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At least 109 records · Page 6

Exploring the overabundance of ULXs in metal- and dust-poor local Lyman break analogs

We have studied high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) populations within two low-metallicity, starburst galaxies, Haro 11 and VV 114. These galaxies serve as analogs to high-redshift (z>2) Lyman break galaxies and, within the larger sample of Lyman break analogs (LBAs), they are sufficiently nearby (<87 Mpc) to be spatially resolved by Chandra. Previous studies of the X-ray emission in LBAs have found that the 2–10 keV luminosity per star formation rate (SFR) in these galaxies is elevated, potentially because of their low metallicities (12+log[O/H]=8.3--8.4). Theoretically, the progenitors of XRBs forming in lower metallicity environments lose less mass from stellar winds over their lifetimes, producing more massive compact objects (i.e., neutron stars and black holes), and thus resulting in more numerous and luminous HMXBs per SFR. In this paper, we have performed an in-depth study of the only two LBAs that have spatially resolved 2–10 keV emission with Chandra to present the bright end of the X-ray luminosity distribution of HMXBs (L{sub X} ≳ 10{sup 39} erg s{sup −1}; ultraluminous X-ray sources, ULXs) in these low-metallicity galaxies, based on eight detected ULXs. Compared with the star-forming galaxy X-ray luminosity function (XLF) presented by Mineo et al., Haro 11 and VV 114 host ≈4 times more L{sub X} > 10{sup 40} erg s{sup −1} sources than expected given their SFRs. We simulate the effects of source blending from crowded lower-luminosity HMXBs using the star-forming galaxy XLF and then vary the XLF normalizations and bright-end slopes until we reproduce the observed point source luminosity distributions. We find that these LBAs have a shallower bright-end slope (γ{sub 2}=1.90) than the standard XLF (γ{sub 2}=2.73). If we conservatively assume that the brightest X-ray source from each galaxy is powered by an accreting supermassive black hole rather than an HMXB and eliminate these sources from consideration, the luminosity distribution becomes poorly constrained but does appear to be consistent with a standard XLF.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Exploring the Overabundance of ULXs in Metal- and Dust-Poor Local Lyman Break Analogs

We have studied high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) populations within two low-metallicity, starburst galaxies, Haro 11 and VV 114. These galaxies serve as analogs to high-redshift (z greater than 2) Lyman break galaxies and, within the larger sample of Lyman break analogs (LBAs), they are sufficiently nearby (less than 87 Mpc) to be spatially resolved by Chandra. Previous studies of the X-ray emission in LBAs have found that the 2-10 keV luminosity per star formation rate (SFR) in these galaxies is elevated, potentially because of their low metallicities (12 + log[O/H] = 8.3-8.4). Theoretically, the progenitors of XRBs forming in lower metallicity environments lose less mass from stellar winds over their lifetimes, producing more massive compact objects (i.e., neutron stars and black holes), and thus resulting in more numerous and luminous HMXBs per SFR. In this paper, we have performed an in-depth study of the only two LBAs that have spatially resolved 2-10 keV emission with Chandra to present the bright end of the X-ray luminosity distribution of HMXBs (L(sub X) approximately greater than 10(exp 39) erg s(exp −1); ultraluminous X-ray sources, ULXs) in these low-metallicity galaxies, based on eight detected ULXs. Compared with the star-forming galaxy X-ray luminosity function (XLF) presented by Mineo et al., Haro 11 and VV 114 host approximately equal to 4 times more L(sub X) greater than 10(exp 40) erg s(exp −1) sources than expected given their SFRs. We simulate the effects of source blending from crowded lower-luminosity HMXBs using the star-forming galaxy XLF and then vary the XLF normalizations and bright-end slopes until we reproduce the observed point source luminosity distributions. We find that these LBAs have a shallower bright-end slope (gamma(sub 2) = 1.90) than the standard XLF (gamma(sub 2) 2.73). If we conservatively assume that the brightest X-ray source from each galaxy is powered by an accreting supermassive black hole rather than an HMXB and eliminate these sources from consideration, the luminosity distribution becomes poorly constrained but does appear to be consistent with a standard XLF.

galaxies: evolution aEuro" galaxies: individual↗

Utah FORGE: Well Data for Student Competition

Well 58-32 (previously labeled MU-ESW1) was drilled near Milford Utah during Phase 2B of the FORGE Project to confirm geothermal reservoir characteristics met requirements for the final FORGE site. Well Accord-1 was drilled decades ago for geothermal exploration purposes. While the conditions encountered in the well were not suitable for developing a conventional hydrothermal system, the information obtained suggested the region may be suitable for an enhanced geothermal system. Geophysical well logs were collected in both wells to obtain useful information regarding there nature of the subsurface materials. For the recent testing of 58-32, the Utah FORGE Project contracted with the well services company Schlumberger to collect the well logs.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Machine learning at the Spallation Neutron Source accelerator and target

We describe the ongoing efforts to apply Machine Learning techniques to improve the performance of our accelerator and target. Specially, we are looking to minimize halo beam losses in the absence of a proper physics model, automatically detect and log anomalies in the target support systems such as cooling, and detect and prevent errant beam pulses in the linac. We also describe the infrastructure we use to acquire and stream data to the GPU cluster for training, our code development cycle, and edge computing for model inference. To minimize halo beam losses, we use a Reinforcement Learning technique tested on a virtual accelerator. The target anomaly detection is trained on archived data using incomplete physics models and is made part of the existing target reporting system. The errant beam prevention analyzes beam current and beam phase waveforms as well as accelerator configuration data to predict errant pulses. We also develop continual learning to adapt to changes in the accelerator.

Accelerator Physics↗

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF A CARBON-ENHANCED VERY METAL-POOR STAR: CD-27 14351

We present, for the first time, an abundance analysis of a very metal-poor carbon-enhanced star CD-27 14351 based on a high-resolution ( R ∼ 48,000) FEROS spectrum. Our abundance analysis performed using local thermodynamic equilibrium model atmospheres shows that the object is a cool star with stellar atmospheric parameters, effective temperature T {sub eff} = 4335 K, surface gravity log g = 0.5, microturbulence ξ = 2.42 km s{sup −1}, and metallicity [Fe/H] = −2.6. The star exhibits high carbon and nitrogen abundances with [C/Fe] = 2.89 and [N/Fe] = 1.89. Overabundances of neutron-capture elements are evident in Ba, La, Ce, and Nd, with estimated [X/Fe] > 1, the largest enhancement being seen in Ce with [Ce/Fe] = 2.63. While the first peak s -process elements Sr and Y are found to be enhanced with respect to Fe, ([Sr/Fe] = 1.73 and [Y/Fe] = 1.91), the third peak s -process element Pb could not be detected in our spectrum at the given resolution. Europium, primarily an r -process element also shows an enhancement with [Eu/Fe] = 1.65. With [Ba/Eu] = 0.12, the object CD-27 14351 satisfies the classification criterion for a CEMP-r/s star. The elemental abundance distributions observed in this star are discussed in light of the chemical abundances observed in other CEMP stars in the literature.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

IDENTIFICATION OF NEODYMIUM IN THE APOGEE H -BAND SPECTRA

We present the detection of 10 lines of singly ionized neodymium (Nd ii, Z = 60) in H -band spectra using observations from the SDSS-III Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) survey. These lines were detected in a metal-poor ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.5), neutron-capture element-enhanced star recently discovered in the APOGEE sample. Using an optical high-resolution spectrum, we derive a Nd abundance for this star using Nd ii lines with precise, laboratory-derived gf values. This optical abundance is used to derive log( gf ) values for the H -band lines. We use these lines to rederive Nd ii abundances for two more metal-rich, s -process enhanced stars observed by APOGEE and find that these lines yield consistent Nd ii abundances, confirming the Nd enhancement of these stars. We explore the region of parameter space in the APOGEE sample over which these lines can be used to measure Nd ii abundances. We find that Nd abundances can be reliably derived for ∼18% of the red giants observed by APOGEE. This will result in ∼50,000 Milky Way stars with Nd ii abundances following the conclusion of APOGEE-2, allowing for studies of neutron-capture element abundance distributions across the entire Milky Way.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

FIRST DETECTION OF KRYPTON AND XENON IN A WHITE DWARF

We report on the first detection of the noble gases krypton (Z = 36) and xenon (54) in a white dwarf. About 20 Kr VI- VII and Xe VI- VII lines were discovered in the ultraviolet spectrum of the hot DO-type white dwarf RE 0503-289. The observations, performed with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, also reveal highly ionized photospheric lines from other trans-iron group elements, namely Ga (31), Ge (32), As (33), Se (34), Mo (42), Sn (50), Te (52), and I (53), from which gallium and molybdenum are new discoveries in white dwarfs, too. For Kr and Xe, we performed an NLTE analysis and derived mass fractions of log Kr = -4.3 {+-} 0.5 and log Xe = -4.2 {+-} 0.6, corresponding to an enrichment by factors of 450 and 3800, respectively, relative to the Sun. The origin of the large overabundances is unclear. We discuss the roles of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis in the precursor star and radiation-driven diffusion. It is possible that diffusion is insignificant and that the observed metal abundances constrain the evolutionary history of the star. Its hydrogen deficiency may be the consequence of a late helium-shell flash or a binary white dwarf merger.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Quantum critical fluctuations in the heavy fermion compound Ce(Ni 0.935 Pd 0.065 ) 2 Ge 2

Electric resistivity, specific heat, magnetic susceptibility, and inelastic neutron scattering experi- ments were performed on a single crystal of the heavy fermion compound Ce(Ni 0.935 Pd 0.065 ) 2 Ge 2 in order to study the spin fluctuations near an antiferromagnetic (AF) quantum critical point (QCP). The resistivity and the specific heat coefficient for T ≤ 1 K exhibit the power law behavior expected for a 3D itinerant AF QCP (ρ(T) ~ T 3/2 and γ(T) ~ γ 0 - bT 1/2 ). However, for 2 ≤ T ≤ 10 K, the susceptibility and specific heat vary as log T and the resistivity varies linearly with temperature. Furthermore, despite the fact that the resistivity and specific heat exhibit the non-Fermi liquid behavior expected at a QCP, the correlation length, correlation time, and staggered susceptibility of the spin fluctuations remain finite at low temperature. We suggest that these deviations from the divergent behavior expected for a QCP may result from alloy disorder.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Utah FORGE: Well 52-21 Logs and Data: Roosevelt Hot Spring Area

This is a compilation of logs and data from Well 52-21 in the Roosevelt Hot Springs area in Utah. This well is also in the Utah FORGE study area. The file is in a compressed .zip format and there is a data inventory table (Excel spreadsheet) in the root folder that is a guide to the data that is accessible in subfolders.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

X-RAY OBSERVATIONS OF DISRUPTED RECYCLED PULSARS: NO REFUGE FOR ORPHANED CENTRAL COMPACT OBJECTS

We present a Chandra X-ray survey of the disrupted recycled pulsars (DRPs), isolated radio pulsars with P > 20 ms and B{sub s} < 3 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} G. These observations were motivated as a search for the immediate descendants of the Almost-Equal-To 10 central compact objects (CCOs) in supernova remnants (SNRs), 3 of which have similar timing and magnetic properties as the DRPs, but are bright, thermal X-ray sources consistent with minimal neutron star (NS) cooling curves. Since none of the DPRs were detected in this survey, there is no evidence that they are ''orphaned'' CCOs, NSs whose SNRs has dissipated. Upper limits on their thermal X-ray luminosities are in the range of log L{sub x} [erg s{sup -1}] = 31.8-32.8, which implies cooling ages >10{sup 4}-10{sup 5} yr, roughly 10 times the ages of the Almost-Equal-To 10 known CCOs in a similar volume of the Galaxy. The order of a hundred CCO descendants that could be detected by this method are thus either intrinsically radio quiet or occupy a different region of (P, B{sub s} ) parameter space from the DRPs. This motivates a new X-ray search for orphaned CCOs among radio pulsars with larger B-fields, which could verify the theory that their fields are buried by the fall-back of supernova ejecta, but quickly regrow to join the normal pulsar population.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

First Detection of Krypton and Xenon in a White Dwarf

We report on the first detection of the noble gases krypton (Z = 36) and xenon (54) in a white dwarf. About 20 KrVI-VII and Xe VI-VII lines were discovered in the ultraviolet spectrum of the hot DO-type white dwarf RE 0503-289. The observations, performed with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer, also reveal highly ionized photospheric lines from other trans-iron group elements, namely Ga (31), Ge (32), As (33), Se (34), Mo (42), Sn (50), Te (52), and I (53), from which gallium and molybdenum are new discoveries in white dwarfs, too. For Kr and Xe, we performed an NLTE analysis and derived mass fractions of log Kr = -4.3 plus or minus 0.5 and log Xe = -4.2 plus or minus 0.6, corresponding to an enrichment by factors of 450 and 3800, respectively, relative to the Sun. The origin of the large overabundances is unclear. We discuss the roles of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis in the-precursor star and radiation-driven diffusion. It is possible that diffusion is insignificant and thaI the observed metal abundances constrain the evolutionary history of the star. Its hydrogen deficiency may be the consequence of a late helium-shell nash or a binary white dwarf merger.

Werner, Klaus↗

Integrating Experiments and Well Logs to Predict Caney Shale Static Mechanical Properties During Production with Supervised Machine Learning

Caney shale is one of the emerging oil reservoirs in Oklahoma. Understanding the impact of effective stress on its mechanical properties is critical for predicting hydraulic fracture geometry and overall hydrocarbon production. The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of effective stress on the dynamic Young’s modulus using ultrasonic velocity measurements for Caney shale samples. A triaxial cell was utilized to measure ultrasonic (P-wave and S-wave) velocities for ten downhole Caney shale samples under various effective stresses to indirectly assess the impact of pore pressure change. The dynamic Young’s moduli estimated from these measurements were integrated with available conventional well logs (excluding sonic logs) and triaxial test results from Benge et al. (2021) to predict the static Young’s modulus using Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models. The results showed that the estimated dynamic Young’s moduli from ultrasonic measurements were higher than the corresponding static Young’s modulus of cores from the same vertical well at similar depths. With increasing effective stress, the dynamic Young’s modulus increased for all samples. The estimated dynamic-to-static correction factor tended to be higher in zones of high neutron porosity (PHIN) and low density compared to other zones. Finally, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) for RF and XGBoost models identified depth, gamma ray (GR), and PHIN as key features for predicting the static Young’s modulus. This study enhances our understanding of the dynamic and static Young’s moduli for the Caney shale interval, as a function of effective stress and conventional well logs. The findings from this study can improve predictions of production throughout the well's lifespan by offering insights into the mechanical property degradation resulting from pore pressure depletion.

Kholy, Sherif M.↗

Hubble Space Telescope FOS spectroscopy of the ultrashort-period dwarf nova WZ Sagittae: The underlying degenerate

Two consecutive Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) spectra of the exposed white dwarf in the ultrashort-period, high-amplitude, dwarf nova WZ Sge, reveal a rich absorption line spectrum of neutron carbon and ionized metals, the Stark-broadened Lyman-alpha absorption wing, the H2 quasi-molecular Lyman-alpha 'satellite' absorption line, and a double-peaked C IV emission line which is variable with orbital phase. A synthetic spectral analysis of the white dwarf yields T(sub eff) = 14,900 K +/- 250 K, log g = 8.0. In order to fit the strongest C I absorption lines and account for the weakness of the silicon absorption lines, the abundance of carbon in the photosphere must be approximately 0.5 solar, silicon abundance is 5 x 10(exp -3) solar, with all other metal species appearing to be 0.1-0.001 times solar. The H2 quasi-molecular absorption is fitted very successfully. The photospheric metals have diffusion timescales of fractions of a year, and thus they must have been accreted long after the 1978 December outburst. The source of the most abundance metal, carbon, is considered. If the time-averaged accretion rate during quiescence is low enough for diffusive equilibrium to prevail, then the equilibrium accretion rate pf neutron carbon is 7 x 10(exp -16) solar mass/yr. A convective dredge-up origin for the concentration of carbon is extremely unlikely, given that the white dwarf atmosphere is H-rich while in single degenerates showing carbon and hydrogen, the C and H are trace elements in a helium background. Additional implications are explored.

Sion, Edward M.↗

18 Sco: A solar twin rich in refractory and neutron-capture elements. Implications for chemical tagging

We study with unprecedented detail the chemical composition and stellar parameters of the solar twin 18 Sco in a strictly differential sense relative to the Sun. Our study is mainly based on high-resolution (R ∼ 110,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (800-1,000) Very Large Telescope UVES spectra, which allow us to achieve a precision of about 0.005 dex in differential abundances. The effective temperature and surface gravity of 18 Sco are T{sub eff} = 5823 ± 6 K and log g = 4.45 ± 0.02 dex, i.e., 18 Sco is 46 ± 6 K hotter than the Sun and log g is 0.01 ± 0.02 dex higher. Its metallicity is [Fe/H] = 0.054 ± 0.005 dex, and its microturbulence velocity is +0.02 ± 0.01 km s{sup –1} higher than solar. Our precise stellar parameters and differential isochrone analysis show that 18 Sco has a mass of 1.04 ± 0.02 M{sub ☉} and that it is ∼1.6 Gyr younger than the Sun. We use precise High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) radial velocities to search for planets, but none are detected. The chemical abundance pattern of 18 Sco displays a clear trend with condensation temperature, thus showing higher abundances of refractories in 18 Sco than in the Sun. Intriguingly, there are enhancements in the neutron-capture elements relative to the Sun. Despite the small element-to-element abundance differences among nearby n-capture elements (∼0.02 dex), we successfully reproduce the r-process pattern in the Solar System. This is independent evidence for the universality of the r process. Our results have important implications for chemical tagging in our Galaxy and nucleosynthesis in general.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Anomalous breakdown of Bloch's rule in the Mott-Hubbard insulator MnTe 2

Here, we reinvestigate the pressure dependence of the crystal structure and antiferromagnetic phase transition in MnTe 2 using the rigorous and reliable tool of high-pressure neutron powder diffraction. First-principles density functional theory calculations are carried out in order to gain microscopic insight. The measured N eel temperature of MnTe 2 is found to show unusually large pressure dependence of 12 K GPa –1 . This gives rise to a large violation of Bloch s rule given by α = d log T N /d log V = –10/3 ≈ –3.3, to an value of –6.0 ± 0.1 for MnTe 2 . The ab initio calculation of the electronic structure and the magnetic exchange interactions in MnTe 2 for the measured crystal structures at different pressures indicates the pressure dependence of the Neel temperature α is –5.61, in close agreement with experimental findings. The microscopic origin of this behavior turns out to be dictated by the distance dependence of the cation-anion hopping interaction strength.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

X-ray counterpart of gravitational waves due to binary neutron star mergers: light curves, luminosity function, and event rate density

Zhang proposed a type of GRB-less X-ray transient associated with double neutron star (NS–NS) mergers under the conjecture of a rapidly spinning magnetar merger product with the line of sight off the short gamma-ray burst (GRB) jet. We investigate possible light curves of these transients by considering different observers’ viewing angles. We perform Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the peak luminosity function (LF) and event rate density of these X-ray transients. By considering that a fraction of massive neutron stars may be supra-massive and later collapse into black holes after spinning down, we investigate how the predicted LF depends on the equation of state (EoS) of the central object and the geometry of the system. In general, the LF can be fit by two log-normal distributions peaking around 10{sup 46.4} and 10{sup 49.6} erg s{sup −1}, corresponding to the trapped and free zones, respectively. For the majority of the EoS models, the current non-detection is consistent with having a free zone solid angle, at most a few times the solid angle of the short GRB jet. The event rate density of these X-ray transients is around a few tens of Gpc{sup −3} yr{sup −1} for luminosity above 10{sup 45} erg s{sup −1}. We predict that future X-ray telescopes (such as Einstein Probe) with sensitivity ∼10{sup −11} erg s{sup −1} cm{sup −2} would detect as many as several tens of such transients per year per steradian. Within 200 Mpc, the aLIGO average range for NS–NS mergers, the estimated event rate of these transients is about 1 transient per year all sky.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

IRAS observations of binaries with compact objects

The infrared emission data, obtained on 260 binary systems by the all-sky IRAS survey in wavelengths between 12 and 100 microns, are reported. Of all the 260 sources, which contained compact objects including white dwarfs, neutron stars, or possibly black holes, only 32 contained detectable IR radiation. The X-ray emitting Be-type stars (gamma-Cas and X Per) were found to have their energy flux proportional to frequency in the range of the log nu values of 12.7-14.7. However, the GS304-1 flux distribution is unique, in that its flux rises by several orders of magnitude as the wavelength changes from 4000 A to 60 microns. A static dust cloud was detected, with a radius of about 1 AU, which has formed around the classical nova RR Pic since its 1925 eruption. The post-eruption far-IR light curve of a classical nova provides strong evidence for IR emissions from both dust grains formed during the eruption and dust grains existing from previous eruptions.

Schaefer, B. E.↗

HZ Her: Stellar radius from X-ray eclipse observations, evolutionary state, and a new distance

Observations of HZ Her/Her X-1 by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) covering high state eclipses of the neutron star are analyzed here. Models of the eclipse are used to measure the radius and atmospheric scale height of HZ Her, the stellar companion to the neutron star. The radius is 2.58-3.01 × 10{sup 11} cm, depending on system inclination and mass ratio (q), with an accuracy of ∼1 part in 1000 for given inclination and q. We fit Kurucz model stellar atmosphere models to archival optical observations. The resulting effective temperature (T {sub eff}) of the unheated face of HZ Her is determined to be in the 2σ range of 7720 K-7865 K, and metallicity (log (Z/Z {sub ☉})) in the range of –0.27 to +.03. The model atmosphere surface flux and new radius yield a new distance to HZ Her/Her X-1, depending on system inclination and q: a best-fit value of 6.1 kpc with upper and lower limits of 5.7 kpc and 7.0 kpc. We calculate stellar evolution models for the range of allowed masses (from orbital parameters) and allowed metallicities (from optical spectrum fits). The stellar models agree with T {sub eff} and the radius of HZ Her for two narrow ranges of mass: 2.15-2.20 M {sub ☉} and 2.35-2.45 M {sub ☉}. This lower mass range implies a low neutron star mass (1.3 M {sub ☉}), whereas the higher mass range implies a high neutron star mass (1.5-1.7 M {sub ☉}).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗