1,006 research outputs found
Nontopological self-dual Maxwell-Higgs vortices
We study the existence of self-dual nontopological vortices in generalized
Maxwell-Higgs models recently introduced in Ref. \cite{gv}. Our investigation
is explicitly illustrated by choosing a sixth-order self-interaction potential,
which is the simplest one allowing the existence of nontopological structures.
We specify some Maxwell-Higgs models yielding BPS nontopological vortices
having energy proportional to the magnetic flux, , and whose profiles
are numerically achieved. Particularly, we investigate the way the new
solutions approach the boundary values, from which we verify their
nontopological behavior. Finally, we depict the profiles numerically found,
highlighting the main features they present.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Deformed self-dual magnetic monopoles
We develop a deformation method for attaining new magnetic monopole
analytical solutions consistent with generalized Yang-Mills-Higgs model
introduced recently. The new solutions fulfill the usual radially symmetric
ansatz and the boundary conditions suitable to assure finite energy
configurations. We verify our prescription by studying some particular cases
involving both exactly and partially analytical initial configurations whose
deformation leads to new analytic BPS monopoles. The results show consistency
among the models, the deformation procedure and the profile of the new
solutions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
"Colliding beam" enhancement mechanism of deuteron-deuteron fusion reactions in matter
We suggest a ``ping-pong'' mechanism of enhancement for fusion reactions
between a low energy external deuteron beam and the deuterons in a condensed
matter or molecular target. The mechanism is based on the possibility of
acceleration of a target deuteron by the Coulomb field of a projectile deuteron
with its subsequent rebound from a heavy atom in matter and the following
fusion of the two deuterons moving towards each other. This effectively
converts the fixed target process into a colliding beam reaction. In a simple
limiting case this reduces the negative penetrability exponent by a factor of
. We also discuss a contribution given by ``zero oscillations'' of a
bound target deuteron. The proposed mechanism is expected to be efficient in
compounds with target deuterons localized in the vicinity of heavy atoms.Comment: 4 page
Infrared Observations of the Helix Planetary Nebula
We have mapped the Helix (NGC 7293) planetary nebula (PN) with the IRAC instrument on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The Helix is one of the closest bright PNs and therefore provides an opportunity to resolve the small-scale structure in the nebula. The emission from this PN in the 5.8 and 8 μm IRAC bands is dominated by the pure rotational lines of molecular hydrogen, with a smaller contribution from forbidden line emission such as [Ar III] in the ionized region. The IRAC images resolve the "cometary knots," which have been previously studied in this PN. The "tails" of the knots and the radial rays extending into the outer regions of the PN are seen in emission in the IRAC bands. IRS spectra on the main ring and the emission in the IRAC bands are consistent with shock-excited H_2 models, with a small (~10%) component from photodissociation regions. In the northeast arc, the H_2 emission is located in a shell outside the Hα emission
Constraining the Physical Properties of Near-Earth Object 2009 BD
We report on Spitzer Space Telescope IRAC observations of near-Earth object
(NEO) 2009 BD that were carried out in support of the NASA Asteroid Robotic
Retrieval Mission (ARRM) concept. We did not detect 2009 BD in 25 hrs of
integration at 4.5 micron. Based on an upper-limit flux density determination
from our data, we present a probabilistic derivation of the physical properties
of this object. The analysis is based on the combination of a thermophysical
model with an orbital model accounting for the non-gravitational forces acting
upon the body. We find two physically possible solutions. The first solution
shows 2009 BD as a 2.9+/-0.3 m diameter rocky body (rho = 2.9+/-0.5 g cm-3)
with an extremely high albedo of 0.85(+0.20/-0.10) that is covered with
regolith-like material, causing it to exhibit a low thermal inertia (Gamma =
30(+20/-10) SI units). The second solution suggests 2009 BD to be a 4+/-1 m
diameter asteroid with pV = 0.45(+0.35/-0.15) that consists of a collection of
individual bare rock slabs (Gamma = 2000+/-1000 SI units, rho = 1.7(+0.7/-0.4)
g cm-3). We are unable to rule out either solution based on physical reasoning.
2009 BD is the smallest asteroid for which physical properties have been
constrained, in this case using an indirect method and based on a detection
limit, providing unique information on the physical properties of objects in
the size range smaller than 10 m.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
The Infrared Array Camera Dark Field: Far-Infrared to X-ray Data
We present 20 band photometry from the far-IR to X-ray in the Spitzer Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) dark field. The bias for the near-IR camera on Spitzer is calibrated by observing a ~20' diameter "dark" field near the north ecliptic pole roughly every two-to-three weeks throughout the mission duration of Spitzer. The field is unique for its extreme depth, low background, high quality imaging, time-series information, and accompanying photometry including data taken with Akari, Palomar, MMT, KPNO, Hubble, and Chandra. This serendipitous survey contains the deepest mid-IR data taken to date. This data set is well suited for studies of intermediate-redshift galaxy clusters, high-redshift galaxies, the first generation of stars, and the lowest mass brown dwarfs, among others. This paper provides a summary of the data characteristics and catalog generation from all bands collected to date as well as a discussion of photometric redshifts and initial and expected science results and goals. To illustrate the scientific potential of this unique data set, we also present here IRAC color-color diagrams
Thermal Phase Variations of WASP-12b: Defying Predictions
[Abridged] We report Warm Spitzer full-orbit phase observations of WASP-12b
at 3.6 and 4.5 micron. We are able to measure the transit depths, eclipse
depths, thermal and ellipsoidal phase variations at both wavelengths. The large
amplitude phase variations, combined with the planet's previously-measured
day-side spectral energy distribution, is indicative of non-zero Bond albedo
and very poor day-night heat redistribution. The transit depths in the
mid-infrared indicate that the atmospheric opacity is greater at 3.6 than at
4.5 micron, in disagreement with model predictions, irrespective of C/O ratio.
The secondary eclipse depths are consistent with previous studies. We do not
detect ellipsoidal variations at 3.6 micron, but our parameter uncertainties
-estimated via prayer-bead Monte Carlo- keep this non-detection consistent with
model predictions. At 4.5 micron, on the other hand, we detect ellipsoidal
variations that are much stronger than predicted. If interpreted as a geometric
effect due to the planet's elongated shape, these variations imply a 3:2 ratio
for the planet's longest:shortest axes and a relatively bright day-night
terminator. If we instead presume that the 4.5 micron ellipsoidal variations
are due to uncorrected systematic noise and we fix the amplitude of the
variations to zero, the best fit 4.5 micron transit depth becomes commensurate
with the 3.6 micron depth, within the uncertainties. The relative transit
depths are then consistent with a Solar composition and short scale height at
the terminator. Assuming zero ellipsoidal variations also yields a much deeper
4.5 micron eclipse depth, consistent with a Solar composition and modest
temperature inversion. We suggest future observations that could distinguish
between these two scenarios.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures, ApJ in press. Improved discussion of gravity
brightenin
Physical Properties of Near-Earth Asteroid 2011 MD
We report on observations of near-Earth asteroid 2011 MD with the Spitzer
Space Telescope. We have spent 19.9 h of observing time with channel 2 (4.5
{\mu}m) of the Infrared Array Camera and detected the target within the
2{\sigma} positional uncertainty ellipse. Using an asteroid thermophysical
model and a model of nongravitational forces acting upon the object we
constrain the physical properties of 2011 MD, based on the measured flux
density and available astrometry data. We estimate 2011 MD to be 6 (+4/-2) m in
diameter with a geometric albedo of 0.3 (+0.4/-0.2) (uncertainties are
1{\sigma}). We find the asteroid's most probable bulk density to be 1.1
(+0.7/-0.5) g cm^{-3}, which implies a total mass of (50-350) t and a
macroporosity of >=65%, assuming a material bulk density typical of
non-primitive meteorite materials. A high degree of macroporosity suggests 2011
MD to be a rubble-pile asteroid, the rotation of which is more likely to be
retrograde than prograde.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure
Generalized self-dual Maxwell-Chern-Simons-Higgs model
We present a consistent BPS framework for a generalized
Maxwell-Chern-Simons-Higgs model. The overall model, including its self-dual
potential, depends on three different functions, h(|{\phi}|,N), w(|{\phi}|) and
G(|{\phi}|), which are functions of the scalar fields only. The BPS energy is
proportional to the magnetic flux when w(|{\phi}|) and G(|{\phi}|) are related
to each other by a differential constraint. We present an explicit non-standard
model and its topologically non-trivial static configurations, which are
described by the usual radially symmetric profile. Finally, we note that the
non-standard results behave in a similar way as their standard counterparts, as
expected, reinforcing the consistence of the overall construction.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
ExploreNEOs VIII: Dormant Short-Period Comets in the Near-Earth Asteroid Population
We perform a search for dormant comets, asteroidal objects of cometary
origin, in the near-Earth asteroid (NEA) population based on dynamical and
physical considerations. Our study is based on albedos derived within the
ExploreNEOs program and is extended by adding data from NEOWISE and the Akari
asteroid catalog. We use a statistical approach to identify asteroids on orbits
that resemble those of short-period near-Earth comets using the Tisserand
parameter with respect to Jupiter, the aphelion distance, and the minimum
orbital intersection distance with respect to Jupiter. From the sample of NEAs
on comet-like orbits, we select those with a geometric albedo
as dormant comet candidates, and find that only 50% of NEAs on comet-like
orbits also have comet-like albedos. We identify a total of 23 NEAs from our
sample that are likely to be dormant short-period near-Earth comets and, based
on a de-biasing procedure applied to the cryogenic NEOWISE survey, estimate
both magnitude-limited and size-limited fractions of the NEA population that
are dormant short-period comets. We find that 0.3-3.3% of the NEA population
with , and % of the population with diameters km, are dormant short-period near-Earth comets.Comment: 23 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables; accepted for publication in A
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