy CrM Sintered Steel
YesAbstract
Höganäs Astaloy CrM powder was used to prepare mixtures with 0.3-1.6 % carbon contents, both with and without 1 wt.% manganese additions. The carbon was added in three ways: as a graphite powder, as a solid CnHm hydrocarbon powder, and as a mixture of both. Green compacts were pressed at 300 - 800 MPa and sintered isothermally at temperatures in the range 1170 - 1295°C under flowing high purity nitrogen or nitrogen/hydrogen (9:1) atmosphere. Compressibility of the powder mixtures was investigated. Carbon loss occurring during sintering was carefully monitored. Sintering behaviour of numerous combinations of carbon content was investigated by dilatometry. For high carbon contents and high sintering temperatures, densification resulted from controlled generation of a liquid phase. Advantages of using solid hydrocarbon as a carbon donor and of Mn addition in powder metallurgy processing of steels are indicated
Laboratory-Based BRDF Calibration of Radiometric Tarps
The current study provides the remote sensing community with important high accuracy laboratory-based BRDF calibration of radiometric tarps. The results illustrate the dependence of tarps' weft and warp threads orientation on BRDF. The study was done at incident angles of 0deg, 10deg, and 30deg; scatter zenith angles from 0deg to 60deg, and scatter azimuth angles of 0deg, 45deg, 90deg, 135deg, and 180deg. The wavelengths were 485nm, 550nm, 633nm and 800nm. The dependence is well defined at all measurement geometries and wavelengths. It can be as high as 8% at 0deg incident angle and 2% at 30deg incident angle. The fitted BRDF data show a very small discrepancy from the measured ones. New data on the forward and backscatter properties of radiometric tarps is reported. The backward scatter is well pronounced for the white samples. The black sample has well pronounced forward scatter. The BRDF characterization of radiometric tarps can be successfully extended to other structured surface fabric samples. The results are NIST traceable
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