From The Big Bang To Table Mountain: The Cosmic Biography Of Atoms,
2011
Utah State University
From The Big Bang To Table Mountain: The Cosmic Biography Of Atoms, Shane L. Larson
Public Talks
No abstract provided.
New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Vii. 47 Andromedae, 38 Cassiopeiae, And Hr 8467,
2011
Tennessee State University
New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Vii. 47 Andromedae, 38 Cassiopeiae, And Hr 8467, Francis C. Fekel, Jocelyn Tomkin, Michael H. Williamson, Dimitri Pourbaix
Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications
Improved orbital elements for three double-lined spectroscopic binaries, 47 And, 38 Cas, and HR 8467, have been determined with extensive new radial velocities. For 38 Cas lines of the secondary have been detected for the first time. Given the orbital periods for these systems of 35.3682, 134.130, and 42.3813 days, respectively, it is not surprising that all three have either moderate or relatively high eccentricities. The orbital dimensions (a1sin i and a2sin i) and minimum masses (m1sin 3i and m2sin 3i) have accuracies of 0.5% or better. An astrometric orbit for 38 Cas, which was recomputed with Hipparcos astrometry and …
Investigating Students' Mental Models And Knowledge Construction Of Microscopic Friction. I. Implications For Curriculum Design And Development,
2011
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Investigating Students' Mental Models And Knowledge Construction Of Microscopic Friction. I. Implications For Curriculum Design And Development, Edgar D. Corpuz, N. Sanjay Rebello
Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications
In this paper, we discuss the first phase of a multiphase study aimed at investigating the dynamics of students' knowledge construction in the context of unfamiliar physical phenomenon-microscopic friction. The first phase of this study involved the investigation of the variations in students' mental models of microscopic friction. Clinical interviews were conducted with 11 students enrolled in conceptual modern physics to elicit their ideas and generate themes of explanations. A phenomenographic approach of data analysis was employed to establish the variations in students' explanations. Results show that students' mental models of friction at the atomic level are dominated by their …
Ejecta Knot Flickering, Mass Ablation, And Fragmentation In Cassiopeia A,
2011
Dartmouth College
Ejecta Knot Flickering, Mass Ablation, And Fragmentation In Cassiopeia A, Robert A. Fesen, Jordan A. Zastrow, Molly C. Hammell, J. Michael Shull, Devin W. Silvia
Dartmouth Scholarship
Ejecta knot flickering, ablation tails, and fragmentation are expected signatures associated with the gradual dissolution of high-velocity supernova (SN) ejecta caused by their passage through an inhomogeneous circumstellar medium or interstellar medium (ISM). Such phenomena mark the initial stages of the gradual merger of SN ejecta with and the enrichment of the surrounding ISM. Here we report on an investigation of this process through changes in the optical flux and morphology of several high-velocity ejecta knots located in the outskirts of the young core-collapse SN remnant Cassiopeia A using Hubble Space Telescope images. Examination of WFPC2 F675W and combined ACS …
Torus And Active Galactic Nucleus Properties Of Nearby Seyfert Galaxies: Results From Fitting Infrared Spectral Energy Distributions And Spectroscopy,
2011
INTA-CSIC, Spain
Torus And Active Galactic Nucleus Properties Of Nearby Seyfert Galaxies: Results From Fitting Infrared Spectral Energy Distributions And Spectroscopy, Almudena Alonso-Herrero, Almeida Cristina Ramos, Rachel Mason, Ramos Andrés Asensio, Patrick F. Roche, Nancy A. Levenson, Moshe Elitzur, Christopher Packham, José Miguel Rodríguez Espinosa, Stuart Young, Tanio Díaz-Santos, Ana M. Pérez-García
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
We used the CLUMPY torus models and a Bayesian approach to fit the infrared spectral energy distributions and ground-based high angular resolution mid-infrared spectroscopy of 13 nearby Seyfert galaxies. This allowed us to put tight constraints on torus model parameters such as the viewing angle i, the radial thickness of the torus Y, the angular size of the cloud distribution σtorus, and the average number of clouds along radial equatorial rays N0. We found that the viewing angle i is not the only parameter controlling the classification of a galaxy into type 1 or …
Dynamical Masses Of Early-Type Galaxies: A Comparison To Lensing Results And Implications For The Stellar Initial Mass Function And The Distribution Of Dark Matter,
2011
Universitäts-Sternwarte München
Dynamical Masses Of Early-Type Galaxies: A Comparison To Lensing Results And Implications For The Stellar Initial Mass Function And The Distribution Of Dark Matter, J. Thomas, R. P. Saglia, R. Bender, D. Thomas, K. Gebhardt, J. Magorrian, E. M. Corsini, G. Wegner, S. Seitz
Dartmouth Scholarship
This work aims to study the distribution of the luminous and dark matter in Coma early-type galaxies. Dynamical masses obtained under the assumption that mass follows light do not match with the masses of strong gravitational lens systems of similar velocity dispersions. Instead, dynamical fits with dark matter haloes are in good agreement with lensing results. We derive mass-to-light ratios of the stellar populations from Lick absorption line indices, reproducing well the observed galaxy colours. Even in dynamical models with dark matter haloes the amount of mass that follows the light increases more rapidly with the galaxy velocity dispersion than …
Photoemission By Large Electron Wave Packets Emitted Out The Side Of A Relativistic Laser Focus,
2011
Brigham Young University - Provo
Photoemission By Large Electron Wave Packets Emitted Out The Side Of A Relativistic Laser Focus, Eric Flint Cunningham
Theses and Dissertations
There are at least two common models for calculating the photoemission of accelerated electrons. The 'extended-charge-distribution' method uses the quantum probability current (multiplied by the electron charge) as a source current for Maxwell's equations. The 'point-like-emitter' method treats the electron like a point particle instead of like a diffuse body of charge. Our goal is to differentiate between these two viewpoints empirically. To do this, we consider a large electron wave packet in a high-intensity laser field, in which case the two viewpoints predict measurable photoemission rates that differ by orders of magnitude. Under the treatment of the 'extended-charge-distribution' model, …
The Dark Side Of Qso Formation At High Redshifts,
2011
University of Kentucky
The Dark Side Of Qso Formation At High Redshifts, Emilio Romano-Díaz, Isaac Shlosman, Michele Trenti, Yehuda Hoffman
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
Observed high-redshift QSOs, at z ~ 6, may reside in massive dark matter (DM) halos of more than 1012 M☉ and are thus expected to be surrounded by overdense regions. In a series of 10 constrained simulations, we have tested the environment of such QSOs. The usage of constrained realizations has enabled us to address the issue of cosmic variance and to study the statistical properties of the QSO host halos. Comparing the computed overdensities with respect to the unconstrained simulations of regions empty of QSOs, assuming there is no bias between the DM and baryon distributions, and …
The Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative (Yeti),
2011
Swarthmore College
The Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative (Yeti), R. Neuhäuser, R. Errmann, A. Berndt, G. Maciejewski, H. Takahashi, W. P. Chen, D. P. Dimitrov, T. Pribulla, E. H. Nikogossian, Eric L.N. Jensen, L. Marschall, Z.-Y. Wu, A. Kellerer, F. M. Walter, C. Briceño, R. Chini, M. Fernández, S. Raetz, G. Torres, D. W. Latham, S. N. Quinn, A. Niedzielski, L. Bukowiecki, G. Nowak, T. Tomov, K. Tachihara, S. C.-L. Hu, L. W. Hung, D. P. Kjurkchieva, V. S. Radeva, B. M. Mihov, L. Slavcheva-Mihova, I. N. Bozhinova, J. Budaj, M. Vanko, E. Kundra, L. Hambalek, V. Krushevska, T. Movsessian, H. Harutyunyan, J. J. Downes, J. Hernandez, V. H. Hoffmeister, David H. Cohen, Imoleayo Samson Abel , '14, Rebecca Ruby Ahmad , '14, Seth Walker Chapman , '14, Sierra Clare Eckert , '14, Jackson Goodman , '13, Adrien Charles Guerard , '14, H. M. Kim, Andrew Evan Koontharana , '11, Joshua Daniel Sokol , '11, Jennifer Trinh , '11, Yuwen Wang , '14, X. Zhou, R. Redmer, U. Kramm, N. Nettelmann, M. Mugrauer, J. Schmidt, M. Moualla, C. Ginski, C. Marka, C. Adam, M. Seeliger, S. Baar, T. Roell, T. O.B. Schmidt, L. Trepl, T. Eisenbeiss, S. Fiedler, N. Tetzlaff, E. Schmidt, M. M. Hohle, M. Kitze, N. Chakrova, C. Grafe, K. Schreyer, V. V. Hambaryan, C. H. Broeg, J. Koppenhoefer, A. K. Pandey
Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works
We present the Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative (YETI), in which we use several 0.2 to 2.6-m telescopes around the world to monitor continuously young (<= 100 Myr), nearby (<= 1 kpc) stellar clusters mainly to detect young transiting planets (and to study other variability phenomena on time-scales from minutes to years). The telescope network enables us to observe the targets continuously for several days in order not to miss any transit. The runs are typically one to two weeks long, about three runs per year per cluster in two or three subsequent years for about ten clusters. There are thousands of stars detectable in each field with several hundred known cluster members, e. g. in the first cluster observed, Tr-37, a typical cluster for the YETI survey, there are at least 469 known young stars detected in YETI data down to R = 16.5 mag with sufficient precision of 50 millimag rms (5 mmag rms down to R = 14.5 mag) to detect transits, so that we can expect at least about one young transiting object in this cluster. If we observe similar to 10 similar clusters, we can expect to detect similar to 10 young transiting planets with radius determinations. The precision given above is for a typical telescope of the YETI network, namely the 60/90-cm Jena telescope (similar brightness limit, namely within +/-1 mag, for the others) so that planetary transits can be detected. For targets with a periodic transit-like light curve, we obtain spectroscopy to ensure that the star is young and that the transiting object can be sub-stellar; then, we obtain Adaptive Optics infrared images and spectra, to exclude other bright eclipsing stars in the (larger) optical PSF; we carry out other observations as needed to rule out other false positive scenarios; finally, we also perform spectroscopy to determine the mass of the transiting companion. For planets with mass and radius determinations, we can calculate the mean density and probe the internal structure. We aim to constrain planet formation models and their time-scales by discovering planets younger than similar to 100 Myr and determining not only their orbital parameters, but also measuring their true masses and radii, which is possible so far only by the transit method. Here, we present an overview and first results. (C) 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
The Role Of Hole Localization In Sacrificial Hydrogen Production By Semiconductor-Metal Heterostructured Nanocrystals,
2011
Bowling Green State University
The Role Of Hole Localization In Sacrificial Hydrogen Production By Semiconductor-Metal Heterostructured Nanocrystals, Krishna P. Acharya, Rony S. Khnayzer, Timothy O’Connor, Geoffrey Diederich, Maria Kirsanova, Anna Klinkova, Daniel Roth, Erich Kinder, Martene Imboden, Mikhail Zamkov
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
The effect of hole localization on photocatalytic activity of Pt-tipped semiconductor nanocrystals is investigated. By tuning the energy balance at the semiconductor-ligand interface, we demonstrate that hydrogen production on Pt sites is efficient only when electron-donating molecules are used for stabilizing semiconductor surfaces. These surfactants play an important role in enabling an efficient and stable reduction of water by heterostructured nanocrystals as they fill vacancies in the valence band of the semiconductor domain, preventing its degradation. In particular, we show that the energy of oxidizing holes can be efficiently transferred to a ligand moiety, leaving the semiconductor domain intact. This …
Stellar Fossils: Globular Clusters As Probes Of The Galaxy,
2011
Utah State University
Stellar Fossils: Globular Clusters As Probes Of The Galaxy, Shane L. Larson
Public Talks
No abstract provided.
Nova M31n 2007-12b: Supersoft X-Rays Reveal An Intermediate Polar?,
2011
Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstraße
Nova M31n 2007-12b: Supersoft X-Rays Reveal An Intermediate Polar?, W. Pietsch, M. Henze, F. Haberl, M. Hernanz, G. Sala, Dieter H. Hartmann, M. Della Valle
Publications
Context. In the central part of M 31, a high number of optical novae can be targeted within the field of view of the XMM-Newton EPIC and Chandra HRC-I X-ray detectors. A special monitoring program of the area has allowed us to investigate supersoft emission of individual novae in detail and perform a statistical analysis of the sample. Aims. For the He/N nova M31N 2007-12b, we aimed to constrain the time of appearance of a supersoft source (SSS) and the duration of the SSS state as well as determine the spectral and time variability while the source was bright. Methods. …
Quiescent X-Ray Variability From The Neutron Star Transient Aql X-1,
2011
Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge
Quiescent X-Ray Variability From The Neutron Star Transient Aql X-1, E. M. Cackett, J. K. Fridriksson, J. Homan, J. M. Miller, R. Wijnands
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications
A number of studies have revealed variability from neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries during quiescence. Such variability is not well characterized, or understood, but may be a common property that has been missed due to lack of multiple observations. One such source where variability has been observed is Aql X-1. Here, we analyse 14 Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of Aql X-1 in quiescence, covering a period of approximately 2 yr. There is clear variability between the epochs, with the most striking feature being a flare-like increase in the flux by a factor of 5. Spectral fitting is inconclusive as to …
High Gravitational Waveform Accuracy At Null Infinity,
2011
Marshall University
High Gravitational Waveform Accuracy At Null Infinity, Maria Babiuc-Hamilton
Physics Faculty Research
The aim of Cauchy-characteristic extraction is to provide a standardized waveform extraction tool for the numerical relativity community. The new extraction tool contains major improvements and corrections to previous versions and displays convergence. The error introduced by CCE satisfies the time domain criteria required for advanced LIGO data analysis. The importance of accurate waveforms to the gravitational wave astronomy has created an urgency for tools like CCE. The source code has been released to the public and is available as part of the Einstein Toolkit. We welcome applications to a variety of generic Cauchy codes implementing Einstein Equations of General …
A Volume-Limited Photometric Survey Of 114 Γ Doradus Candidates,
2011
Tennessee State University
A Volume-Limited Photometric Survey Of 114 Γ Doradus Candidates, Gregory W. Henry, Francis C. Fekel, Stephen M. Henry
Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications
We have carried out a photometric survey of a complete, volume-limited sample of γ Doradus candidates. The sample was extracted from the Hipparcos catalog and consists of 114 stars with colors and absolute magnitudes within the range of known γ Doradus stars and that also lie within a specified volume of 266,600 pc3. We devoted one year of observing time with our T12 0.8 m automatic photometric telescope to acquire nightly observations of the complete sample of stars. From these survey observations, we identify 37 stars with intrinsic variability of 0.002 mag or more. Of these 37 variables, 8 have …
Photoemission From A Laser-Driven Electron Wave Packet,
2011
Brigham Young University - Provo
Photoemission From A Laser-Driven Electron Wave Packet, John Purvis Corson
Theses and Dissertations
We use quantum electrodynamics (QED) to investigate the possibility of radiative interference from a single laser-driven electron wave packet. Intuition gleaned from classical electrodynamics suggests that radiation from a large electron wave packet might interfere destructively when different regions of the packet oscillate out of phase with each other. We show that when the incident light is represented with a multi-mode coherent state, the relative phases of the electron's constituent momenta have no influence of the amount of scattered light. Hence, the radiation does not depend on the amount of free-particle spreading experienced by the electron before the interaction. This …
Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Between Macroscopic Planar Surfaces,
2011
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer Between Macroscopic Planar Surfaces, R. S. Ottens, Volker Quetschke, Stacy Wise, A. A. Alemi, R. Lundock, G. Mueller, D. H. Reitze, D. B. Tanner, B. F. Whiting
Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications
Near-field radiation allows heat to propagate across a small vacuum gap at rates several orders of magnitude above that of far-field, blackbody radiation. Although heat transfer via near-field effects has been discussed for many years, experimental verification of this theory has been very limited. We have measured the heat transfer between two macroscopic sapphire plates, finding an increase in agreement with expectations from theory. These experiments, conducted near 300K, have measured the heat transfer as a function of separation over mm to μm and as a function of temperature differences between 2.5 and 30K. The experiments demonstrate that evanescence can …
The Role Of The Bow Shock In Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling,
2011
University of Texas at Arlington
The Role Of The Bow Shock In Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Coupling, R E. Lopez, V G. Merkin, J G. Lyon
Dartmouth Scholarship
No abstract provided.
Revised Orbit And Transit Exclusion For Hd 114762b,
2011
California Institute of Technology
Revised Orbit And Transit Exclusion For Hd 114762b, Stephen R. Kane, Gregory W. Henry, Diana Dragomir, Debra A. Fischer, Andrew W. Howard, Xuesong Wang, Jason T. Wright
Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications
Transiting planets around bright stars have allowed the detailed follow-up and characterization of exoplanets, such as the study of exoplanetary atmospheres. The Transit Ephemeris Refinement and Monitoring Survey is refining the orbits of the known exoplanets to confirm or rule out both transit signatures and the presence of additional companions. Here we present results for the companion orbiting HD 114762 in an eccentric 84 day orbit. Radial velocity analysis performed on 19 years of Lick Observatory data constrain the uncertainty in the predicted time of mid-transit to ∼5 hr, which is less than the predicted one-half day transit duration. We …
Thermal Conductance Of A Two-Channel Kondo Model,
2011
University of Oradea
Thermal Conductance Of A Two-Channel Kondo Model, C P. Moca, A Roman, D C. Marinescu
Publications
A theory of thermal transport in a two-channel Kondo system, such as the one formed by a small quantum dot coupled to two leads and to a larger dot, is formulated. The interplay of the two screening constants allow an exploration of the Fermi liquid and non-Fermi liquid regimes. By using analytical, as well as numerical, renormalization group methods, we study the temperature dependence of the thermal conductance and the Lorentz number. We find that in the low-temperature limit, the Lorentz number attains its universal value, irrespective of the nature of the ground state.
