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2003

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Articles 31 - 60 of 135

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Search For Pure Disk Galaxies, Stefan Kautsch, Eva K. Grebel Aug 2003

A Search For Pure Disk Galaxies, Stefan Kautsch, Eva K. Grebel

Chemistry and Physics Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches, Lectures

Flat (or superthin) galaxies are late-type edge-on spiral galaxies that exhibit large axial ratios, small stellar disk scale heights and no distinct spheroidal bulge component. This type of galaxies appears to be a pure disk system with an extended blue stellar disk embedded in a red thick layer. Flat galaxies are very common objects with low star formation rates, low metallicities, low optical surface brightness but high neutral gas fractions. Their rotation curves resemble those of dwarf and irregular galaxies. These simple disk systems offer the unique opportunity to constrain galaxy disk evolution in underevolved galaxies in the nearby Universe. …


X-Ray Emission-Line Profile Modeling Of O Stars: Fitting A Spherically Symmetric Analytic Wind-Shock Model To The Chandra Spectrum Of Zeta Puppis, Roban Hultman Kramer , '03, David H. Cohen, S. P. Owocki Jul 2003

X-Ray Emission-Line Profile Modeling Of O Stars: Fitting A Spherically Symmetric Analytic Wind-Shock Model To The Chandra Spectrum Of Zeta Puppis, Roban Hultman Kramer , '03, David H. Cohen, S. P. Owocki

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

X-ray emission-line profiles provide the most direct insight into the dynamics and spatial distribution of the hot, X-ray-emitting plasma above the surfaces of OB stars. The O supergiant zeta Puppis shows broad, blueshifted, and asymmetric line profiles, generally consistent with the wind-shock picture of OB star X-ray production. We model the profiles of eight lines in the Chandra HETGS spectrum of this prototypical hot star. The fitted lines indicate that the plasma is distributed throughout the wind starting close to the photosphere, that there is significantly less attenuation of the X-rays by the overlying wind than is generally supposed, and …


Astrophysical Plasma Diagnostics Through Analysis Of Ar Iine Shape Characteristics, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Stevan Djenize Jul 2003

Astrophysical Plasma Diagnostics Through Analysis Of Ar Iine Shape Characteristics, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Stevan Djenize

Articles

On the basis of five accurately recorded neutral argon ( ) line shapes (in the 4s-5p transition) we have recovered the basic plasma parameters i.e. electron temperature ( T) and electron density ( N) using our new line deconvolution procedure in the case of three different plasmas created in a linear, low-pressure, pulsed arc discharge. The mentioned plasma parameters have also been measured using independent experimental diagnostic techniques. An excellent agreement has been found among the two sets of obtained parameters. This recommends our deconvolution procedure for plasma diagnostic purposes, especially in astrophysics where direct measurements of the …


Early Quintessence In Light Of Thewilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, Robert R. Caldwell, Michael Doran, Christian M. Mller, Gregor Schfer, Christof Wetterich Jul 2003

Early Quintessence In Light Of Thewilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, Robert R. Caldwell, Michael Doran, Christian M. Mller, Gregor Schfer, Christof Wetterich

Dartmouth Scholarship

We examine the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy for signatures of early quintessence dark energy—a nonnegligible quintessence energy density during the recombination and structure formation eras. Only very recently does the quintessence overtake the dark matter and push the expansion into overdrive. Because the presence of early quintessence exerts an influence on the clustering of dark matter and the baryon-photon fluid, we may expect to find trace signals in the CMB and the mass fluctuation power spectrum. In detail, we demonstrate that suppressed clustering power on small length scales, as suggested by the combined Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe/CMB/large-scale structure …


Rotational Velocities Of B, A, And Early‐F Narrow‐Lined Stars, Francis C. Fekel Jul 2003

Rotational Velocities Of B, A, And Early‐F Narrow‐Lined Stars, Francis C. Fekel

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Projected rotational velocities for 58 B, A, and early‐F stars have been determined from high‐resolution spectroscopic observations made at Kitt Peak National Observatory with the coudé feed telescope. All the stars are slowly rotating with vsin i<60 km s−1. Because of their low rotational velocities, 15 of the stars have been observed as prospective, early‐type, radial velocity standards.


Pks 0736+017: A Striking Optical Flare And Intriguing Microvariability, Sandra D. Clements, A Jenks, Y Torres Jul 2003

Pks 0736+017: A Striking Optical Flare And Intriguing Microvariability, Sandra D. Clements, A Jenks, Y Torres

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The compact, flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 0736+017 was monitored for microvariability on 10 nights in early 2002 using the 0.9 m SARA telescope on Kitt Peak in Arizona. On January 14, PKS 0736+017 flared dramatically, brightening by 1.3 R mag in 2 hours. Prior to the flare, PKS 0736+017 exhibited quasi-periodic variations. During and after the flare, more complex oscillations occurred. Impressive variability was displayed on two additional nights in January, while observations during the following 3 months found PKS 0736+017 to be fairly quiescent. PKS 0736+017 was somewhat redder while brighter and fading than when dimmer but flaring. During …


Observation Of And Model For Nonlinear Mode Conversion In A Non-Neutral Plasma, Grant W. Hart, Bryan G. Peterson, Ross L. Spencer Jul 2003

Observation Of And Model For Nonlinear Mode Conversion In A Non-Neutral Plasma, Grant W. Hart, Bryan G. Peterson, Ross L. Spencer

Faculty Publications

The nonlinear interaction of the two lowest Trivelpiece-Gould modes in a non-neutral plasma has been observed. Because of coupling in the nonlinear terms of the continuity and momentum equations, the two modes can exchange energy and convert one to the other. This can be modeled using the cold fluid equations and the averaging method. Experimentally, this process always stops with the lower frequency mode dominating the final state. Numerical integration of the model suggests that this occurs because the higher frequency mode is more strongly damped than the lower frequency mode.


Multisite Observations Of The Pms Δ Delta Scuti Star V351 Ori, V. Ripepi, Terry D. Oswalt, M. Marconi, S. Bernabei, Et Al. Jun 2003

Multisite Observations Of The Pms Δ Delta Scuti Star V351 Ori, V. Ripepi, Terry D. Oswalt, M. Marconi, S. Bernabei, Et Al.

Publications

We present the results of multisite observations spanning two years on the pre–main-sequence (PMS) star V351 Ori. A total of around 180 hours of observations over 29 nights have been collected, allowing us to measure five different periodicities, most likely related to the Scuti variability of V351 Ori. Comparison with the predictions of linear nonadiabatic radial pulsation models put stringent constraints on the stellar parameters and indicate that the distance to V351 Ori is intermediate between the lower limit measured by Hipparcos (210 pc) and that of the Orion Nebula (450 pc). However, radial pulsation models are unable to reproduce …


The Flaring H2o Megamaser And Compact Radio Source In Markarian 348, A. B. Peck, C. Henkel, J. S. Ulvestad, A. Brunthaler, H. Falcke, Moshe Elitzur, K. M. Menten, J. F. Gallimore Jun 2003

The Flaring H2o Megamaser And Compact Radio Source In Markarian 348, A. B. Peck, C. Henkel, J. S. Ulvestad, A. Brunthaler, H. Falcke, Moshe Elitzur, K. M. Menten, J. F. Gallimore

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on single-dish monitoring and extremely high angular resolution observations of the flaring H2O megamaser in the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 348. The H2O line is redshifted by ~130 km s-1 with respect to the systemic velocity, is very broad, with an FWHM of 130 km s-1, and has no detectable high-velocity components within 1500 km s-1 on either side of the strong line. Monitoring observations made with the Effelsberg 100 m telescope show that the maser varies significantly on timescales as short as 1 day and that the integrated line …


Nonlinear Collisionless Perpendicular Diffusion Of Charged Particles, William H. Matthaeus, Gang Qin, John William Bieber, Gary Paul Zank Jun 2003

Nonlinear Collisionless Perpendicular Diffusion Of Charged Particles, William H. Matthaeus, Gang Qin, John William Bieber, Gary Paul Zank

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

A nonlinear theory of the perpendicular diffusion of charged particles is presented, including the influence of parallel scattering and dynamical turbulence. The theory shows encouraging agreement with numerical simulations.


Grb 021004: A Possible Shell Nebula Around A Wolf‐Rayet Star Gamma‐Ray Burst Progenitor, N. Mirabal, J. P. Halpern, Ryan Chornock, Alexei V. Filippenko, D. M. Terndrup, E. Armstrong, J. Kemp, J. R. Thorstensen, M. Tavarez, C. Espaillat Jun 2003

Grb 021004: A Possible Shell Nebula Around A Wolf‐Rayet Star Gamma‐Ray Burst Progenitor, N. Mirabal, J. P. Halpern, Ryan Chornock, Alexei V. Filippenko, D. M. Terndrup, E. Armstrong, J. Kemp, J. R. Thorstensen, M. Tavarez, C. Espaillat

Dartmouth Scholarship

The rapid localization of GRB 021004 by the HETE-2 satellite allowed nearly continuous monitoring of its early optical afterglow decay, as well as high-quality optical spectra that determined a redshift of z3 = 2.328 for its host galaxy, an active starburst galaxy with strong Ly emission and several absorption lines. Spectral observations show multiple absorbers at z3A = 2.323, z3B= 2.317, and z3C = 2.293 blueshifted by ~450, ~990, and ~3155 km s-1, respectively, relative to the host galaxy Lyα emission. We argue that these correspond to a fragmented shell nebula that has …


Optical Photometry And X-Ray Monitoring Of The "Cool Algol" Bd+05˚706: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Guillermo Torres, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, Alaine S. Duffy Jun 2003

Optical Photometry And X-Ray Monitoring Of The "Cool Algol" Bd+05˚706: Determination Of The Physical Properties, Guillermo Torres, Jeff A. Mader, Laurence A. Marschall, Ralph Neuhauser, Alaine S. Duffy

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present new photometric observations in the BVRI bands of the double-lined eclipsing binary BD +05706 conducted over three observing seasons, as well as new X-ray observations obtained with ROSAT covering a full orbital cycle (P = 18.9 days). A detailed light-curve analysis of the optical data shows the system to be semidetached, confirming indications from an earlier analysis by Torres et al. (published in 1998), with the less massive and cooler star filling its Roche lobe. The system is a member of the rare class of cool Algol systems, which are different from the ‘‘ classical ’’ Algol systems …


Black Hole Attractor Varieties And Complex Multiplication, Monika Lynker, Vipul Periwal, Rolf Schimmrigk Jun 2003

Black Hole Attractor Varieties And Complex Multiplication, Monika Lynker, Vipul Periwal, Rolf Schimmrigk

Faculty and Research Publications

Black holes in string theory compactified on Calabi-Yau varieties a priori might be expected to have moduli dependent features. For example the entropy of the black hole might be expected to depend on the complex structure of the manifold. This would be inconsistent with known properties of black holes. Supersymmetric black holes appear to evade this inconsistency by having moduli fields that flow to fixed points in the moduli space that depend only on the charges of the black hole. Moore observed in the case of compactifications with elliptic curve factors that these fixed points are arithmetic, corresponding to curves …


Fluorescence In Ultraviolet Active Binaries: The Case Of Ff Aquarii, Todd R. Vaccaro, R. E. Wilson Jun 2003

Fluorescence In Ultraviolet Active Binaries: The Case Of Ff Aquarii, Todd R. Vaccaro, R. E. Wilson

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The eclipsing binary FF Aquarii (FF Aqr) consists of a small hot star of uncertain type and a red giant. An Hα feature varies from absorption during eclipse to maximum emission during hot star transit. We have obtained simultaneous differential photometry in BVRI bands and Hα spectroscopy in 1998 that covered an entire orbit with some overlap. A binary star model was used with our light-curve, radial velocity and Hα data to refine stellar and orbital parameters. A new ephemeris indicates that the period has increased or is longer than previously thought. A physically simple algorithm is developed that generates …


Morphological Biosignatures And The Search For Life On Mars, Sherry L. Cady, Jack D. Farmer, John P. Grotzinger, J. William Schopf, Andrew Steele Jun 2003

Morphological Biosignatures And The Search For Life On Mars, Sherry L. Cady, Jack D. Farmer, John P. Grotzinger, J. William Schopf, Andrew Steele

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report provides a rationale for the advances in instrumentation and understanding needed to assess claims of ancient and extraterrestrial life made on the basis of morphological biosignatures. Morphological biosignatures consist of bona fide microbial fossils as well as microbially influenced sedimentary structures. To be recognized as evidence of life, microbial fossils must contain chemical and structural attributes uniquely indicative of microbial cells or cellular or extracellular processes. When combined with various research strategies, high-resolution instruments can reveal such attributes and elucidate how morphological fossils form and become altered, thereby improving the ability to recognize them in the geological record …


Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy Of Coma Cluster Early-Type Galaxies - Iii. The Stellar Population Gradients, D. Mehlert, D. Thomas, R. P. Saglia, R. Bender, G Wegner May 2003

Spatially Resolved Spectroscopy Of Coma Cluster Early-Type Galaxies - Iii. The Stellar Population Gradients, D. Mehlert, D. Thomas, R. P. Saglia, R. Bender, G Wegner

Dartmouth Scholarship

Based on Paper I of this series (Mehlert et al. 2000), we derive central values and logarithmic gradients for the Hβ, Mg and Fe indices of 35 early-type galaxies in the Coma cluster. We find that pure elliptical galaxies have on average slightly higher velocity dispersions, lower Hβ, and higher metallic line-strengths than galaxies with disks (S0). The latter form two families, one comparable to the ellipticals and a second one with significantly higher Hβ, and weaker metallic lines. Our measured logarithmic gradients within the effective radius are ⟨△Mg b⟩ ≈ −0.037, ⟨△⟨Fe⟩⟩ ≈ −0.029, ⟨△Hβ⟩ ≈ +0.017 and ⟨△σ⟩ …


Effects Of The Sound Speed Of Quintessence On The Microwave Background And Large Scale Structure, Simon Dedeo, R. R. Caldwell, Paul J. Steinhardt May 2003

Effects Of The Sound Speed Of Quintessence On The Microwave Background And Large Scale Structure, Simon Dedeo, R. R. Caldwell, Paul J. Steinhardt

Dartmouth Scholarship

We consider how quintessence models in which the sound speed differs from the speed of light and varies with time affect the cosmic microwave background and the fluctuation power spectrum. Significant modifications occur on length scales related to the Hubble radius during epochs in which the sound speed is near zero and the quintessence contributes a non-negligible fraction of the total energy density. For the microwave background, we find that the usual enhancement of the lowest multipole moments by the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect can be modified, resulting in suppression or bumps instead. Also, the sound speed can produce oscillations and …


Evidence For A Suprathermal Seed Population Of Heavy Ions Accelerated By Interplanetary Shocks Near 1 Au, Mihir I. Desai, Glenn M. Mason, Joseph R. Dwyer, Joseph E. Mazur, Robert E. Gold, Stamatios M. Krimigis, Charles W. Smith, Ruth M. Skoug May 2003

Evidence For A Suprathermal Seed Population Of Heavy Ions Accelerated By Interplanetary Shocks Near 1 Au, Mihir I. Desai, Glenn M. Mason, Joseph R. Dwyer, Joseph E. Mazur, Robert E. Gold, Stamatios M. Krimigis, Charles W. Smith, Ruth M. Skoug

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We have surveyed the 0.1-10 MeV nucleonˉ¹ elemental abundances at 72 interplanetary (IP) shocks observed by the Ultra-Low-Energy Isotope Spectrometer on board the Advanced Composition Explorer from 1997 October through 2002 September. We find the following: (1) The C/O ratios in IP shocks were substantially depleted (by more than ∼40%) relative to solar wind values. (2) The IP shock abundances were poorly correlated with those measured in the slow and fast solar wind. (3) Energetic ions above ∼0.1 MeV nucleonˉ¹ from impulsive and gradual solar energetic particle events (SEPs) were present upstream of all the IP shocks in our survey. …


Spectroscopy Of Kiss Emission-Line Galaxy Candidates. I. Mdm Observations, Gary Wegner, John J. Salzer, Anna Jangren, Caryl Gronwall, Jason Melbourne May 2003

Spectroscopy Of Kiss Emission-Line Galaxy Candidates. I. Mdm Observations, Gary Wegner, John J. Salzer, Anna Jangren, Caryl Gronwall, Jason Melbourne

Dartmouth Scholarship

Spectroscopic observations for 351 emission-line galaxy candidates from the KPNO International Spectroscopic Survey (KISS) have been obtained using the MDM Observatory 2.4 m telescope on Kitt Peak. KISS is an ongoing wide-field objective-prism survey for extragalactic emission-line objects, which has cataloged over 2200 emission-line galaxy (ELG) candidates to date. Spectroscopic follow-up observations are being carried out to study the characteristics of the survey objects. The observational data presented here include redshifts, reddening estimates, line equivalent widths, Hα line fluxes, and emission-line ratios. The galaxies have been classified based on their emission-line characteristics. The procedure for selecting the ELG candidates in …


Decay Of Trapped-Particle Asymmetry Modes In Non-Neutral Plasmas In A Malmberg-Penning Trap, Grant W. Mason May 2003

Decay Of Trapped-Particle Asymmetry Modes In Non-Neutral Plasmas In A Malmberg-Penning Trap, Grant W. Mason

Faculty Publications

The mechanism for the strong damping of diocotron-like azimuthal trapped-particle asymmetry modes in a Malmberg-Penning trap is investigated with a detailed three-dimensional particle-in-cell computer simulation. The m = 1,kzis not equal to 0 modes are created by a voltage squeeze from a mid-detector ring followed by a displacement of trapped particles in opposite directions on either side of the ring. The voltage squeeze creates a population of particles confined to half the trap length (trapped) and a population of particles that move longitudinally along the full length of the cylinder (untrapped). The damping of the modes is found to be …


Optically Oriented And Detected Electron Spin Resonance In A Lightly Doped N-Gaas Layer, John S. Colton, T. A. Kennedy, A. S. Bracker, D. Gammon, J. B. Miller Apr 2003

Optically Oriented And Detected Electron Spin Resonance In A Lightly Doped N-Gaas Layer, John S. Colton, T. A. Kennedy, A. S. Bracker, D. Gammon, J. B. Miller

Faculty Publications

Spin resonance of localized electrons bound to donors in a specially designed n-GaAs layer has been performed at 236 MHz and 41 mT, using circular polarized light to polarize the electrons and photoluminescence to detect the electronic polarization. The polarization was diminished under the resonance condition. The electronic g factor obtained by this measurement is - 0.41 ± 0.01. The resonance linewidth of 2 mT corresponds to a spin lifetime of 28 ns. In order to observe the electronic spin resonance, nuclear effects were eliminated by application of rf fields to simultaneously resonate the nuclear spins.


Bv Photometry Of Ux Ari In The Period 1987–2002, Vidar Aarum Ulvås, Gregory W. Henry Apr 2003

Bv Photometry Of Ux Ari In The Period 1987–2002, Vidar Aarum Ulvås, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present 14.3 years of previously unpublished photometric observations of UX Ari. The observations were obtained between 1987.9 and 2002.2 using the T3 0.4-metre Automatic Photoelectric Telescope at Fairborn Observatory and consist of 1228 B band and 1213 V band measurements. The comparison star was 62 Ari. We have analyzed the new data together with previously published photometric observations. The V magnitude shows variations with dominant periods of about 12 and 25 years, where the longest period seems to correspond to an activity cycle. The previously reported anticorrelation between the colour and V magnitude variations is confirmed.


An Extended Burst Tail From Sgr 1900+14 With A Thermal X-Ray Spectrum, Geoffrey T. Lenters, Peter M. Woods, Johnathan E. Goupell, Chryssa Kouveliotou Apr 2003

An Extended Burst Tail From Sgr 1900+14 With A Thermal X-Ray Spectrum, Geoffrey T. Lenters, Peter M. Woods, Johnathan E. Goupell, Chryssa Kouveliotou

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The soft gamma repeater SGR 1900+14 entered a new phase of activity in 2001 April initiated by the intermediate flare recorded on April 18. Ten days following this flare, we discovered an abrupt increase in the source flux between consecutive Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) orbits. This X-ray flux excess decayed over the next several minutes and was subsequently linked to a high fluence burst from SGR 1900+14 recorded by other spacecraft (Ulysses and Wind/Konus) while the SGR was Earth-occulted for RXTE. We present here spectral and temporal analysis of both the burst of April 28 and the long X-ray …


An Efficient Targeting Strategy For Multiobject Spectrograph Surveys: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey “Tiling” Algorithm, Michael R. Blanton, Huan Lin, Robert H. Lupton, F. Miller Maley, Neal Young Apr 2003

An Efficient Targeting Strategy For Multiobject Spectrograph Surveys: The Sloan Digital Sky Survey “Tiling” Algorithm, Michael R. Blanton, Huan Lin, Robert H. Lupton, F. Miller Maley, Neal Young

Dartmouth Scholarship

Large surveys using multiobject spectrographs require automated methods for deciding how to efficiently point observations and how to assign targets to each pointing. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) will observe around 106 spectra from targets distributed over an area of about 10,000 deg2 , using a multiobject fiber spectrograph that can simultaneously observe 640 objects in a circular field of view (referred to as a ‘‘ tile ’’) 1= 49 in radius. No two fibers can be placed closer than 5500 during the same observation; multiple targets closer than this distance are said to ‘‘ collide.’’ We present here …


The Orbit And Pulsation Periods Of The Γ Doradus Variable Hr 6844 (V2502 Ophiuchi), Francis C. Fekel, Gregory W. Henry Apr 2003

The Orbit And Pulsation Periods Of The Γ Doradus Variable Hr 6844 (V2502 Ophiuchi), Francis C. Fekel, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We obtained spectroscopic and photometric observations of the γ Doradus variable HR 6844 (=V2502 Ophiuchi). Radial velocities show that this star is a single-lined binary with a period of 4.4852 days. The primary is an F1 V star, while the secondary is likely an M dwarf. Velocity residuals to a circular orbit have a period of 1.3071 days and an amplitude of ∼3 km s-1. Three periods of light variation were detected, 1.30702, 1.4350, and 0.62286 days. The first period is essentially identical to that found in the radial velocities and has the largest amplitude, a peak-to-peak value of 0.067 …


Spectroscopy Of Early F Stars: Γ Doradus Candidates And Possible Metallic Shell Stars, Francis C. Fekel, Phillip B. Warner, Anthony B. Kaye Apr 2003

Spectroscopy Of Early F Stars: Γ Doradus Candidates And Possible Metallic Shell Stars, Francis C. Fekel, Phillip B. Warner, Anthony B. Kaye

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We obtained high-resolution spectroscopic observations of 34 γ Doradus candidates. From the red-wavelength spectra, we determined spectral classes, radial velocities, and projected rotational velocities. The spectra of seven late A or early F stars show metallic lines that have composite profiles consisting of a narrow component near the center of a broad line, indicating that they may be shell stars or binaries. Several stars, including HD 152896, HD 173977, HD 175337, and HD 195068/9, show large line profile asymmetries. Two stars, HD 11443 (=α Trianguli) and HD 149420, are ellipsoidal variables and not γ Doradus stars. The percentage of binary …


Cross Sections Spring 2003, Department Of Physics And Astronomy Apr 2003

Cross Sections Spring 2003, Department Of Physics And Astronomy

Cross Sections

No abstract provided.


Modes In A Non-Neutral Plasma Of Finite Length, M = 0,1, S. Neil Rasband, Ross L. Spencer Apr 2003

Modes In A Non-Neutral Plasma Of Finite Length, M = 0,1, S. Neil Rasband, Ross L. Spencer

Faculty Publications

For realistic, cold equilibria of finite length representing a pure electron plasma confined in a cylindrical Malmberg–Penning trap, the mode spectrum for Trivelpiece–Gould, m=0, and for diocotron, m=1, modes is calculated numerically. A novel method involving finite elements is used to successfully compute eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions for plasma equilibria shaped like pancakes, cigars, long cylinders, and all things in between. Mostly sharp-boundary density configurations are considered but also included in this study are diffuse density profiles including ones with peaks off axis leading to instabilities. In all cases the focus has been on elucidating the role of finite length in …


High-Resolution Chandra Spectroscopy Of Tau Scorpii: A Narrow-Line X-Ray Spectrum From A Hot Star, David H. Cohen, Genevieve Escande De Messières , '04, J. J. Macfarlane, N. A. Miller, J. P. Cassinelli, S. P. Owocki, D. A. Liedahl Mar 2003

High-Resolution Chandra Spectroscopy Of Tau Scorpii: A Narrow-Line X-Ray Spectrum From A Hot Star, David H. Cohen, Genevieve Escande De Messières , '04, J. J. Macfarlane, N. A. Miller, J. P. Cassinelli, S. P. Owocki, D. A. Liedahl

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

Long known to be an unusual early-type star by virtue of its hard and strong X-ray emission, tau Scorpii poses a severe challenge to the standard picture of O-star wind-shock X-ray emission. The Chandra HETGS spectrum now provides significant direct evidence that this B0.2 star does not fit this standard wind-shock framework. The many emission lines detected with the Chandra gratings are significantly narrower than what would be expected from a star with the known wind properties of tau Sco, although they are broader than the corresponding lines seen in late-type coronal sources. While line ratios are consistent with the …


Hard X-Ray Polarimeter For Gamma-Ray Bursts And Solar Flares, Mark L. Mcconnell, J Ledoux, John R. Macri, James M. Ryan Mar 2003

Hard X-Ray Polarimeter For Gamma-Ray Bursts And Solar Flares, Mark L. Mcconnell, J Ledoux, John R. Macri, James M. Ryan

Space Science Center

We report on the development of a dedicated polarimeter design that is capable of studying the linear polarization of hard X-rays (50-300 keV) from gamma-ray bursts and solar flares. This compact design, based on the use of a large area position-sensitive PMT (PSPMT), is referred to as GRAPE (Gamma-RAy Polarimeter Experiment). The PSPMT is used to determine the Compton interaction location within an array of small plastic scintillator elements. Some of the photons that scatter within the plastic scintillator array are subsequently absorbed by a small centrally-located array of CsI(Tl) crystals that is read out by an independent multi-anode PMT. …