分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: We describe a search for gravitational waves from compact binaries with at least one component with mass 0.2 $M_\odot$ -- $1.0 M_\odot$ and mass ratio $q \geq 0.1$ in Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo data collected between 1 November 2019, 15:00 UTC and 27 March 2020, 17:00 UTC. No signals were detected. The most significant candidate has a false alarm rate of 0.2 $\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. We estimate the sensitivity of our search over the entirety of Advanced LIGO's and Advanced Virgo's third observing run, and present the most stringent limits to date on the merger rate of binary black holes with at least one subsolar-mass component. We use the upper limits to constrain two fiducial scenarios that could produce subsolar-mass black holes: primordial black holes (PBH) and a model of dissipative dark matter. The PBH model uses recent prescriptions for the merger rate of PBH binaries that include a rate suppression factor to effectively account for PBH early binary disruptions. If the PBHs are monochromatically distributed, we can exclude a dark matter fraction in PBHs $f_\mathrm{PBH} \gtrsim 0.6$ (at 90% confidence) in the probed subsolar-mass range. However, if we allow for broad PBH mass distributions we are unable to rule out $f_\mathrm{PBH} = 1$. For the dissipative model, where the dark matter has chemistry that allows a small fraction to cool and collapse into black holes, we find an upper bound $f_{\mathrm{DBH}} < 10^{-5}$ on the fraction of atomic dark matter collapsed into black holes.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Ground-based synoptic solar observations provide critical contextual data used to model the large-scale state of the heliosphere. The next decade will see a combination of ground-based telescopes and space missions that will study our Sun's atmosphere microscopic processes with unprecedented detail. This white paper describes contextual observations from a ground-based network needed to fully exploit this new knowledge of the underlying physics that leads to the magnetic linkages between the heliosphere and the Sun. This combination of a better understanding of small-scale processes and the appropriate global context will enable a physics-based approach to Space Weather comparable to Terrestrial Weather forecasting.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Using the Parker Solar Probe data taken in the inner heliosphere, we investigate the power and spatial anisotropy of magnetic-field spectra at kinetic scales (i.e., around sub-ion scales) in solar wind turbulence in the inner heliosphere. We find that strong anisotropy of magnetic spectra occurs at kinetic scales with the strongest power in the perpendicular direction with respect to the local magnetic field (forming an angle theta_B with the mean flow velocity). The spectral index of magnetic spectra varies from -3.2 to -5.8 when the angle theta_B changes from 90 to 180 (or 0) deg, indicating that strong anisotropy of the spectral indices occurs at kinetic scales in the solar wind turbulence. Using a diagnosis based on the magnetic helicity, we show that the anisotropy of the spectral indices can be explained by the nature of the plasma modes that carry the cascade at kinetic scales. We discuss our findings in light of existing theories and current development in the field.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Electron heating/acceleration in the foreshock, by which electrons may be energized beyond thermal energies prior to encountering the bow shock, is very important for the bow shock dynamics. And then these electrons would be more easily injected into a process like diffusive shock acceleration. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain electrons heating/acceleration in the foreshock. Magnetic reconnection is one possible candidate. Taking advantage of the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, we present two magnetic reconnection events in the dawn-side and dusk-side ion foreshock region, respectively. Super-Alfv\'enic electron outflow, demagnetization of the electrons and the ions, and crescent electron distributions in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field are observed in the sub-ion-scale current sheets. Moreover, strong energy conversion from the fields to the plasmas and significant electron temperature enhancement are observed. Our observations provide direct evidence that magnetic reconnection could occur in the foreshock region and heat/accelerate the electrons therein.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: The close correlation observed between emission state and spin-down rate change of pulsars has many implications both for the magnetospheric physics and the neutron star interior. The middle-aged pulsar PSR J0738$-$4042, which had been observed to display variations in the pulse profile associated with its spin-down rate change due to external effects, is a remarkable example. In this study, based on the 12.5-yr combined public timing data from UTMOST and Parkes, we have detected a new emission-rotation correlation in PSR J0738$-$4042 concurrent with a glitch. A glitch that occurred at MJD 57359(5) (December 3, 2015) with $\Delta\nu/\nu \sim 0.36(4)\times 10^{-9}$ is the first glitch event observed in this pulsar and is probably the underlying cause of the emission-rotation correlation. Unlike the usual post-glitch behaviours, the braking torque on the pulsar has continued to increase over 1380 d, corresponding to a significant decrease in $\ddot{\nu}$. As for changes in the pulse profile after the glitch, the relative amplitude of the leading component weakens drastically, while the middle component becomes stronger. A combined model of crustquake induced platelet movement and vortex creep response is invoked to account for this rare correlation. In this scenario, magnetospheric state-change is naturally linked to the pulsar-intrinsic processes that give rise to a glitch.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: The bubble nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils in superheated liquids plays a crucial role in interpreting results from direct searches for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. The PICO Collaboration presents the results of the efficiencies for bubble nucleation from carbon and fluorine recoils in superheated C$_3$F$_8$ from calibration data taken with 5 distinct neutron spectra at various thermodynamic thresholds ranging from 2.1 keV to 3.9 keV. Instead of assuming any particular functional forms for the nuclear recoil efficiency, a generalized piecewise linear model is proposed with systematic errors included as nuisance parameters to minimize model-introduced uncertainties. A Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) routine is applied to sample the nuclear recoil efficiency for fluorine and carbon at 2.45 keV and 3.29 keV thermodynamic thresholds simultaneously. The nucleation efficiency for fluorine was found to be $\geq 50\, \%$ for nuclear recoils of 3.3 keV (3.7 keV) at a thermodynamic Seitz threshold of 2.45 keV (3.29 keV), and for carbon the efficiency was found to be $\geq 50\, \%$ for recoils of 10.6 keV (11.1 keV) at a threshold of 2.45 keV (3.29 keV). Simulated data sets are used to calculate a p-value for the fit, confirming that the model used is compatible with the data. The fit paradigm is also assessed for potential systematic biases, which although small, are corrected for. Additional steps are performed to calculate the expected interaction rates of WIMPs in the PICO-60 detector, a requirement for calculating WIMP exclusion limits.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: The Deeper, Wider, Faster (DWF) program coordinates observations with telescopes across the electromagnetic spectrum, searching for transients on timescales of milliseconds to days. The tenth DWF observing run was carried out in near real-time during September 2021 and consisted of six consecutive days of observations of the NGC 6744 galaxy group and a field containing the repeating fast radio burst FRB190711 with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder, the Dark Energy Camera, the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope and the Parkes 64m "Murriyang" radio telescope. In this work we present the results of an image-domain search for transient, variable and circularly polarised sources carried out with ASKAP using data from the observing run, along with test observations prior to the run and follow-up observations carried out during and after the run. We identified eight variable radio sources, consisting of one pulsar, six stellar systems (five of which exhibit circularly polarised emission) and one previously uncatalogued source. Of particular interest is the detection of pulses from the ultra-cool dwarf SCR J1845-6357 with a period of $14.2\pm 0.3$ h, in good agreement with the known optical rotation period, making this the slowest rotating radio-loud ultra-cool dwarf discovered.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Depression in magnetic field strength with a scale below one proton gyroradius is referred to as kinetic-size magnetic hole (KSMH). KSMHs are frequently observed near terrestrial space environments and are thought to play an important role in electron energization and energy dissipation in space plasmas. Recently, KSMHs have been evidenced in the Venusian magnetosheath. However, observations of KSMHs in other planetary environments are still lacking. In this study, we present the in situ detection of KSMHs in Martian magnetosheath using Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) for the first time. The distribution of KSMHs is asymmetry in the southern northern hemisphere and no obvious asymmetry in the dawn dusk hemisphere. The observed KSMHs are accompanied by increases in the electron fluxes in the perpendicular direction, indicating the cues of trapped electrons and the formation of electron vortices inside KSMHs. These features are similar to the observations in the terrestrail magtosheath and magnetotail plasma sheet and the Venusian magnetosheath. This implies that KSMHs are a universal magnetic structure in space.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Solid-phase photo-processes involving icy dust grains greatly affect the chemical evolution of the interstellar medium by leading to the formation of complex organic molecules and by inducing photodesorption. So far, the focus of laboratory studies has been mainly on the impact of energetic ultraviolet (UV) photons on ices, but direct vibrational excitation by infrared (IR) photons is expected to influence the morphology and content of interstellar ices as well. However, little is still known about the mechanisms through which this excess vibrational energy is dissipated, and its implications on the structure and ice photochemistry. In this work, we present a systematic investigation of the behavior of interstellar relevant CO and CH3OH ice analogues upon resonant excitation of vibrational modes using tunable infrared radiation, leading to both the quantification of infrared-induced photodesorption and insights in the impact of vibrational energy dissipation on ice morphology. We utilize an ultrahigh vacuum setup at cryogenic temperatures to grow pure CO and CH3OH ices, as well as mixtures of the two. We expose the ices to intense, near-monochromatic mid-infrared free-electron-laser radiation to selectively excite the species. The dissipation of vibrational energy is observed to be highly dependent on the excited mode and the chemical environment of the ice. All amorphous ices undergo some degree of restructuring towards a more organized configuration upon on-resonance irradiation. Moreover, IR-induced photodesorption is observed to occur for both pure CO and CH3OH ices, with interstellar photodesorption efficiencies of the order of 10 molecules cm-2 s-1 (i.e., comparable to or higher than UV-induced counterparts). Indirect photodesorption of CO upon vibrational excitation of CH3OH in ice mixtures is also observed to occur, particularly in environments rich in methanol.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: PICO bubble chambers have exceptional sensitivity to inelastic dark matter-nucleus interactions due to a combination of their extended nuclear recoil energy detection window from a few keV to $O$(100 keV) or more and the use of iodine as a heavy target. Inelastic dark matter-nucleus scattering is interesting for studying the properties of dark matter, where many theoretical scenarios have been developed. This study reports the results of a search for dark matter inelastic scattering with the PICO-60 bubble chambers. The analysis reported here comprises physics runs from PICO-60 bubble chambers using CF$_{3}$I and C$_{3}$F$_{8}$. The CF$_{3}$I run consisted of 36.8 kg of CF$_{3}$I reaching an exposure of 3415 kg-day operating at thermodynamic thresholds between 7 and 20 keV. The C$_{3}$F$_{8}$ runs consisted of 52 kg of C$_{3}$F$_{8}$ reaching exposures of 1404 kg-day and 1167 kg-day running at thermodynamic thresholds of 2.45 keV and 3.29 keV, respectively. The analysis disfavors various scenarios, in a wide region of parameter space, that provide a feasible explanation of the signal observed by DAMA, assuming an inelastic interaction, considering that the PICO CF$_{3}$I bubble chamber used iodine as the target material.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: We report on a study of the Multiview Observatory for Solar Terrestrial Science (MOST) mission that will provide comprehensive imagery and time series data needed to understand the magnetic connection between the solar interior and the solar atmosphere/inner heliosphere. MOST will build upon the successes of SOHO and STEREO missions with new views of the Sun and enhanced instrument capabilities. This article is based on a study conducted at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center that determined the required instrument refinement, spacecraft accommodation, launch configuration, and flight dynamics for mission success. MOST is envisioned as the next generation great observatory positioned to obtain three-dimensional information of solar wind structures such as coronal mass ejections, stream interaction regions, and the solar wind. The MOST mission consists of 2 pairs of spacecraft located in the vicinity of Sun Earth Lagrange points L4 (MOST1, MOST3) and L5 (MOST2 and MOST4). The spacecraft stationed at L4 (MOST1) and L5 (MOST2) will each carry seven remote-sensing and three in-situ instrument suites. MOST will also carry a novel radio package known as the Faraday Effect Tracker of Coronal and Heliospheric structures (FETCH). FETCH will have polarized radio transmitters and receivers on all four spacecraft to measure the magnetic content of solar wind structures propagating from the Sun to Earth using the Faraday rotation technique. The MOST mission will be able to sample the magnetized plasma throughout the Sun Earth connected space during the mission lifetime over a solar cycle.
分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19
摘要: Aims. With the next generation of large surveys coming to the stage of observational cosmology soon, it is important to explore their potential synergies and to maximise their scientific outcomes. In this study, we aim to investigate the complementarity of the two upcoming space missions Euclid and the China Space Station Telescope (CSST), focusing on weak lensing (WL) cosmology. In particular, we analyse the photometric redshifts (photo-zs) and the galaxy blending effects. For Euclid, WL measurements suffer from chromatic PSF effects. For this, CSST can provide valuable information for Euclid to obtain more accurate PSF, and to calibrate the color and color-gradient biases for WL measurements. Methods. We create image simulations for different surveys, and quantify the photo-z performance. For blending analyses, we employ high-resolution HST/CANDELS data to mock Euclid, CSST, and an LSST-like survey. We analyse the blending fraction for different cases, and the blending effects on galaxy photometry. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CSST can provide a large enough number of high SNR multi-band galaxy images to calibrate the color-gradient biases for Euclid. Results. The sky coverage of Euclid lies entirely within the CSST footprint. The combination of Euclid with CSST data can be done more uniformly than with the various ground-based data. Our studies show that by combining Euclid and CSST, we can reach a photo-z precision of $\sigma_{\rm NMAD} \approx 0.04$, and an outlier fraction of $\eta\approx 2.4\%$. Because of the similarly high resolutions, the data combination of Euclid and CSST can be relatively straightforward for photometry. To include ground-based data, however, sophisticated deblending utilizing priors from high-resolution space data is demanded. The color-gradient biases for Euclid can be well calibrated to the level of 0.1% using galaxies from CSST deep survey.
分类: 物理学 >> 交叉学科物理及相关领域的科学与技术 提交时间: 2018-03-30
摘要: Herein, nanoparticles SnSe are prepared by fusion method together with ball-milling technique and the effect of hot-pressing temperatures on the thermoelectric properties of the dense materials is explored. Due to the optimization of carrier concentration, the peak figure of merit (ZT) value of the compacted material reaches 0.73 for SnSe sample hot-pressed at 400°C and 450°C. The present investigation indicates that the thermoelectric performance of the SnSe compound can be significantly improved by sintering with suitable temperature.
分类: 物理学 >> 交叉学科物理及相关领域的科学与技术 提交时间: 2018-03-30
摘要: Recently, single crystalline SnSe and its sodium doped compound were reported to have an ultralow thermal conductivity and high thermoelectric figure of merit. However, the highest high thermoelectric figure of merit for polycrystalline SnSe-based materials is not larger than unity. In this study, we report a high thermoelectric figure of merit 1.21 at 903K along the hot pressing direction for polycrystalline SnSe, realized by incorporating a proper proportion of carbon black as nano-inclusions. The exceptional performance arises from the ultra-high power factor, which comes from a high electrical conductivity and an enhanced Seebeck coefficient through energy-dependent scattering.