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At least 181 records · Page 10

X-Ray Studies of the Extended TeV Gamma-Ray Source VER J2019+368

This article reports the results of X-ray studies of the extended TeV γ-ray source VER J2019+368. Suzaku observations conducted to examine properties of the X-ray pulsar wind nebula (PWN) around PSR J2021+3651 revealed that the western region of the X-ray PWN has a source extent of 15{sup ′}×10{sup ′} with the major axis oriented to that of the TeV emission. The PWN-west spectrum was closely fitted by a power law for absorption at N(H)=(8.2{sub −1.1}{sup +1.3})×10{sup 21} cm{sup −2} and a photon index of Γ=2.05±0.12, with no obvious change in the index within the X-ray PWN. The measured X-ray absorption indicates that the distance to the source is much less than the 10 kpc inferred by radio data. Aside from the PWN, no extended emission was observed around PSR J2021+3651 even by Suzaku. Archival data from the XMM-Newton were also analyzed to complement the Suzaku observations, indicating that the eastern region of the X-ray PWN has a similar spectrum (N(H)=(7.5±0.9)×10{sup 21} cm{sup −2} and Γ=2.03±0.10) and source extent up to at least 12{sup ′} along the major axis. The lack of significant change in the photon index and the source extent in X-ray are used to constrain the advection velocity or the diffusion coefficient for accelerated X-ray-producing electrons. A mean magnetic field of ∼3 μG is required to account for the measured X-ray spectrum and reported TeV γ-ray spectrum. A model calculation of synchrotron radiation and inverse Compton scattering was able to explain ∼80% of the reported TeV flux, indicating that the X-ray PWN is a major contributor of VER J2019+368.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

MODIFICATION OF THE MOOG SPECTRAL SYNTHESIS CODES TO ACCOUNT FOR ZEEMAN BROADENING OF SPECTRAL LINES

In an attempt to widen access to the study of magnetic fields in stellar astronomy, I present MOOGStokes, a version of the MOOG one-dimensional local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer code, overhauled to incorporate a Stokes vector treatment of polarized radiation through a magnetic medium. MOOGStokes is a suite of three complementary programs, which together can synthesize the disk-averaged emergent spectrum of a star with a magnetic field. The first element (a pre-processing script called CounterPoint) calculates for a given magnetic field strength, wavelength shifts, and polarizations for the components of Zeeman-sensitive lines. The second element (a MOOG driver called SynStokes derived from the existing MOOG driver Synth) uses the list of Zeeman-shifted absorption lines together with the existing machinery of MOOG to synthesize the emergent spectrum at numerous locations across the stellar disk, accounting for stellar and magnetic field geometry. The third and final element (a post-processing script called DiskoBall) calculates the disk-averaged spectrum by weighting the individual emergent spectra by limb darkening and projected area, and applying the effects of Doppler broadening. All together, the MOOGStokes package allows users to synthesize emergent spectra of stars with magnetic fields in a familiar computational framework. MOOGStokes produces disk-averaged spectra for all Stokes vectors ( I, Q, U, V ), normalized by the continuum. MOOGStokes agrees well with the predictions of INVERS10 a polarized radiative transfer code with a long history of use in the study of stellar magnetic fields. In the non-magnetic limit, MOOGStokes also agrees with the predictions of the scalar version of MOOG.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Absorption in X-ray spectra of high-redshift quasars

We present evidence that X-ray absorption is common in high-redshift quasars. We have studied six high-redshift (z approximately 3) quasars with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) of which four are in directions of low Galactic N(sub H). Three out of these four show excess absorption, while only three in approximately 50 z approximately less than 0.4 quasars do, indicating that such absorption must be common, but not ubiquitous, at high redshifts, and that the absorbers must lie at z greater than 0.4. The six quasars were: S5 0014+81, Q0420-388, PKS 0438-436, S4 0636+680. PKS 2000-330, PKS 2126-158, which have redshifts between 2.85 and 3.78. PKS 0438-436 and PKS 2126-158 show evidence for absorption above the local Galactic value at better than 99.999% confidence level. If the absorber is at the redshift of the quasar, then values of N(sub H) = (0.86(+0.49, -0.28)) x 10(exp 22) atoms/sq cm for PKS 0438-436, and N(sub H) = (1.45(+1.20, -0.64)) x 10(exp 22) atoms/ sq cm for PKS 2126-158, are implied, assuming solar abundances. The spectrum of S4 0636+680 also suggests the presence of a similarly large absorption column density at the 98% confidence level. This absorption reverses the trend for the most luminous active galactic nuclei (AGN) to have the least X-ray absorption, so a new mechanism is likely to be responsible. Intervening absorption due to damped Lyman(alpha) systems is a plausible cause. We also suggest, as an intrinsic model, that intracluster material, e.g., a cooling flow, around the quasar could account for both the X-ray spectrum and other properties of these quasars. All the quasars are radio-loud and three are gigahertz peaked (two of the three showing absorption). No excess absorption above the Galactic value is seen toward Q0420-388. This quasar has two damped Lyman(alpha) systems at z = 3.08. The limit on the X-ray column density implies a low ionization fraction, N(H I)/N(H) approximately greater than 4 x 10(exp -3) (3 (sigma)), for solar abundances, for these systems, and can set a weak limit on the size of the absorber. In the emitted frame these PSPC spectra cover the band approximately 0.5-10 keV, which has been well observed for low-redshift quasars and AGN. Comparison of high and low-redshift spectra in this emitted band shows no change of mean spectral index greater than Delta alpha(sub E) greater than 0.3 (99% confidence) with either redshift or luminosity, for radio-loud quasars.

Elvis, Martin↗

Frequency domain analysis of errors in cross-correlations of ambient seismic noise

We analyse random errors (variances) in cross-correlations of ambient seismic noise in the frequency domain, which differ from previous time domain methods. Extending previous theoretical results on ensemble averaged cross-spectrum, we estimate confidence interval of stacked cross-spectrum of finite amount of data at each frequency using non-overlapping windows with fixed length. The extended theory also connects amplitude and phase variances with the variance of each complex spectrum value. Analysis of synthetic stationary ambient noise is used to estimate the confidence interval of stacked cross-spectrum obtained with different length of noise data corresponding to different number of evenly spaced windows of the same duration. This method allows estimating Signal/Noise Ratio (SNR) of noise cross-correlation in the frequency domain, without specifying filter bandwidth or signal/noise windows that are needed for time domain SNR estimations. Based on synthetic ambient noise data, we also compare the probability distributions, causal part amplitude and SNR of stacked cross-spectrum function using one-bit normalization or pre-whitening with those obtained without these pre-processing steps. Natural continuous noise records contain both ambient noise and small earthquakes that are inseparable from the noise with the existing pre-processing steps. Using probability distributions of random cross-spectrum values based on the theoretical results provides an effective way to exclude such small earthquakes, and additional data segments (outliers) contaminated by signals of different statistics (e.g. rain, cultural noise), from continuous noise waveforms. This technique is applied to constrain values and uncertainties of amplitude and phase velocity of stacked noise cross-spectrum at different frequencies, using data from southern California at both regional scale (~35 km) and dense linear array (~20 m) across the plate-boundary faults. A block bootstrap resampling method is used to account for temporal correlation of noise cross-spectrum at low frequencies (0.05–0.2 Hz) near the ocean microseismic peaks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

SOFIA 2 model telescope wind tunnel test report

This document outlines the tests performed to make aerodynamic force and torque measurements on the SOFIA wind tunnel model telescope. These tests were performed during the SOFIA 2 wind tunnel test in the 14 ft wind tunnel during the months of June through August 1994. The test was designed to measure the dynamic cross elevation moment acting on the SOFIA model telescope due to aerodynamic loading. The measurements were taken with the telescope mounted in an open cavity in the tail section of the SOFIA model 747. The purpose of the test was to obtain an estimate of the full scale aerodynamic disturbance spectrum, by scaling up the wind tunnel results (taking into account differences in sail area, air density, cavity dimension, etc.). An estimate of the full scale cross elevation moment spectrum was needed to help determine the impact this disturbance would have on the telescope positioning system requirements. A model of the telescope structure, made of a light weight composite material, was mounted in the open cavity of the SOFIA wind tunnel model. This model was mounted via a force balance to the cavity bulkhead. Despite efforts to use a 'stiff' balance, and a lightweight model, the balance/telescope system had a very low resonant frequency (37 Hz) compared to the desired measurement bandwidth (1000 Hz). Due to this mechanical resonance of the balance/telescope system, the balance alone could not provide an accurate measure of applied aerodynamic force at the high frequencies desired. A method of measurement was developed that incorporated accelerometers in addition to the balance signal, to calculate the aerodynamic force.

Keas, Paul↗

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of the F • + H–F Transition-State Region by Photodetachment of [F–H–F] -

The transition-state (TS) region of the simplest heavy-light-heavy type of reaction, F• + H-F F-H + F•, is investigated in this work by a joint experimental and theoretical approach. Photodetaching the bifluride anion, [F…H…F]–, generates a negative ion photoelectron (NIPE) spectrum with three partially resolved bands in the electron binding energy (eBE) range of 5.4 – 7.0 eV. These bands correspond to the transition from the ground state of the anion to the electronic ground state of [F-H-F]• neutral, with associated vibrational excitations. The significant increase of eBE of the bifluride anion, relative to that of F-, reflects a hydrogen bond energy between F- and HF of 46 kcal/mol. Theoretical modeling reveals that the antisymmetric motion of H between the two F atoms, near the TS on the neutral [F-H-F]• surface, dominates the observed three bands, while the F-H-F bending, F—F symmetric stretching modes, and the couplings between them is calculated to account for the breadth of the observed spectrum. From the NIPE spectrum, a lower limit on the activation enthalpy for F• + H-F F-H + F can be estimated to be H‡ = 12 ± 2 kcal/mol, a value below that of H‡ = 14.9 kcal/mol, given by our G4 calculations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Extragalactic CO emission lines in the CMB experiments: A forgotten signal and a foreground

High resolution cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments have allowed us to precisely measure the CMB temperature power spectrum down to very small scales (multipole ℓ ~ 3000). Such measurements at multiple frequencies enable separating the power spectrum of the primary CMB anisotropies with the power spectrum of other signals like CMB lensing, thermal and kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effects (tSZ and kSZ), and cosmic infrared background (CIB). Here, in this paper, we explore another signal of interest at these frequencies that should be present in the CMB maps: extragalactic CO molecular rotational line emissions, which are the most widely used tracers of molecular gas in the line intensity mapping experiments. Using the SIDES simulations adopted for top hat bandpasses at 150 and 220 GHz, we show that the cross-correlation of the CIB with CO lines has a contribution similar to the CIB-tSZ correlation and the kSZ power, thereby contributing a non-negligible amount to the total power at these scales. This signal, therefore, may significantly impact the recently reported ≥3σ detection of the kSZ power spectrum from the South Pole Telescope collaboration, as the contribution of the CO lines is not considered in such analyses. Our results also provide a new way of measuring the CO power spectrum in cross-correlation with the CIB. Finally, these results show that the CO emissions present in the CMB maps will have to be accounted for in all the CMB auto-power spectrum and cross-correlation studies involving a large-scale structure tracer.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The effect of wave breaking on wave spectrum in water of finite depth

An approximate method is devised to compute the energy-containing portion of the spectrum of waves in water of finite depth, taking into account the effect of wave breaking. It is assumed that there exists a linear and Gaussian ideal wave train whose spectrum is first calculated using the wave energy flux balance equation without considering wave breaking. The Miche wave-breaking criterion for waves in water of finite depth is then applied to limit the wave elevation and establish an expression for the breaking wave elevation in terms of the elevation and elevation's second time derivative of the ideal waves. Simple expressions for the mean value, the mean square value, and the spectrum of the breaking waves are then obtained, and numerical results are presented graphically.

Tung, C. C.↗

Reacceleration of Galactic Cosmic Rays beyond the Knee at the Termination Shock of a Cosmic-Ray-driven Galactic Wind

The origin of cosmic rays (CRs) above the knee in the spectrum is an unsolved problem. We present a wind model in which interstellar gas flows along a nonrotating, expanding flux tube with a changing speed and cross-sectional area. CRs from Galactic sources, such as supernova remnants, which are coupled to the plasma via Alfvén waves, provide the main pressure source for driving this outflow. These CRs are then subject to diffusive shock reacceleration at the Galactic wind termination shock, which is located at a distance ~200 kpc. Some of the highest-energy reaccelerated particles propagate upstream against the wind and can contribute to the petaelectronvolt to exaelectronvolt range of the spectrum. We analyze the conditions under which efficient reacceleration can occur and find that rigidities ~10–40 PV can be obtained and that the termination shock may account for between 10% and 50% of the proton spectrum measured in IceCube/IceTop experiment. In our model, the termination shock is unable to fully explain the CR spectrum in the petaelectronvolt to exaelectronvolt range. The highest-energy particles that escape downstream from our termination shock, and similar shocks surrounding most galaxies, can be further accelerated by intergalactic shock fronts.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Theoretical Interpretation of Pass 8 Fermi -LAT e {sup +} + e {sup −} Data

The flux of positrons and electrons ( e {sup +} + e {sup −}) has been measured by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) in the energy range between 7 GeV and 2 TeV. We discuss a number of interpretations of Pass 8 Fermi -LAT e {sup +} + e {sup −} spectrum, combining electron and positron emission from supernova remnants (SNRs) and pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), or produced by the collision of cosmic rays (CRs) with the interstellar medium. We find that the Fermi -LAT spectrum is compatible with the sum of electrons from a smooth SNR population, positrons from cataloged PWNe, and a secondary component. If we include in our analysis constraints from the AMS-02 positron spectrum, we obtain a slightly worse fit to the e {sup +} + e {sup −} Fermi -LAT spectrum, depending on the propagation model. As an additional scenario, we replace the smooth SNR component within 0.7 kpc with the individual sources found in Green’s catalog of Galactic SNRs. We find that separate consideration of far and near sources helps to reproduce the e {sup +} + e {sup −} Fermi -LAT spectrum. However, we show that the fit degrades when the radio constraints on the positron emission from Vela SNR (which is the main contributor at high energies) are taken into account. We find that a break in the power-law injection spectrum at about 100 GeV can also reproduce the measured e {sup +} + e {sup −} spectrum and, among the CR propagation models that we consider, no reasonable break of the power-law dependence of the diffusion coefficient can modify the electron flux enough to reproduce the observed shape.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Compton-backscattered annihilation radiation from the Galactic Center region

On 1989 May 22, the High Energy X-ray and Gamma-ray Observatory for Nuclear Emissions, a balloon-borne high-resolution germanium spectrometer with an 18-deg FOV, observed the Galactic Center (GC) from 25 to 2500 keV. The GC photon spectrum is obtained from the count spectrum by a model-independent method which accounts for the effects of passive material in the instrument and scattering in the atmosphere. Besides a positron annihilation line with a flux of (10.0 +/- 2.4) x 10 exp -4 photons/sq cm s and a full width at half-maximum (FWHM) of (2.9 + 1.0, -1.1) keV, the spectrum shows a peak centered at (163.7 +/- 3.4) keV with a flux of (1.55 +/- 0.47) x 10 exp -3 photons/sq cm s and a FWHM of (24.4 +/- 9.2) keV. The energy range 450-507 keV shows no positronium continuum associated with the annihilation line, with a 2-sigma upper limit of 0.90 on the positronium fraction. The 164 keV feature is interpreted as Compton backscatter of broadened and redshifted annihilation radiation, possibly from the source 1E 1740.7-2942.

Smith, D. M.↗

Ly-alpha clouds - Isolated structures in cold dark matter cosmogony?

A filter designed to study isolated density fluctuations is introduced and used to identify Ly-alpha cloud candidates in a biased CDM model. It is found that the number density of cloud candidates at z = 2.5 is too small to account for the observed number of lines. If Ly-alpha clouds have their origins in primordial density fluctuations, the CDM power spectrum does not have sufficient power on subgalactic scales to account for the observed structures.

Babul, Arif↗

Reconstructing Solar Particle Event Spectra from Absorbed Dose Measurements

The space radiation environment is unlike anything encountered on Earth. It is dominated by heavy charged particles consisting of highly charged nuclei with atomic numbers ranging from 1 to 94 with a broad spectrum of kinetic energies. The three primary sources of radiation in space are trapped belts, galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), and solar particle events (SPEs). The trapped belts are only of concern near bodies with significant magnetic fields and GCR flux spectra are relatively well-predicted using models that account for solar modulation of the local interstellar spectrum. SPEs, which consist primarily of protons, are difficult to predict in terms of occurrence, duration, intensity, and energy spectrum. SPE intensity and energy spectrum are critical for understanding radiation exposure-related health effects for astronauts in space. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) relies on data from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series to characterize intensities and energy spectra of SPEs near Earth. However, these data are not applicable for spacecraft in other regions of the solar system. To understand the radiation environment for astronauts embarking on travel beyond Earth orbit, NASA is developing the Hybrid Electronic Radiation Assessor (HERA), a distributed dosimetry system that employs a solid-state silicon sensor coupled with the Timepix readout chip. The pixelated nature of the detector permits detailed analyses of charged particle tracks which can then be used to characterize the fluence spectrum at the location of the detector. Despite the unprecedented level of detail regarding the radiation environment provided by these detectors, knowledge of the fluence spectrum at all locations within the vehicle, specifically inside of astronauts, is desired to fully characterize the associated risk of harmful health effects. Radiation transport of the external radiation environment, considering the shielding provided by the vehicle, other objects, and even astronauts, is performed to obtain this information. Thus, there is clearly a need to define the external radiation environment using measurements performed within the vehicle. The number of detectors that may be flown as a part of HERA is limited by logistics, including data, power, and mass restrictions. The current configuration for crewed flight consists of six detectors at various locations with in the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV). It follows that an external proton fluence spectrum can be characterized with at most six energy bins with traditional matrix inversion techniques. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether it is possible to reconstruct SPE spectra with greater resolution from absorbed dose measurements and knowledge of the response of individual detectors using linear programming.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Sunspot time series - Spectrum from square law modulation of the Hale cycle

The spectrum of the sunspot index can be qualitatively accounted for by a very simple time series model which the Hale 22 year cycle dominates; the series is amplitude modulated at the 90 year Gleissberg period with an index of 25%. The square of the modulated Hale cycle reproduces all of the spectral lines of the Zurich sunspot index spectrum, provided that a small offset is included in the Hale carrier. Without this, evidence of the 22 year periodicity disappears. The squaring explains the dominance of the 11 year cycle which is an artifact of the modulation as is the 45 year line. The offset suggests a small relict magnetic field in the sun's core. Lastly Gilliland (1981) finds a radial eigenmode in the sun with period of 76 + or - 8 years suggestive of a physical basis for the Gleissberg modulation.

Sonett, C. P.↗

Intensity and pressure dependence of resonance fluorescence of OH induced by a tunable UV laser

The intensity and pressure dependence of the fluorescence spectrum of OH in the presence of N2 and H2O molecules was studied. Saturation of the absorption transition was observed at low pressures, and the corresponding fluorescence signal was found to vary as the square root of the exciting intensity. This observed dependence agreed with the predicted dependence which took into account the presence of laser modes in the spectrum of the exciting radiation. With full laser power incident, a saturation parameter as high as 3 x 10 to the 5th was observed. The fluorescence spectrum was found to peak at 3145 and at 3090 A, with the relative peak intensities dependent upon gas pressures and upon the particular rotational electronic transition used for excitation. It is concluded that vibrational relaxation of the electronically excited OH due to water vapor in the system plays a dominant role in determining the observed fluorescence spectrum.

Killinger, D. K.↗

Is the sunspot spectrum really so complicated?

The spectrum of the sunspot index can be qualitatively accounted for by a very simple model which the Hale 22-yr cycle dominates. The Hale cycle is amplitude modulated at the 90-yr Gleissberg period with an index of 25 percent. The square of the modulated Hale cycle reproduces all of the spectral lines of the Zurich-sunspot-index spectrum, between 90- and 8.9-yr periods, provided that a small offset is included in the Hale carrier. Without this, evidence of the 22-yr periodicity disappears because of the squaring, thus explaining the very strong 11-yr cycle which is an artifact of the modulation, as is the 45-yr line. The offset suggests a small relict magnetic field in the sun's core.

Sonett, C. P.↗

Neutral and ionized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, diffuse interstellar bands and the ultraviolet extinction curve

Neutral naphthalene C10H8, phenanthrene C14H10 and pyrene C16H10 absorb strongly in the ultraviolet region and may contribute to the extinction curve. High abundances are required to produce detectable structures. The cations of these polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) absorb in the visible C10H8(+) has 13 discrete absorption bands which fall between 6800 and 4500 A. The strongest band at 6741 A falls close to the weak 6742 A diffuse interstellar band (DIB). Five other weaker bands also match DIBs. The possibility that C10H8(+) is responsible for some of the DIBs can be tested by searching for new DIBs at 6520 and 6151 A, other strong naphthalene cation band positions. If C10H8(+) is indeed responsible for the 6742 A feature, it accounts for 0.3% of the cosmic carbon. The spectrum of C16H10(+) is dominated by a strong band at 4435 A in an Ar matrix and 4395 A in Ne, wavelengths which fall very close to the strongest DIB at 4430 A. If C16H10(+) or a closely related pyrene-like ion, is indeed responsible for the 4430 A feature, it accounts for 0.2% of the cosmic carbon. An intense, very broad UV-to-visible continuum is reported which is associated with both ions and could explain how PAHs convert interstellar UV and visible radiation into IR radiation.

Salama, Farid↗

TH-C-19A-11: Toward An Optimized Multi-Point Scintillation Detector

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to characterize a 2-points mPSDs' optical chain using a spectral analysis to help selecting the optimal components for the detector. Methods: Twenty different 2-points mPSD combinations were built using 4 plastic scintillators (BCF10, BCF12, BCF60, BC430; St-Gobain) and quantum dots (QDs). The scintillator is said to be proximal when near the photodetector, and distal otherwise. A 15m optical fiber (ESKA GH-4001) was coupled to the scintillating component and connected to a spectrometer (Shamrock, Andor and QEPro, OceanOptics). These scintillation components were irradiated at 125kVp; a spectrum for each scintillator was obtained by irradiation of individual scintillator and shielding the second component, thus talking into account light propagation in all components and interfaces. The combined total spectrum was also acquired and involved simultaneous irradiation of the two scintillators for each possible combination. The shape and intensity were characterized. Results: QDs in proximal position absorb almost all the light signal from distal plastic scintillators and emit in its own emission wavelength, with 100% of the signal in the QD range (625–700nm) for the combination BCF12/QD. However, discrimination is possible when QD is in distal position in combination with blue scintillators, total signal being 73% in the blue range (400-550nm) and 27% in QD range. Similar results are obtained with the orange scintillator (BC430). For optimal signal intensity, BCF12 should always be in proximal position, e.g. having 50% more intensity when coupled with BCF60 in distal position (BCF12/BCF60) compared to the BCF60/BCF12 combination. Conclusion: Different combinations of plastic scintillators and QD were built and their emission spectra were studied. We established a preferential order for the scintillating components in the context of an optimized 2-points mPSD. In short, the components with higher wavelength emission spectrum should be distal and lower wavelength in the proximal position.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗