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An approach is presented to modify the work function of solution-processed sol-gel derived zinc oxide (ZnO) over an exceptionally wide range of more than 2.3 eV. This approach relies on the formation of dense and homogeneous self-assembled monolayers based on phosphonic acids with different dipole moments. This allows us to apply ZnO as charge selective bottom electrodes in either regular or inverted solar cell structures, using poly(3-hexylthiophene): phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester as the active layer. These devices compete with or even surpass the performance of the reference on indium tin oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate. Our findings highlight the potential of properly modified ZnO as electron or hole extracting electrodes in hybrid optoelectronic devices. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
The structure of bulk liquid water was recently probed by x-ray scattering below the temperature limit of homogeneous nucleation (T-H) of similar to 232 K [J. A. Sellberg et al., Nature 510, 381-384 (2014)]. Here, we utilize a similar approach to study the structure of bulk liquid water below T-H using oxygen K-edge x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). Based on previous XES experiments [T. Tokushima et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 460, 387-400 (2008)] at higher temperatures, we expected the ratio of the 1b(1)' and 1b(1)" peaks associated with the lone-pair orbital in water to change strongly upon deep supercooling as the coordination of the hydrogen (H-) bonds becomes tetrahedral. In contrast, we observed only minor changes in the lone-pair spectral region, challenging an interpretation in terms of two interconverting species. A number of alternative hypotheses to explain the results are put forward and discussed. Although the spectra can be explained by various contributions from these hypotheses, we here emphasize the interpretation that the line shape of each component changes dramatically when approaching lower temperatures, where, in particular, the peak assigned to the proposed disordered component would become more symmetrical as vibrational interference becomes more important. (C) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.
In this review I briefly summarize our knowledge of the X-ray emission from single WN, WC, and WO stars. These stars have relatively modest X-ray luminosities, typically not exceeding 1L⊙. The analysis of X-ray spectra usually reveals thermal plasma with temperatures reaching a few x10 MK. X-ray variability is detected in some WN stars. At present we don't fully understand how X-ray radiation in produced in WR stars, albeit there are some promising research avenues, such as the presence of CIRs in the winds of some stars. To fully understand WR stars we need to unravel mechanisms of X-ray production in their winds.
Using a code that employs a self-consistent method for computing the effects of photoionization on circumstellar gas dynamics, we model the formation of wind-driven nebulae around massive Wolf-Rayet (W-R) stars. Our algorithm incorporates a simplified model of the photo-ionization source, computes the fractional ionization of hydrogen due to the photoionizing flux and recombination, and determines self-consistently the energy balance due to ionization, photo-heating and radiative cooling. We take into account changes in stellar properties and mass-loss over the star's evolution. Our multi-dimensional simulations clearly reveal the presence of strong ionization front instabilities. Using various X-ray emission models, and abundances consistent with those derived for W-R nebulae, we compute the X-ray flux and spectra from our wind bubble models. We show the evolution of the X-ray spectral features with time over the evolution of the star, taking the absorption of the X-rays by the ionized bubble into account. Our simulated X-ray spectra compare reasonably well with observed spectra of Wolf-Rayet bubbles. They suggest that X-ray nebulae around massive stars may not be easily detectable, consistent with observations.∗
WR Time Series Photometry
(2015)
We take a comprehensive look at Wolf Rayet photometric variability using the MOST satellite. This sample, consisting of 6 WR stars and 6 WC stars defies all typical photometric analysis. We do, however, confirm the presence of unusual periodic signals resembling sawtooth waves which are present in 11 out of 12 stars in this sample.
For some years now, spectroscopic measurements of massive stars in the amateur domain have been fulfilling professional requirements. Various groups in the northern and southern hemispheres have been established, running successful professional-amateur (ProAm) collaborative campaigns, e.g., on WR, O and B type stars. Today high quality data (echelle and long-slit) are regularly delivered and corresponding results published. Night-to-night long-term observations over months to years open a new opportunity for massive-star research. We introduce recent and ongoing sample campaigns (e.g. ∊ Aur, WR 134, ζ Pup), show respective results and highlight the vast amount of data collected in various data bases. Ultimately it is in the time-dependent domain where amateurs can shine most.
Context. Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars have a severe impact on their environments owing to their strong ionizing radiation fields and powerful stellar winds. Since these winds are considered to be driven by radiation pressure, it is theoretically expected that the degree of the wind mass-loss depends on the initial metallicity of WR stars.
Aims. Following our comprehensive studies of WR stars in the Milky Way, M31, and the LMC, we derive stellar parameters and mass-loss rates for all seven putatively single WN stars known in the SMC. Based on these data, we discuss the impact of a low-metallicity environment on the mass loss and evolution of WR stars.
Methods. The quantitative analysis of the WN stars is performed with the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) model atmosphere code. The physical properties of our program stars are obtained from fitting synthetic spectra to multi-band observations.
Results. In all SMC WN stars, a considerable surface hydrogen abundance is detectable. The majority of these objects have stellar temperatures exceeding 75 kK, while their luminosities range from 10(5.5) to 10(6.1) L-circle dot. The WN stars in the SMC exhibit on average lower mass-loss rates and weaker winds than their counterparts in the Milky Way, M31, and the LMC.
Conclusions. By comparing the mass-loss rates derived for WN stars in different Local Group galaxies, we conclude that a clear dependence of the wind mass-loss on the initial metallicity is evident, supporting the current paradigm that WR winds are driven by radiation. A metallicity effect on the evolution of massive stars is obvious from the HRD positions of the SMC WN stars at high temperatures and high luminosities. Standard evolution tracks are not able to reproduce these parameters and the observed surface hydrogen abundances. Homogeneous evolution might provide a better explanation for their evolutionary past.
In this review, I discuss the suitability of massive star progenitors, evolved in isolation or in interacting binaries, for the production of observed supernovae (SNe) IIb, Ib, Ic. These SN types can be explained through variations in composition. The critical need of non-thermal effects to produce He I lines favours low-mass He-rich ejecta (in which ^56 Ni can be more easily mixed with He) for the production of SNe IIb/Ib, which thus may arise preferentially from moderate-mass donors in interacting binaries. SNe Ic may instead arise from higher mass progenitors, He-poor or not, because their larger CO cores prevent efficient non-thermal excitation of He i lines. However, current single star evolution models tend to produce Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars at death that have a final mass of > 10 M⊙. Single WR star explosion models produce ejecta that are too massive to match the observed light curve widths and rise times of SNe IIb/Ib/Ic, unless their kinetic energy is systematically and far greater than the canonical value of 10^56 erg. Future work is needed to evaluate the energy/mass degeneracy in light curve properties. Alternatively, a greater mass loss during the WR phase, perhaps in the form of eruptions, as evidenced in SNe Ibn, may reduce the final WR mass. If viable, such explosions would nonetheless favour a SN Ic, not a Ib.
Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars, as they are advanced stages of the life of massive stars, provide a good test for various physical processes involved in the modelling of massive stars, such as rotation and mass loss. In this paper, we show the outputs of the latest grids of single massive stars computed with the Geneva stellar evolution code, and compare them with some observations. We present a short discussion on the shortcomings of single stars models and we also briefly discuss the impact of binarity on the WR populations.
Wolf-Rayet Stars
(2015)
Nearly 150 years ago, the French astronomers Charles Wolf and Georges Rayet described stars with very conspicuous spectra that are dominated by bright and broad emission lines. Meanwhile termed Wolf-Rayet Stars after their discoverers, those objects turned out to represent important stages in the life of massive stars.
As the first conference in a long time that was specifically dedicated to Wolf-Rayet stars, an international workshop was held in Potsdam, Germany, from 1.-5. June 2015. About 100 participants, comprising most of the leading experts in the field as well as as many young scientists, gathered for one week of extensive scientific exchange and discussions. Considerable progress has been reported throughout, e.g. on finding such stars, modeling and analyzing their spectra, understanding their evolutionary context, and studying their circumstellar nebulae. While some major questions regarding Wolf-Rayet stars still remain open 150 years after their discovery, it is clear today that these objects are not just interesting stars as such, but also keystones in the evolution of galaxies.
These proceedings summarize the talks and posters presented at the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet workshop. Moreover, they also include the questions, comments, and discussions emerging after each talk, thereby giving a rare overview not only about the research, but also about the current debates and unknowns in the field. The Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) included Alceste Bonanos (Athens), Paul Crowther (Sheffield), John Eldridge (Auckland), Wolf-Rainer Hamann (Potsdam, Chair), John Hillier (Pittsburgh), Claus Leitherer (Baltimore), Philip Massey (Flagstaff), George Meynet (Geneva), Tony Moffat (Montreal), Nicole St-Louis (Montreal), and Dany Vanbeveren (Brussels).
I review our current understanding of the interaction between a Wolf-Rayet star's fast wind and the surrounding medium, and discuss to what extent the predictions of numerical simulations coincide with multiwavelength observations of Wolf-Rayet nebulae. Through a series of examples, I illustrate how changing the input physics affects the results of the numerical simulations. Finally, I discuss how numerical simulations together with multiwavelength observations of these objects allow us to unpick the previous mass-loss history of massive stars.
An overview of the known Wolf-Rayet (WR) population of the Milky Way is presented, including a brief overview of historical catalogues and recent advances based on infrared photometric and spectroscopic observations resulting in the current census of 642 (vl.13 online catalogue). The observed distribution of WR stars is considered with respect to known star clusters, given that ≤20% of WR stars in the disk are located in clusters. WN stars outnumber WC stars at all galactocentric radii, while early-type WC stars are strongly biased against the inner Milky Way. Finally, recent estimates of the global WR population in the Milky Way are reassessed, with 1,200±100 estimated, such that the current census may be 50% complete. A characteristic WR lifetime of 0.25 Myr is inferred for an initial mass threshold of 25 M⊙.
A significant number of the central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe) are hydrogen-deficient, showing a chemical composition of helium, carbon, and oxygen. Most of them exhibit Wolf-Rayet-like emission line spectra, similar to those of the massive WC Pop I stars, and are therefore classified as of spectral type [WC]. In the last years, CSPNe of other Wolf-Rayet spectral subtypes have been identified, namely PB 8, which is of spectral type [WN/C], and IC 4663 and Abell 48, which are of spectral type [WN]. We review spectral analyses of Wolf-Rayet type central stars of different evolutionary stages and discuss the results in the context of stellar evolution. Especially we consider the question of a common evolutionary channel for [WC] stars. The constraints on the formation of [WN] or [WC/N] subtype stars will also be addressed.
The emission-line dominated spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars are formed in expanding layers of their atmosphere, i.e. in their strong stellar wind. Adequate modeling of such spectra has to face a couple of difficulties. Because of the supersonic motion, the radiative transfer is preferably formulated in the co-moving frame. The strong deviations from local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) require to solve the equations of statistical equilibrium for the population numbers, accounting for many hundred atomic energy levels and thousands of line transitions. Moreover, millions of lines from iron-group elements must be taken into account for their blanketing effect. Model atmospheres of the described kind can reproduce the observed WR spectra satisfyingly, and have been widely applied for corresponding spectral analyses.
We study the vertical extent of propeller structures in Saturn's rings (i) by extending the model of Spahn and Sremcevic (Spahn, F., Sremcevic, M. [2000]. Astron. Astrophys., 358, 368-372) to include the vertical direction and (ii) by performing N-body box simulations of a perturbing moonlet embedded into the rings. We find that the gravitational interaction of ring particles with a non-inclined moonlet does not induce considerable vertical excursions of ring particles, but causes a considerable thermal motion in the ring plane. We expect ring particle collisions to partly convert the lateral induced thermal motion into vertical excursions of ring particles in the course of a quasi-thermalization. The N-body box simulations lead to maximal propeller heights of about 0.6-0.8 Hill radii of the embedded perturbing moonlet. Moonlet sizes estimated by this relation are in good agreement with size estimates from radial propeller scalings for the propellers Bleriot and Earhart. For large propellers, the extended hydrodynamical propeller model predicts an exponential propeller height relaxation, confirmed by N-body box simulations of non-self gravitating ring particles. Exponential cooling constants, calculated from the hydrodynamical propeller model agree fairly well with values from fits to the tail of the azimuthal height decay of the N-body box simulations. From exponential cooling constants, determined from shadows cast by the propeller Earhart and imaged by the Cassini spacecraft, we estimate collision frequencies of about 6 collisions per particle per orbit in the propeller gap region and about 11 collisions per particle per orbit in the propeller wake region. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
We present results from VERITAS observations of the BL Lac object PG 1553+113 spanning the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. The time-averaged spectrum, measured between 160 and 560 GeV, is well described by a power law with a spectral index of 4.33 +/- 0.09. The time-averaged integral flux above 200 GeV measured for this period was (1.69 +/- 0.06) x 10(-11) photons cm(-2) s(-1), corresponding to 6.9% of the Crab Nebula flux. We also present the combined gamma-ray spectrum from the Fermi Large Area Telescope and VERITAS covering an energy range from 100 MeV to 560 GeV. The data are well fit by a power law with an exponential cutoff at 101.9 +/- 3.2 GeV. The origin of the cutoff could be intrinsic to PG 1553+113 or be due to the gamma-ray opacity of our universe through pair production off the extragalactic background light (EBL). Given lower limits to the redshift of z > 0.395 based on optical/UV observations of PG 1553+113, the cutoff would be dominated by EBL absorption. Conversely, the small statistical uncertainties of the VERITAS energy spectrum have allowed us to provide a robust upper limit on the redshift of PG 1553+113 of z <= 0.62. A strongly elevated mean flux of (2.50 +/- 0.14) x10(-11) photons cm(-2) s(-1) (10.3% of the Crab Nebula flux) was observed during 2012, with the daily flux reaching as high as (4.44 +/- 0.71) x10(-11) photons cm(-2) s(-1) (18.3% of the Crab Nebula flux) on MJD 56048. The light curve measured during the 2012 observing season is marginally inconsistent with a steady flux, giving a chi(2) probability for a steady flux of 0.03%.
Many chemical reactions in biological cells occur at very low concentrations of constituent molecules. Thus, transcriptional gene-regulation is often controlled by poorly expressed transcription-factors, such as E. coli lac repressor with few tens of copies. Here we study the effects of inherent concentration fluctuations of substrate-molecules on the seminal Michaelis-Menten scheme of biochemical reactions. We present a universal correction to the Michaelis-Menten equation for the reaction-rates. The relevance and validity of this correction for enzymatic reactions and intracellular gene-regulation is demonstrated. Our analytical theory and simulation results confirm that the proposed variance-corrected Michaelis-Menten equation predicts the rate of reactions with remarkable accuracy even in the presence of large non-equilibrium concentration fluctuations. The major advantage of our approach is that it involves only the mean and variance of the substrate-molecule concentration. Our theory is therefore accessible to experiments and not specific to the exact source of the concentration fluctuations.
Many chemical reactions in biological cells occur at very low concentrations of constituent molecules. Thus, transcriptional gene-regulation is often controlled by poorly expressed transcription-factors, such as E.coli lac repressor with few tens of copies. Here we study the effects of inherent concentration fluctuations of substrate-molecules on the seminal Michaelis-Menten scheme of biochemical reactions. We present a universal correction to the Michaelis-Menten equation for the reaction-rates. The relevance and validity of this correction for enzymatic reactions and intracellular gene-regulation is demonstrated. Our analytical theory and simulation results confirm that the proposed variance-corrected Michaelis-Menten equation predicts the rate of reactions with remarkable accuracy even in the presence of large non-equilibrium concentration fluctuations. The major advantage of our approach is that it involves only the mean and variance of the substrate-molecule concentration. Our theory is therefore accessible to experiments and not specific to the exact source of the concentration fluctuations.
Many chemical reactions in biological cells occur at very low concentrations of constituent molecules. Thus, transcriptional gene-regulation is often controlled by poorly expressed transcription-factors, such as E.coli lac repressor with few tens of copies. Here we study the effects of inherent concentration fluctuations of substrate-molecules on the seminal Michaelis-Menten scheme of biochemical reactions. We present a universal correction to the Michaelis-Menten equation for the reaction-rates. The relevance and validity of this correction for enzymatic reactions and intracellular gene-regulation is demonstrated. Our analytical theory and simulation results confirm that the proposed variance-corrected Michaelis-Menten equation predicts the rate of reactions with remarkable accuracy even in the presence of large non-equilibrium concentration fluctuations. The major advantage of our approach is that it involves only the mean and variance of the substrate-molecule concentration. Our theory is therefore accessible to experiments and not specific to the exact source of the concentration fluctuations.
Vacuum space charge induced kinetic energy shifts of O 1s and Ru 3d core levels in femtosecond soft X-ray photoemission spectra (PES) have been studied at a free electron laser (FEL) for an oxygen layer on Ru(0001). We fully reproduced the measurements by simulating the in-vacuum expansion of the photoelectrons and demonstrate the space charge contribution of the high-order harmonics in the FEL beam. Employing the same analysis for 400 nm pump-X-ray probe PES, we can disentangle the delay dependent Ru 3d energy shifts into effects induced by space charge and by lattice heating from the femtosecond pump pulse. (C) 2015 Author(s).
Unprecedented study of the broadband emission of Mrk 421 during flaring activity in March 2010
(2015)
Context. Because of its proximity, Mrk 421 is one of the best sources on which to study the nature of BL Lac objects. Its proximity allows us to characterize its broadband spectral energy distribution (SED).
Aims. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the broadband emission and the temporal evolution of Mrk 421. These mechanisms may also apply to more distant blazars that cannot be studied with the same level of detail.
Methods. A flare occurring in March 2010 was observed for 13 consecutive days (from MJD 55 265 to MJD 55 277) with unprecedented wavelength coverage from radio to very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma-rays with MAGIC, VERITAS, Whipple, Fermi-LAT, MAXI, RXTE, Swift, GASP-WEBT, and several optical and radio telescopes. We modeled the day-scale SEDs with one-zone and two-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) models, investigated the physical parameters, and evaluated whether the observed broadband SED variability can be associated with variations in the relativistic particle population.
Results. The activity of Mrk 421 initially was high and then slowly decreased during the 13-day period. The flux variability was remarkable at the X-ray and VHE bands, but it was minor or not significant at the other bands. The variability in optical polarization was also minor. These observations revealed an almost linear correlation between the X-ray flux at the 2-10 keV band and the VHE gamma-ray flux above 200 GeV, consistent with the gamma-rays being produced by inverse-Compton scattering in the Klein-Nishina regime in the framework of SSC models. The one-zone SSC model can describe the SED of each day for the 13 consecutive days reasonably well, which once more shows the success of this standard theoretical scenario to describe the SEDs of VHE BL Lacs such as Mrk 421. This flaring activity is also very well described by a two-zone SSC model, where one zone is responsible for the quiescent emission, while the other smaller zone, which is spatially separated from the first, contributes to the daily variable emission occurring at X-rays and VHE gamma-rays. The second blob is assumed to have a smaller volume and a narrow electron energy distribution with 3 x 10(4) < gamma < 6 x 10(5), where. is the Lorentz factor of the electrons. Such a two-zone scenario would naturally lead to the correlated variability at the X-ray and VHE bands without variability at the optical/UV band, as well as to shorter timescales for the variability at the X-ray and VHE bands with respect to the variability at the other bands.
Conclusions. Both the one-zone and the two-zone SSC models can describe the daily SEDs via the variation of only four or five model parameters, under the hypothesis that the variability is associated mostly with the underlying particle population. This shows that the particle acceleration and cooling mechanism that produces the radiating particles might be the main mechanism responsible for the broadband SED variations during the flaring episodes in blazars. The two-zone SSC model provides a better agreement with the observed SED at the narrow peaks of the low-and high-energy bumps during the highest activity, although the reported one-zone SSC model could be further improved by varying the parameters related to the emitting region itself (delta, B and R), in addition to the parameters related to the particle population.
In this thesis we utilize resolved stellar populations to improve our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. In the first part we improve a method for metallicity determination of faint old stellar systems, in the second and third part we analyze the individual history of six nearby disk galaxies outside the Local Group.
A New Calibration of the Color Metallicity Relation of Red Giants for HST data:
It is well known, that the color distribution of stars on the the Red Giant Branch (RGB) can be used to determine metallicities of old stellar populations that have only shallow photometry. Based on the largest sample of globular clusters ever used for such studies, we quantify the relation between metallicity and color in the widely used HST ACS filters F606W and F814W.
We use a sample of globular clusters from the ACS Globular Cluster Survey and measure their RGB color at given absolute magnitudes to derive the color-metallicity relation. We find a clear relation between metallicity and RGB color; we investigate the scatter and the uncertainties in this relation and show its limitations. A comparison with isochrones shows reasonably good agreement with BaSTI models, a small offset to Dartmouth models, and a larger offset to Padua models.
Even for the best globular cluster data available, the metallicity of a simple stellar population can be determined from the RGB alone only with an accuracy of 0.3 dex for [M/H]<-1, and 0.15 dex for [M/H]>-1. For mixed populations, as they are observed in external galaxies, the uncertainties will be even larger due to uncertainties in extinction, age, etc. Therefore caution is necessary when interpreting photometric metallicities.
The Structural History of Nearby Low Mass Disk Galaxies:
We study the individual evolution histories of three nearby, low-mass, edge-on galaxies (IC5052, NGC4244, NGC5023).
Using the color magnitude diagrams of resolved stellar populations, we construct star count density maps for populations of different ages and analyze the change of structural parameters with stellar age within each galaxy.
The three galaxies show low vertical heating rates, which are much lower than the heating rate of the Milky Way. This indicates that heating agents, as giant molecular clouds and spiral structure are weak in low mass galaxies.
We do not detect a separate thick disk in any of the three galaxies, even though our observations cover a larger range in equivalent surface brightness than any integrated light study. While scaleheights increase with age, each population can be well described by a single disk. Only two of the galaxies contain a very weak additional component, which we identify as the faint halo. The mass of these faint halos is less than 1% of the mass of the disk.
All populations in the three galaxies exhibit no or only little flaring. While this finding is consistent with previous integrated light studies, it poses strong constraints on galaxy formation models, because most theoretical simulations often find strong flaring due to interactions or radial migration.
Furthermore, we find breaks in the radial profiles of all three galaxies. The radii of these breaks are independent of age, and the break strength is decreasing with age in two of the galaxies (NGC4244 and NGC5023). This is consistent with break formation models, that combine a star formation cutoff with radial migration. The differing behavior of IC5052 can be explained by a recent interaction or minor merger.
The Structural History of Massive Disk Galaxies:
We extend the structural analysis of stellar populations with distinct ages to three massive galaxies, NGC891, NGC4565 and NGC7814. While confusion effects due to the high stellar number densities in their central region, and the prominent dust lanes inhibit an detailed analysis of the radial profiles, we can study their vertical structure.
These massive galaxies also have a slower heating than the Milky Way, comparable to the low mass galaxies. This can be traced back to their already thick young populations and thick layers of their interstellar medium.
We do not find a clear separate thick disk in any of these three galaxies; all populations can be described by a single disk plus a S\'ersic bulge/halo component. In contrast to the low mass galaxies, we cannot rule out the presence of thick disks in the massive galaxies, because of the strong influence of the halo, that might hide the possible contribution of the thick disk to the vertical star count profiles. However, the faintness of the possible thick disks still points to problems in the earlier ubiquitous findings of thick disks in external galaxies.
We define and study in detail utraslow scaled Brownian motion (USBM) characterized by a time dependent diffusion coefficient of the form D(t) similar or equal to 1/t. For unconfined motion the mean squared displacement (MSD) of USBM exhibits an ultraslow, logarithmic growth as function of time, in contrast to the conventional scaled Brownian motion. In a harmonic potential the MSD of USBM does not saturate but asymptotically decays inverse-proportionally to time, reflecting the highly non-stationary character of the process. We show that the process is weakly non-ergodic in the sense that the time averaged MSD does not converge to the regular MSD even at long times, and for unconfined motion combines a linear lag time dependence with a logarithmic term. The weakly non-ergodic behaviour is quantified in terms of the ergodicity breaking parameter. The USBM process is also shown to be ageing: observables of the system depend on the time gap between initiation of the test particle and start of the measurement of its motion. Our analytical results are shown to agree excellently with extensive computer simulations.
We define and study in detail utraslow scaled Brownian motion (USBM) characterized by a time dependent diffusion coefficient of the form . For unconfined motion the mean squared displacement (MSD) of USBM exhibits an ultraslow, logarithmic growth as function of time, in contrast to the conventional scaled Brownian motion. In a harmonic potential the MSD of USBM does not saturate but asymptotically decays inverse-proportionally to time, reflecting the highly non-stationary character of the process. We show that the process is weakly non-ergodic in the sense that the time averaged MSD does not converge to the regular MSD even at long times, and for unconfined motion combines a linear lag time dependence with a logarithmic term. The weakly non-ergodic behaviour is quantified in terms of the ergodicity breaking parameter. The USBM process is also shown to be ageing: observables of the system depend on the time gap between initiation of the test particle and start of the measurement of its motion. Our analytical results are shown to agree excellently with extensive computer simulations.
We define and study in detail utraslow scaled Brownian motion (USBM) characterized by a time dependent diffusion coefficient of the form . For unconfined motion the mean squared displacement (MSD) of USBM exhibits an ultraslow, logarithmic growth as function of time, in contrast to the conventional scaled Brownian motion. In a harmonic potential the MSD of USBM does not saturate but asymptotically decays inverse-proportionally to time, reflecting the highly non-stationary character of the process. We show that the process is weakly non-ergodic in the sense that the time averaged MSD does not converge to the regular MSD even at long times, and for unconfined motion combines a linear lag time dependence with a logarithmic term. The weakly non-ergodic behaviour is quantified in terms of the ergodicity breaking parameter. The USBM process is also shown to be ageing: observables of the system depend on the time gap between initiation of the test particle and start of the measurement of its motion. Our analytical results are shown to agree excellently with extensive computer simulations.
We analyze quasiperiodic partially synchronous states in an ensemble of Stuart-Landau oscillators with global nonlinear coupling. We reveal two types of such dynamics: in the first case the time-averaged frequencies of oscillators and of the mean field differ, while in the second case they are equal, but the motion of oscillators is additionally modulated. We describe transitions from the synchronous state to both types of quasiperiodic dynamics, and a transition between two different quasiperiodic states. We present an example of a bifurcation diagram, where we show the borderlines for all these transitions, as well as domain of bistability.
A flare and fast coronal mass ejection originated between solar active regions NOAA 11514 and 11515 on 2012 July 1 (SOL2012-07-01) in response to flux emergence in front of the leading sunspot of the trailing region 11515. Analyzing the evolution of the photospheric magnetic flux and the coronal structure, we find that the flux emergence triggered the eruption by interaction with overlying flux in a non-standard way. The new flux neither had the opposite orientation nor a location near the polarity inversion line, which are favorable for strong reconnection with the arcade flux under which it emerged. Moreover, its flux content remained significantly smaller than that of the arcade (). However, a loop system rooted in the trailing active region ran in part under the arcade between the active regions, passing over the site of flux emergence. The reconnection with the emerging flux, leading to a series of jet emissions into the loop system, caused a strong but confined rise of the loop system. This lifted the arcade between the two active regions, weakening its downward tension force and thus destabilizing the considerably sheared flux under the arcade. The complex event was also associated with supporting precursor activity in an enhanced network near the active regions, acting on the large-scale overlying flux, and with two simultaneous confined flares within the active regions.
Entangled photons generated by spontaneous parametric downconversion are ubiquitous in quantum optics. In general, they exhibit a complex spatial photon count distribution. This spatial structure is responsible for seemingly surprising results concerning, e.g., complementarity such as the apparent simultaneous observation of interference fringes V and which-way information D at a double slit, as recently reported by Menzel et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109, 9314 (2012)]. We implement a complete quantitative model of the SPDC interaction that fully incorporates the effects of crystal anisotropies, phase matching, and the pump beam structure and allows for arbitrary manipulations of the SPDC light in the near and far fields. This enables us to establish an upper bound D-2 + V-2 <= 1.47 for the experimental parameters reported by Menzel et al. We report new experimental results that agree excellently with these theoretical predictions. The new model enables a detailed quantitative analysis of this surprising result and the fair sampling interpretation of biphotons passing a double slit. (C) 2015 Optical Society of America
Context. Diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are non-stellar weak absorption features of unknown origin found in the spectra of stars viewed through one or several clouds of the interstellar medium (ISM). Research of DIBs outside the Milky Way is currently very limited. In particular, spatially resolved investigations of DIBs outside of the Local Group are, to our knowledge, inexistent.
Aims. In this contribution, we explore the capability of the high-sensitivity integral field spectrograph, MUSE, as a tool for mapping diffuse interstellar bands at distances larger than 100 Mpc.
Methods. We used MUSE commissioning data for AM1353-272 B, the member with the highest extinction of the Dentist's Chair, an interacting system of two spiral galaxies. High signal-to-noise spectra were created by co-adding the signal of many spatial elements distributed in a geometry of concentric elliptical half-rings.
Results. We derived decreasing radial profiles for the equivalent width of the lambda 5780.5 DIB both in the receding and approaching side of the companion galaxy up to distances of similar to 4.6 kpc from the centre of the galaxy. The interstellar extinction as derived from the Ha/H beta line ratio displays a similar trend, with decreasing values towards the external parts. This translates into an intrinsic correlation between the strength of the DIB and the extinction within AM1353-272 B, consistent with the currently existing global trend between these quantities when using measurements for Galactic and extragalactic sightlines.
Conclusions. It seems feasible to map the DIB strength in the Local Universe, which has up to now only been performed for the Milky Way. This offers a new approach to studying the relationship between DIBs and other characteristics and species of the ISM in addition to using galaxies in the Local Group or sightlines towards very bright targets outside the Local Group.
We report on the experimental and theoretical investigation of a considerable increase in the rate for thermal cis -> trans isomerization of azobenzene-containing molecules in the presence of gold nanopartides. Experimentally, by means of UV vis spectroscopy, we studied a series of azobenzene-containing surfactants and 4-nitroazobenzene. We found that in the presence of gold,nanoparticles the thermal lifetime of the cis isomer of the azobenzenecontaining molecules was decreased by up to 3 orders of magnitude in comparison to the lifetime in solution without nanoparticles. The electron transfer between azobenzene-containing molecules and a surface of gold nanopartides is a possible reason to promote the thermal cis trans switching. To investigate the effect of electron attachment to, and withdrawal from, the azobenzene-containing molecules on the isomerization rate, we performed density functional theory calculations of activation energy barriers of the reaction together with Eyring's transition state theory calculations of the rates for azobenzene derivatives with donor and acceptor groups in para position of one of the phenyl rings, as well as for one of the azobenzene-containing surfactants. We found that activation barriers are greatly lowered for azobenzene-containing molecules, both upon electron attachment and withdrawal, which leads, in turn, to a dramatic increase in the thermal isomerization rate.
The Galactic Center (GC) hosts three of the most massive WR rich, resolved young clusters in the Local Group as well as a large number of apparently isolated massive stars. Therefore, it constitutes a test bed to study the star formation history of the region, to probe a possible top-heavy scenario and to address massive star formation (clusters vs isolation) in such a dense and harsh environment. We present results from our ongoing infrared spectroscopic studies of WRs and other massive stars at the Center of the Milky Way.
While the majority of very massive stars is clearly found in clusters, there are also very massive objects not associated with any cluster, suggesting they may have been born in isolation. In order to gain more insights, we studied the regions around two WR stars in the Galactic Center region. To understand the nature of the potential cluster around massive stars, photometry alone is not sufficient. We therefore used the ESO VLT/SINFONI integral field spectrograph to obtain photometry and spectra for the whole region around our two candidate stars. In total, more than 60 stars have been found and assigned a spectral type.
The interaction between massive star formation and gas is a key ingredient in galaxy evolution. Given the level of observational detail currently achievable in nearby starbursts, they constitute ideal laboratories to study interaction process that contribute to global evolution in all types of galaxies. Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars, as an observational marker of high mass star formation, play a pivotal role and their winds can strongly influence the surrounding gas. Imaging spectroscopy of two nearby (<4 Mpc) starbursts, both of which show multiple regions with WR stars, are discussed. The relation between the WR content and the physical and chemical properties of the surrounding ionized gas is explored.
A detailed and comprehensive study of the Wolf-Rayet stars of the nitrogen sequence (WN
stars) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is presented.
We derived the fundamental stellar and wind parameters for more than 100 massive stars, encompassing almost the whole WN population in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). The observations are fitted with synthetic spectra, using the PotsdamWolf-Rayet model atmosphere
code (PoWR). For this purpose, large grids of line-blanket models for different metallicities have been calculated, covering a wide range of stellar temperatures, mass-loss rates, and hydrogen abundances. Our comprehensive sample facilitates statistical studies of the WN properties in the MCs without selection bias. To investigate the impact of the low LMC metallicity and the even lower SMC metallicity, we compare our new results to previous analyses of the Galactic WN population and the late type WN stars from M31. Based on these studies we derived an empirical relation between the WN mass-loss rates and the metallicity. Current stellar evolution tracks, even when accounting for rotationally induced mixing, partly fail to reproduce the observed ranges of luminosities and initial masses.
Rapid warming in the Arctic could influence mid-latitude circulation by reducing the poleward temperature gradient. The largest changes are generally expected in autumn or winter, but whether significant changes have occurred is debated. Here we report significant weakening of summer circulation detected in three key dynamical quantities: (i) the zonal-mean zonal wind, (ii) the eddy kinetic energy (EKE), and (iii) the amplitude of fast-moving Rossby waves. Weakening of the zonal wind is explained by a reduction in the poleward temperature gradient. Changes in Rossby waves and EKE are consistent with regression analyses of climate model projections and changes over the seasonal cycle. Monthly heat extremes are associated with low EKE, and thus the observed weakening might have contributed to more persistent heat waves in recent summers.
We present results based on YJK(s) photometry of star clusters located in the outermost, eastern region of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We analysed a total of 51 catalogued clusters whose colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs), having been cleaned from field-star contamination, were used to assess the clusters' reality and estimate ages of the genuine systems. Based on CMD analysis, 15 catalogued clusters were found to be possible non-genuine aggregates. We investigated the properties of 80 per cent of the catalogued clusters in this part of the SMC by enlarging our sample with previously obtained cluster ages, adopting a homogeneous scale for all. Their spatial distribution suggests that the oldest clusters, log(t yr(-1)) >= 9.6, are in general located at greater distances to the galaxy's centre than their younger counterparts - 9.0 <= log(t yr(-1)) <= 9.4 - while two excesses of clusters are seen at log(t yr(-1)) similar to 9.2 and log(t yr(-1)) similar to 9.7. We found a trail of younger clusters which follow the wing/bridge components. This long spatial sequence does not only harbour very young clusters, log(t yr(-1)) similar to 7.3, but it also hosts some of intermediate ages, log(t yr(-1)) similar to 9.1. The derived cluster and field-star formation frequencies as a function of age are different. The most surprising feature is an observed excess of clusters with ages of log(t yr(-1)) <9.0, which could have been induced by interactions with the LMC.
The Wolf-Rayet (WR) phenomenon is widespread in astronomy. It involves classical WRs, very massive stars (VMS), WR central stars of planetary nebula CSPN [WRs], and supernovae (SNe). But what is the root cause for a certain type of object to turn into an emission-line star? In this contribution, I discuss the basic aspects of radiation-driven winds that might reveal the ultimate difference between WR stars and canonical O-type stars. I discuss the aspects of (i) self-enrichment via CNO elements, (ii) high effective temperatures (Tₑff), (iii) an increase in the helium abundance (Y ), and finally (iv) the Eddington factor Γₑ. Over the last couple of years, we have made a breakthrough in our understanding of Γₑ -dependent mass loss, which will have far-reaching consequences for the evolution and fate of the most massive stars in the Universe. Finally, I discuss the prospects for studies of the WR phenomenon in the highest redshift Lyα and He ii emitting galaxies.
The X-ray observations of the colliding wind binary WR 21a is reported. The first monitoring performed by Swift/XRT in order to reveal the phase-locked variation. Our observations cover 201 different epochs from 2013 October 1 to 2015 January 30 for a total exposure of about 306 ks. It is found for the first time that the luminosity varies roughly in inverse proportion to the separation of the two stars before the X-ray maximum but later drops rapidly toward periastron.
The stellar Eddington limit
(2015)
It is often assumed that when stars reach their Eddington limit, strong outflows are initiated, and that this happens only for extreme stellar masses. We discuss here that in models of up to 500 M⊙, the Eddington limit is never reached at the stellar surface. Instead, we argue that the Eddington limit is reached inside the stellar envelope in hydrogen-rich stars above ∼ 30 M⊙ and in Wolf-Rayet stars above ∼ 7 M⊙, with drastic effects for their struture and stability.
Professional and amateur astronomers around the world contributed to a 4-month long campaign in 2013, mainly in spectroscopy but also in photometry, interferometry and polarimetry, to observe the first 3 Wolf-Rayet stars discovered: WR 134 (WN6b), WR 135 (WC8) and WR 137 (WC7pd+O9). Each of these stars are interesting in their own way, showing a variety of stellar wind structures. The spectroscopic data from this campaign were reduced and analyzed for WR 134 in order to better understand its behavior and long-term periodicity in the context of CIRs in the wind. We will be presenting the results of these spectroscopic data, which include the confirmation of the CIR variability and a time-coherency of ∼ 40 days (half-life of ∼ 20 days).
While N-body simulations suggest a cuspy profile in the centra of the dark matter halos of galaxies, the majority of astronomical observations favor a relatively soft cored density distribution of these regions. The routine method of testing the convergence of N-body simulations (in particular, the negligibility of two-body scattering effect) is to find the conditions under which formed structures is insensitive to numerical parameters. The results obtained with this approach suggest a surprisingly minor role of the particle collisions: the central density profile remains untouched and close to the Navarro-Frenk-White shape, even if the simulation time significantly exceeds the collisional relaxation time tau(r). In order to check the influence of the unphysical test body collisions we use the Fokker-Planck equation. It turns out that a profile rho proportional to r(-beta) where beta similar or equal to 1 is an attractor: the Fokker-Planck diffusion transforms any reasonable initial distribution into it in a time shorter than tau(r), and then the cuspy profile should survive much longer than tau(r), since the Fokker-Planck diffusion is self-compensated if beta similar or equal to 1. Thus the purely numerical effect of test body scattering may create a stable NFW-like pseudosolution. Moreover, its stability may be mistaken for the simulation convergence. We present analytical estimations for this potential bias effect and call for numerical tests. For that purpose, we suggest a simple test that can be performed as the simulation progresses and would indicate the magnitude of the collisional influence and the veracity of the simulation results. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Biological materials, in addition to having remarkable physical properties, can also change shape and volume. These shape and volume changes allow organisms to form new tissue during growth and morphogenesis, as well as to repair and remodel old tissues. In addition shape or volume changes in an existing tissue can lead to useful motion or force generation (actuation) that may even still function in the dead organism, such as in the well known example of the hygroscopic opening or closing behaviour of the pine cone. Both growth and actuation of tissues are mediated, in addition to biochemical factors, by the physical constraints of the surrounding environment and the architecture of the underlying tissue. This habilitation thesis describes biophysical studies carried out over the past years on growth and swelling mediated shape changes in biological systems. These studies use a combination of theoretical and experimental tools to attempt to elucidate the physical mechanisms governing geometry controlled tissue growth and geometry constrained tissue swelling. It is hoped that in addition to helping understand fundamental processes of growth and morphogenesis, ideas stemming from such studies can also be used to design new materials for medicine and robotics.
The PAC2MAN mission
(2015)
An accurate forecast of flare and coronal mass ejection (CME) initiation requires precise measurements of the magnetic energy buildup and release in the active regions of the solar atmosphere. We designed a new space weather mission that performs such measurements using new optical instruments based on the Hanle and Zeeman effects. The mission consists of two satellites, one orbiting the L1 Lagrangian point (Spacecraft Earth, SCE) and the second in heliocentric orbit at 1AU trailing the Earth by 80 degrees (Spacecraft 80, SC80). Optical instruments measure the vector magnetic field in multiple layers of the solar atmosphere. The orbits of the spacecraft allow for a continuous imaging of nearly 73% of the total solar surface. In-situ plasma instruments detect solar wind conditions at 1AU and ahead of our planet. Earth-directed CMEs can be tracked using the stereoscopic view of the spacecraft and the strategic placement of the SC80 satellite. Forecasting of geoeffective space weather events is possible thanks to an accurate surveillance of the magnetic energy buildup in the Sun, an optical tracking through the interplanetary space, and in-situ measurements of the near-Earth environment.
There is a recurring question in solar physics regarding whether or not electric currents are neutralized in active regions (ARs). This question was recently revisited using three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations of magnetic flux emergence into the solar atmosphere. Such simulations showed that flux emergence can generate a substantial net current in ARs. Other sources of AR currents are photospheric horizontal flows. Our aim is to determine the conditions for the occurrence of net versus neutralized currents with this second mechanism. Using 3D MHD simulations, we systematically impose line-tied, quasi-static, photospheric twisting and shearing motions to a bipolar potential magnetic field. We find that such flows: (1) produce both direct and return currents, (2) induce very weak compression currents-not observed in 2.5D-in the ambient field present in the close vicinity of the current-carrying field, and (3) can generate force-free magnetic fields with a net current. We demonstrate that neutralized currents are in general produced only in the absence of magnetic shear at the photospheric polarity inversion line-a special condition that is rarely observed. We conclude that. photospheric flows,. as magnetic flux emergence, can build up net currents in the solar atmosphere, in agreement with recent observations. These results thus provide support for eruption models based on pre-eruption magnetic fields that possess a net coronal current.
We report on multifrequency observations performed during 2012 December-2013 August of the first narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy detected in gamma-rays, PMN J0948+0022 (z = 0.5846). A y -ray flare was observed by the Large Area Telescope on board Fermi during 2012 December-2013 January, reaching a daily peak flux in the 0.1-100 GeV energy range of (155 31) x 10 8 ph cm(-2) S-1 on 2013 January 1, corresponding to an apparent isotropic luminosity of similar to 1.5 x 1048 erg s(-1). The y -ray flaring period triggered Swift and Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) observations in addition to radio and optical monitoring by Owens Valley Radio Observatory, Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments, and Catalina Real-time Transient Survey. A strong flare was observed in optical, UV, and X-rays on 2012 December 30, quasi-simultaneously to the y -ray flare, reaching a record flux for this source from optical to y gamma-rays. VERITAS observations at very high energy (E > 100 GeV) during 2013 January 6-17 resulted in an upper limit of F>0.2 Trev < 4.0 x 10(-12) ph cm(-2) s(-1). We compared the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the flaring state in 2013 January with that of an intermediate state observed in 2011. The two SEDs, modelled as synchrotron emission and an external Compton scattering of seed photons from a dust torus, can be modelled by changing both the electron distribution parameters and the magnetic field.
We investigate the rarity of the Wolf-Rayet X-ray binaries (WRXRBs) in contrast to their predecessors, the high mass X-ray binaries (HMXRBs). Recent studies suggest that common envelope (CE) mergers during the evolution of a HMXRBs may be responsible (Linden et al. 2012). We conduct a binary population synthesis to generate a population of HMXRBs mimicking the Galactic sample and vary the efficiency parameter during the CE phase to match the current WRXRB to HMXRB ratio. We find that ∼50% of systems must merge to match observational constraints.