Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

The Morphology Of Low Surface Brightness Disk Galaxies, Stacy S. Mcgaugh

Faculty Scholarship

We present UBVI and Ha images of a sample of Low Surface Brightness (LSB) disk galaxies. These galaxies are generally late types, if they can be sensibly classified at all. However, they are not dwarfs, being intrinsically large and luminous. The morphology of LSB galaxies is discussed in terms of the physical interpretation of the Hubble sequence. Galaxies with high contrast relative to the sky background are subject to being more finely typed than those that appear merely as fuzzy blobs on photographic plates. This causes the stages of the Hubble sequence to be nonlinear in the sense that large …

Density Of States Of A Damped Quantum Oscillator, Andreas Hanke, W. Zwerger

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We calculate the density of states of a damped quantum-mechanical harmonic oscillator which is described by a Caldeira-Leggett type model with Ohmic dissipation and a Drude-like cutoff. From the exact expression for the associated partition function, we derive the asymptotic behavior of the density of states using Tauberian theorems. An effective algorithm to evaluate the density of states is presented and examples are given. It is pointed out that the calculated density of states is an experimentally accessible quantity.

Waterjet Cutting Of Cross-Linked Glass, Fang Yuan, John A. Johnson, David D. Allred, Robert H. Todd

Faculty Publications

The cutting of cross-linked glasses such as silica and Corning 7059 can be difficult. We conducted an experimental study to determine the feasibility of using a high-speed waterjet to cut thin Corning 7095 glass. Cutting using either pure de-ionized high pressure water at 380 MPa (55 000 psi) or de-ionized water with entrained garnet abrasive was studied. The roughness of the cut surfaces was measured and compared. Photomicrographs were taken of glass examples cut at different traversing rates with pure water and with the abrasive entrained waterjet. Comparative studies of cutting with and without the entrained abrasive material showed that …

Shock Study In Fully Relativistic Isothermal Flows. Ii, Ruixin Yang, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The isothermal shocks and their stabilities in fully relativistic accretion wedge flows onto black holes are studied. The jump condition across the shock is modified by the relativistic effects when the sound speed is comparable to the speed of light. With a new kind of instability analysis, it is found that only one of the two possible shocks is stable. The results are applied to the QPO behavior in galactic black hole candidates such as Cygnus X-1.

Ultraviolet Temporal Variability Of The Peculiar Star R Aquarii, S. R. Meier, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

This paper is a comprehensive study of all far-UV spectra obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite of the symbiotic star R Aquarii (R Aqr) covering a 13 yr period between 1979 and 1992. We have analyzed the ultraviolet emission for the compact H II region and the NE and SW extended "jetlike" filamentary structures. The results of our ultraviolet analysis indicate that the H II region and features A, B, and D of the NE jet are increasing in intensity, while the SW counterjet, feature A', has declined in intensity. We have found much stronger evidence that the …

Osse Observations In Blazars, K. Mcnaron-Brown, W. N. Johnson, G. V. Jung, R. L. Kinzer, J. D. Kurfess, M. S. Strickman, C. D. Dermer, D. A. Grabelsky, W. R. Purcell, M. P. Ulmer, Menas Kafatos, P. A. Becker, R. Staubert, M. Maisack

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Results are reported on observations obtained with the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) of 17 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) known to exhibit blazar properties at other wavelengths. These observations span the period from 1991 June through 1994 May. Of the 33 high-confidence EGRET detections of blazars during CGRO observing phases 1 and 2 (1991 May 16-1993 September 7), OSSE has observed eight and detected five, namely 3C 273, 3C 279, PKS 0528+134, CTA 102, and 3C 454.3. Additionally, OSSE has detected the BL Lac sources H1517+65.6 and PKS 2155-304, which were not …

Multiwavelength Observations Of Markarian 421 During A Tev/X-Ray Flare, D. J. Macomb, C. W. Akerlof, H. D. Aller, M. F. Aller, D. L. Bertsch, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A Te V flare from the BL Lac object Mrk 421 was detected in May of 1994 by the Whipple Observatory air Cherenkov experiment during which the flux above 250 GeV increased by nearly an order of magnitude over a 2-day period. Contemporaneous observations by ASCA showed the X-ray flux to be in a very high state. We present these results, combined with the first ever simultaneous or nearly simultaneous observations at Ge V gamma-ray, UV, IR, mm, and radio energies for this nearest BL Lac object. While the GeV gamma-ray flux increased slightly, there is little evidence for variability …

Implications Of Gamma-Ray Transparency Constraints In Blazars: Minimum Distances And Gamma-Ray Collimation, P. A. Becker, Menas Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We develop a general expression for the γ-γ absorption coefficient, αγγ, for γ-rays propagating in an arbitrary direction at an arbitrary point in space above an X-ray-emitting accretion disk. The X-ray intensity is assumed to vary as a power law in energy and radius between the outer disk radius, R0 , and the inner radius, Rm., which is the radius of marginal stability for a Schwarzschild black hole. We use our result for αγγ to calculate the γ-γ optical depth, Tγγ, for γ-rays created at height z and propagating at angle Φ relative to the disk axis, and we show …

Evidence For Virtual Compton Scattering From Proton, J.F.J. Van Den Brand, R. Ent, P. L. Anthony, R. G. Arnold, J. Arrington, E. J. Beise, J. E. Belz, P. E. Bosted, H. J. Bulten, M. S. Chapman, K. P. Coulter, F. S. Dietrich, M. Epstein, B. W. Filippone, H. Gao, R. A. Gearhart, D. F. Geesaman, J.-O. Hansen, R. J. Holt, H. E. Jackson, C. E. Jones, C. E. Keppel, E. R. Kinney, S. Kuhn, K. Lee, W. Lorenzon, A. Lung, N.C.R. Makins, D.J. Margaziotis, R.D. Mckeown, R.G. Milner, B. Mueller, J. Napolitano, J. Nelson, T. G. O'Neill, V. Pavavassiliou, G. G. Petratos, D. H. Potterveld, S. E. Rock, M. Spengos, Z. M. Szalata, L. H. Tao, K Van Bibber, D. A. Wasson, J.L. White, B. Zeidman

Physics Faculty Publications

In virtual Compton scattering an electron is scattered off a nucleon such that the nucleon emits a photon. We show that these events can be selected experimentally, and present the first evidence for virtual Compton scattering from the proton in data obtained at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The angular and energy dependence of the data is well described by a calculation that includes the coherent sum of electron and proton radiation.

Exclusive Electron Scattering From Deuterium At High Momentum Transfer, H. J. Bulten, P. L. Anthony, R. G. Arnold, J. Arrington, E. J. Beise, E. Belz, K. Van Bibber, P. E. Bosted, J.F.J. Van Den Brand, M. S. Chapman, K. P. Coulter, F. S. Dietrich, R. Ent, M. Epstein, B. W. Filippone, H. Gao, R.A. Gearhart, D. F. Geesaman, J.-O. Hansen, R. J. Holt, H. E. Jackson, C. E. Jones, C. E. Keppel, E. Kinney, S. E. Kuhn, K. Lee, W. Lorenzon, A. Lung, N.C.R. Makins, D. J. Margaziotis, R.D. Mckeown, R. G. Milner, B. Mueller, J. Napolitano, J. Nelson, T.G. O'Neill, V. Papavassiliou, G. G. Petratos, D. H. Potterveld, S. E. Rock, M. Spengos, Z. M. Szalata, L. H. Tao, J. L. White, B. Zeidman

Physics Faculty Publications

Cross sections are presented for the reaction ²H(e,e′p)n for momentum transfers in the range 1.2 ≤Q²≤ 6.8 (GeV/c)2 and for missing momenta from 0 to 250 MeV/c. The longitudinal-transverse interference structure function has been separated at Q²=1.2(GeV/c)². The observables are compared to calculations performed in nonrelativistic and relativistic frameworks. The data are best described by a fully relativistic calculation.

Precision Measurement Of Relative Dipole Matrix Elements In Atomic Sodium, Rodney P. Meyer

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Relative dipole matrix elements are measured by means of a new spectroscopic technique called polarization interference spectroscopy. It is a two-color two-photon nonresonant process that maps the matrix elements into the energy domain by means of quantum mechanical interference. The technique measures the relative magnitude of the reduced matrix elements, particularly those involving excited states, to accuracies that are an order of magnitude better than previously available. Also, for the first time the relative phase of the reduced matrix elements is measured. The ratio of reduced matrix elements for the transitions 3s ²S_1/2 →3P ²P_3/2 →5s …

Tracking And Impact Prediction Of Earth-Crossing-Objects (Ecos) On A Collision Course With Earth, Gregory A. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effectiveness of Earth-based angles only observations in determining the orbit of various hypothetical Earth-Crossing-Objects (ECOs). 'True' trajectories were simulated specifically for Earth-Crossing- Comets (ECCs) by numerically integrating in a Restricted Three Body system. Starting at Earth impact points, the state vectors were reverse-propagated" to a proposed detection time. Observations (obs), with state-of-the-art accuracy, were then simulated with error induced by a Gaussian random number generator; these were used in a least- squares differential corrector to estimate the positions of the ECOs. State vectors and covariance matrices were then propagated to the impact times and axis lengths …

Effects Of Photon Noise On Unconstrained Minimization Techniques For Iterative Blind Deconvolution, Derek K. Davis

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, imaging through atmospheric turbulence has interested military scientists seeking to improve optical surveillance of satellites. Adaptive optics was a step toward achieving diffraction-limited resolution from ground-based telescopes. Unfortunately, adaptive optics only partially compensate for atmospheric blurring, therefore post processing of images is required. Processing methods in use today require knowledge of the impulse response of the optical system to reconstruct imagery, but this information is seldom known. This thesis looks at a new metal of processing compensated imagery, called blind deconvolution, which assumes very little or no a priori information about the impulse response. In particular, this …

Orbital Studies Of The Cataclysmic Variables Cz Orionis, V1193 Orionis And Bz Ursae Majoris, F. A. Ringwald, J. R. Thorstensen, R. M. Hamwey

Dartmouth Scholarship

Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals the orbital periods of three cataclysmic variables. CZ Ori has an orbital period of 0.2189 d. This is within 3 per cent of a prediction relating orbital period and dwarf nova outburst decline time. We find the M2.5 ± 1.0 secondary, and infer an absolute magnitude for CZ Ori in RKc of 8.5 ± 1.0 and a distance of 260 ± 110 pc. V1193 Ori, also called Hamuy's Blue Variable, has an orbital period of 0.165 d. In 1988, Ha emission line profile variations suggested red star illumination. In 1989, this line's red wing flared at orbital …

Chromospherically Active Stars. Xiii. Hd 30957: A Double Lined K Dwarf Binary, Francis C. Fekel, Virgiljus Dadonas, Julius Sperauskas, Todd R. Vaccaro, L. Ronald Patterson

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

HD 30957 is a double-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 44.395 days and a modest eccentricity of 0.09. The spectral types of the components are K2-3 V and K5 V. The measured v sin i for both components is less than or equal to 3 km/s and the orbital inclination is estimated to be 69 deg. The system is relatively nearby with a parallax of 0.025 sec or a distance of 40 pc. Space motions of the system indicate that it does not belong to any of the known moving groups. Absolute surface fluxes of the Ca II H …

Extraordinary Line-Emitting Knots In The Crab Nebula, Gordon M. Macalpine, Stephen S. Lawrence, Beth A. Brown, Alan Uomoto, Bruce E. Woodgate, Larry W. Brown, Ronald J. Oliversen, James D. Lowenthal, Charles Liu

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Extraordinary, semistellar, line-emitting knots are apparent in images of the Crab Nebula which were obtained with the Goddard Fabry-Perot imager at the Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT Observatory. The knots are most prominent for [O III] λ5007 emission through a 5.3 Å (FWHM) bandpass centered at 5015.3 Å, with representative fluxes of roughly 10-14 ergs cm-2 s-1. They are aligned in arcs, seven to the north and four to the south, from the pulsar. The northern group appears to be in a bounded corridor through the filamentary structure. Measurements over a 2 year baseline yield proper motions of order 0″.1 yr-1, corresponding to transverse …

Effects Of Aberrations On Spatially Modulated Fourier Transform Spectrometers, R Glenn Sellar, James Bruce Rafert

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Spatially modulated Fourier transform spectrometers (FTS) have a throughput advantage over dispersive spectrometers, since an FTS does not require a slit in order to achieve spectral resolution. The traditional implementation of FTSs employs a scanning Michelson interferometer, but since this interferometer is temporally modulated, it is difficult or impossible to use with a target whose spatial and/or spectral signature is changing rapidly. The less common spatially modulated approach to FTS allows all spectral channels to be acquired simultaneously, but cylindrical optics are required to create an imaging version a FTS (IFTS). This combination of cylindrical and spherical optics, used to …

Chromospherically Active Stars. Xii. Ads 11060 C: A Double Linked K Dwarf Binary In A Quintuple System, Francis C. Fekel, Gregory W. Henry, Melissa L. Hampton, Robert E. Fried, Mary D. Morton

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

ADS 11060 C is a double lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 25.7631 days and an eccentricity of 0.565. Spectral types of the two stars are estimated as K7 V and MO V with a magnitude difference of about 0.55 mag in V. The stars appear to be somewhat metal rich with respect to the Sun. Despite the relatively large masses of 0.53 and 0.51 solar mass, our photometric observations find no evidence for eclipses and we estimate an inclination of 77 deg plus or minus 11 deg. ADS 11060 C is, however, photometrically variable with a period of …

The Optical-Ultraviolet-Γ-Ray Spectrum Of 3c 279, Hagai Netzer, D. Kazanas, Beverley J. Wills, D. Wills, Han Mingsheng, M. S. Brotherton, J A. Baldwin, Gary J. Ferland, I. W. A. Browne

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have obtained spectrosocpy of the violently variable quasar 3C 279, simultaneous with γ-ray observations, in 1992 April. Our combined optical (McDonald Observatory and Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory (CTIO) and ultraviolet (HST) observations, made when the source was faint, show a very steep power-law continuum (F_ν∝ν^-1.95) and strong broad emission lines. This is the first time that the broad ultraviolet lines of this object have been measured, and we note several unusual properties of the spectrum. In particular, the profiles of C IV λ1549 and Mg II λ …

Automated Classification Of Stellar Spectra - I. Initial Results With Artificial Neural Networks, Ted Von Hippel, L.J. Storrie-Lombardi, M.C. Storrie-Lombardi, M.J. Irwin

Publications

We have initiated a project to classify stellar spectra automatically from high-dispersion objective prism plates. The automated technique presented here is a simple back propagation neural network and is based on the visual classification work of Houk. The plate material (Houk’s) is currently being digitized, and contains « 105 stars down to K æ 11 at æ 2-Â resolution from « 3850 to 5150 Â. For this first paper in the series, we report on the results of 575 stars digitized from 6 plates. We find that even with the limited data set now in hand we can determine the …

Raman Spectroscopic Study Of The Formation Of T-Mosi2 From Mo/Si Multilayers, Ming Cai, David D. Allred, A. Reyes-Mena

Faculty Publications

We have used Raman spectroscopy, large- and small-angle x-ray diffraction spectroscopy of sputter-deposited, vacuum-annealed, soft x-ray Mo/Si thin-film multilayers to study the physics of silicide formation. Two sets of multilayer samples with d-spacing 8.4 and 2.0 nm have been studied. Annealing at temperatures above 800 °C causes a gradual formation of amorphous MoSi2 interfaces between the Si and Mo layers. The transition from amorphous to crystalline MoSi2 is abrupt. The experimental results indicate that nucleation is the dominant process for the early stage and crystallization is the dominant process after nucleation is well advanced. In the thicker multilayer, a portion …

Strong Magnetic Field Effects And Molecular Processes With Applications To White Dwarfs, Phillip C. Stancil

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Radiative transitions of hydrogenlike atoms in external magnetic fields of strength applicable to magnetic white dwarfs, i.e. B < 10³ megagauss, have been investigated for field-free principal quantum numbers n < 6. Finite proton mass corrections are included. Relativistic corrections are also investigated. Transition probabilities are determined using the length, velocity, and acceleration forms of the electric dipole operator. Discrepancies between previous calculations and magnetic white dwarf observations of low-lying boundbound transitions have been studied. New results for high-lying transitions are also obtained.

The transition probability for the hydrogenlike 2s two-photon decay has been investigated and shown to increase substantially with field strength. The computed two-photon spectra show resonances and interference minima. Anomalous Zeeman depolarization features are found in computed two-photon polarization spectra of alkali atoms in laboratory strength magnetic fields. A previously observed fine structure depolarization feature is shown to decay with decreasing field strength.

Emitted Current Instability From Silicon Field Emission Emitters Due To Sputtering By Residual Gas Ions, W.I. Karain, Larry V. Knight, David D. Allred, A. Reyes-Mena

Faculty Publications

We have fabricated arrays of silicon field emitters using semiconductor lithography techniques. The density of the tips was 10^5/cm^2. The maximum current that can be extracted from each emitter is limited by resistive heating. We have investigated how the electron current emitted changes under constant applied voltage. We found that the current is very sensitive to the vacuum conditions. We attribute this to sputtering of the emitters due to ionized residual gas molecules. The poorer the vacuum, the higher the instability in the current. We studied this phenomenon at 10^6 and 10-x Torr. The model of two concentric spherical shells …

Mesostructure Of Photoluminescent Porous Silicon, David D. Allred, F. Ruiz, C. Vázquez-López, Jesus González-Hernández, G. Romero-Paredes, R. Peña-Sierra, G. Torres-Delgado

Faculty Publications

Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize the microstructure of photoluminescent porous silicon (PS) layers formed by the anodic etching (HF:H2O:ethanol), at various current densities, of p-type (100) silicon wafers possessing resitivity in the range 1-2 Ω cm. Existing models for the origin of luminescence in PS are not supported by our observations. Cross-sectional as well as surface atomic force micrographs show the material to be clumpy rather than columnar; rodlike structures are not observed down to a scale of 40 nm. A three-dimensional model of the mesostructure of porous silicon is discussed. Room-temperature …

Experimental Stark Shift Of Several Nii And Oii Spectral Lines, Mara Scepanovic, Vladimir Milosavljevic, Stevan Djenize, Mihajlo Platisa, Jaroslav Labat

Articles

Stark shift of four NII and seven OII spectral lines have been measured for the first time in the linear low pressure pulsed arc plasma and compared with existing theoretical values.

Comptel Imaging Of The Galactic Disk And The Separation Of Diffuse Emission And Point Sources, H Bloemen, W Hermsen, B Swanenburg, C De Vries, R Diehl, V. Schonfelder, H Steinle, A W. Strong, A Connors, Mark L. Mcconnell, D Morris, G Stacy, K Bennett, C Winkler

Physics & Astronomy

The first MeV image of the inner Galaxy obtained with the COMPTEL telescope aboard the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory shows a structured ridge of emisssion along the Galactic equator which probably consists of diffuse radiation and unresolved discrete sources. The intensity distribution of this ridge distinctly differs from the expected distribution for a simple model of the diffuse radiation. Most remarkable are the observed excursions out of the disk, which may hint at the presence of gamma-ray point sources located several degrees away from the mid-plane, but a diffuse origin cannot be excluded. If these are indeed discrete sources, a substantial …

A Protostellar Jet Model For The Water Masers In W49n, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Moshe Elitzur, James M. Stone, Arieh Königl

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Observations by Gwinn, Moran, & Reid of the proper motions of water masers in W49N show that they have elongated distribution expanding from a common center. Features with high space velocity only occur far from the center, while low-velocity features occur at all distances. We propose that these observations can be interpreted in terms of a shell of shocked molecular gas that is driven by the expanding cocoon of a high-velocity protostellar jet. We present three-dimensional numerical simulations in support of this interpretation and argue that this source provides a unique oppurtunity for a detailed study of jet-driven cocoons.

Oxygen Abundances In Low Surface Brightness Disk Galaxies, Stacy S. Mcgaugh

Faculty Scholarship

The oxygen abundances in the H II regions of a sample of low surface brightness (LSB) disk galaxies are presented. In general, LSB galaxies are found to be metal poor (Z < 1/3Z⊙). Indeed, some LSB galaxies rival the lowest abundance extragalactic objects known, and this sample greatly increases the number of very low metallicity systems known. These low metallicities indicate that LSB galaxies evolve slowly, forming relatively few stars over a Hubble time. The low metallicities of LSB galaxies occur even though many are comparable in size and mass to the prominent spirals which define the Hubble sequence. As well as being low in surface brightness, these galaxies tend to be isolated. This suggests that surface mass density and environment are more relevant to galaxy evolution than gross size. Despite the low surface brightness of the disks, massive (M > 60 M⊙) stars are inferred to be present and no abnormality of the IMF is indicated. Many low-excitation H II regions exist at low metallicity in LSB galaxies, and the ionization parameter is not tightly correlated with metallicity. However, there does seem to be a significant envelope of maximum ionization at a given metallicity.

Observations Of Gamma-Ray Bursts By Comptel, L O. Hanlon, K Bennett, W Collmar, A Connors, R Diehl, R Van Dijk, J Greiner, J W. Den Herder, W Hermsen, R M. Kippen, L Kuiper, Mark L. Mcconnell, James M. Ryan, V. Schonfelder, H Steinle, A W. Strong, M Varendorff, C Winkler

Physics & Astronomy

During the first year of operation, 22 cosmic gamma-ray bursts were detected within the field of view of the COMPTEL instrument on board the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Spectra and time histories for the strongest of these bursts have been obtained from both the main instrument (0.75-30 MeV) and the burst modules (0.3-10 MeV). The deconvolved photon spectra for the majority of bursts are fit by a single power law model with spectral index between -1.6 and -2.8. One strong burst, GRB 910814, exhibited significant curvature and could not be fit by a single power law model. A broken power …

Nebular Properties And The Ionizing Radiation Field In The Galactic Center, Joseph C. Shields, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Nebulosity in the central parsec of the Milky Way exhibits a low-ionization spectrum that has led previous analyses of this region to conclude that this material is photoionized by a relatively soft continuum. We have reanalyzed the infrared emission-line spectrum of te Galactic center in order to consider whether the data could actually be explained with photoionization by a relatively hard, yet dilute continuum, and additionally to constrain the properties of the reaiating plasma. We conclude that the composite infrared spectrum does not place strong restrictions on the nature of the ionizing continuum and that much of the ionized gas …