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University of Kentucky

Series

2008

Masers

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physics

The Effect Of 53 ΜM Ir Radiation On 18 Cm Oh Megamaser Emission, Philip Lockett, Moshe Elitzur Apr 2008

The Effect Of 53 ΜM Ir Radiation On 18 Cm Oh Megamaser Emission, Philip Lockett, Moshe Elitzur

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

OH megamasers (OHMs) emit primarily in the main lines at 1667 and 1665 MHz and differ from their Galactic counterparts due to their immense luminosities, large line widths, and 1667/1665 MHz flux ratios, which are always greater than 1. We find that these maser properties result from strong 53 μm radiative pumping combined with line overlap effects caused by turbulent line widths ~20 km s-1 pumping calculations that do not include line overlap are unreliable. A minimum dust temperature of ~45 K is needed for inversion, and maximum maser efficiency occurs for dust temperatures ~80-140 K. We find …


Excited-State Oh Masers And Supernova Remnants, Ylva M. Pihlström, Vincent L. Fish, Loránt O. Sjouwerman, Laura K. Zschaechner, Philip B. Lockett, Moshe Elitzur Mar 2008

Excited-State Oh Masers And Supernova Remnants, Ylva M. Pihlström, Vincent L. Fish, Loránt O. Sjouwerman, Laura K. Zschaechner, Philip B. Lockett, Moshe Elitzur

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The collisionally pumped, ground-state 1720 MHz maser line of OH is widely recognized as a tracer for shocked regions and observed in star-forming regions and supernova remnants. Whereas some lines of excited states of OH have been detected and studied in star-forming regions, the subject of excited-state OH in supernova remnants-where high collision rates are to be expected-is only recently being addressed. Modeling of collisional excitation of OH demonstrates that 1720, 4765, and 6049 MHz masers can occur under similar conditions in regions of shocked gas. In particular, the 6049 and 4765 MHz masers become more significant at increased OH …