186,901 research outputs found
New insights on accretion in supergiant fast X-ray transients from XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL observations of IGR J17544-2619
No full textXMM–Newton observations of the supergiant fast X-ray transient IGR J17544?2619 are reported and placed in the context of an analysis of archival INTEGRAL/IBIS data that provide a refined estimate of the orbital period at 4.9272?±?0.0004?d. A complete outburst history across the INTEGRAL mission is reported. Although the new XMM–Newton observations (each lasting ?15 ks) targeted the peak flux in the phase-folded hard X-ray light curve of IGR J17544?2619, no bright outbursts were observed, the source spending the majority of the exposure at intermediate luminosities of the order of several 1033?erg?s?1 (0.5–10 keV) and displaying only low level flickering activity. For the final portion of the exposure, the luminosity of IGR J17544?2619 dropped to ?4?×?1032?erg?s?1 (0.5–10 keV), comparable with the lowest luminosities ever detected from this source, despite the observations being taken near to periastron. We consider the possible orbital geometry of IGR J17544?2619 and the implications for the nature of the mass transfer and accretion mechanisms for both IGR J17544?2619 and the supergiant fast X-ray transients (SFXTs) population. We conclude that accretion under the ‘quasi-spherical accretion’ model provides a good description of the behaviour of IGR J17544?2619 and suggests an additional mechanism for generating outbursts based upon the mass accumulation rate in the hot shell (atmosphere) that forms around the neutron star under the quasi-spherical formulation. Hence, we hope to aid in explaining the varied outburst behaviours observed across the SFXT population with a consistent underlying physical model
A 2 h periodic variation in the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1
No full textSpectroscopy of the low-mass X-ray binary Ser X-1 using the Gran Telescopio Canarias have revealed a ?2 h periodic variability that is present in the three strongest emission lines. We tentatively interpret this variability as due to orbital motion, making it the first indication of the orbital period of Ser X-1. Together with the fact that the emission lines are remarkably narrow, but still resolved, we show that a main-sequence K dwarf together with a canonical 1.4 M? neutron star gives a good description of the system. In this scenario, the most likely place for the emission lines to arise is the accretion disc, instead of a localized region in the binary (such as the irradiated surface or the stream-impact point), and their narrowness is due instead to the low inclination (?10°) of Ser X-1
Experimental Measurements and Computer Simulation of Fission Product Gamma-Ray Spectra
No full textAirborne gamma ray spectrometry using high volume scintillation detectors, optionally in conjunction with Ge detectors, has potential for making rapid environmental measurements in response to nuclear accidents. An experimental investigation and computer simulation have been used to characterise the response of such detectors to short lived fission products. Small samples of 235U were irradiated in a research reactor for short periods, to generate fission product sources. Gamma ray spectra were recorded over a period of one year using both high volume scintillation detectors and semiconductor detectors. The main gamma emitting nuclides have been identified, and their associated signals in each detector defined. Simulation work has been used to calculate the corresponding spectra which would have been observed at airborne survey heights, or from fission product sources irradiated for a prolonged period. While Ge detectors can record a fuller range of isotopes, of interest in characterising release terms, the NaI spectra also have potential for providing data on a range of radiologically important isotopes at all stages
The sensitivity of the Durham mk6 ground-based atmospheric cherenkov telescope to very high energy gamma-ray sources
No full textThe subject of this thesis is a determination of the sensitivity of the Durham Mk6 ground based Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (lACT), an instrument which uses the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique to detect Very High Energy (VHE) gamma-rays. The first three chapters are introductory: Chapter 1 describes the basics of Very High Energy (VHE) gamma ray astronomy. Chapter 2 describes the properties of Extensive Ak Showers (EAS). Chapter 3 describes the detection of these EAS on the ground by lACTs, Chapter 4 details the Durham Mk6 lACT and includes a description of the Cherenkov imaging technique for background discrimination. Chapter 5 describes the MOCCA and SOLMK simulation codes. Chapter 6 contains a description of the details of the simulations produced for this diesis. This chapter continues to its logical conclusion and presents a revised VHE gamma-ray flux of 2.5 ± 0.7(_stat) [+0.5 or -1.6](_syst x lO(_7) photons m(^-2) s(^-1) for a sub set of a previously published data set which gave a 6.8σ detection of the close X-ray selected BL Lac PKS 2155-304. Chapter 7 discusses the importance of PKS 2155- 304 and presents 3σ flux limits for another seven Southern hemisphere AGN observed between 1996 and 1999 using the Durham Mk6 IACT. Finally there is a short discussion on the future of VHE gamma-ray astronomy
Man Ray Films
No full text"This videcassette includes the four films which established Man Ray as a major figure of the 1920's avant-garde cinema: Le Retour à la raison and Emak Bakia (influenced by the Dada spirit), L'Étoile de la mer (a surrealist film), Les Mystères du château du dé (bordering on surrealism), as well as eleven short 'autobiographical' films." -- Videocassette case
Gamma ray Cerenkov telescope image analysis
No full textThe subject of this thesis is ground based gamma ray astronomy using the imaging atmospheric Cerenkov technique. The first two chapters are introductory, and describe the field of gamma ray astronomy, the generation of extensive air showers in the atmosphere and the Cerenkov radiation they induce. Chapter three describes the atmospheric Cerenkov telescope, including the development of the imaging technique for background discrimination. The characteristics of the three University of Durham atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes and the processing and calibration of their data products are outlined. Chapter four is concerned with periodic sources of gamma ray emission and includes a review of candidate sources and time series analysis techniques. An analysis of the Mark 3 telescope SMC X-1 database is presented. An upper limit of 1.2 x 10(^-11) cm(^-2) s(^-1) above a cosmic ray threshold of 1 TeV is determined for the guard ring analysis of Mark 3 data. For an analysis of medium resolution Mark 3 imaging data, the upper limit is 2 x 10(^-10) cm(^-2) s(^-1) above a cosmic ray threshold of 500 GeV. Chapter five introduces a new method for the parameterisation of Cerenkov images of extensive air showers recorded by atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes. This method, involving the optimization of a bivariate Gaussian fit to the image, is shown to be significantly better than the standard moment based parameterisation using simulated images. In Chapter six, both of these methods are employed in an attempt to enhance the signal to noise ratio for observations of the pulsar PSR 1706-44 made with the Mark 6 telescope and some evidence for steady emission is seen. The implied fluxes are (2.6 ± 0.3 ± 0.1)x 10(^-11) cm(^-2) s(^-1) above 420 GeV for the bivariate Gaussian analysis and (1.7 ± 0.4 ± 0.2)x10(^-11) cm(^-2) s(^-1) above 500 GeV for the moment analysis
On a shape adaptive image ray transform
No full textA conventional approach to image analysis is to perform separately feature extraction at a low level (such as edge detection) and follow this with high level feature extraction to determine structure (e.g. by collecting edge points using the Hough transform. The original image Ray Transform (IRT) demonstrated capability to extract structures at a low level. Here we extend the IRT to add shape specificity that makes it select specific shapes rather than just edges, the new capability is achieved by addition of a single parameter that controls which shape is elected by the extended IRT. The extended approach can then perform low-and high-level feature extraction simultaneously. We show how the IRT process can be extended to focus on chosen shapes such as lines and circles. We confirm the new capability by application of conventional methods for exact shape location. We analyze performance with images from the Caltech-256 dataset and show that the new approach can indeed select chosen shapes. Further research could capitalize on the new extraction ability to extend descriptive capability
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and density study of ternary chalcogenide glasses based on Ge-Se and Ge-S
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Glasses of the systems Ge-Se-X (X = Ga, Sn, Bi, Sb), Ge-S-Y (Y = Ag, Ga, Sn, Bi) and Se-S have been examined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), density and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Two of the compositions, GeSe2 and (GeSe2)92Ga8, have also been examined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The emphasis of the XPS measurements was on the changes in the binding energies with composition of the core peaks of the glasses, and on the plasmon energy losses from the L3M4,5M4,5 Auger lines of Se and Ge. It was found that there were small shifts in the binding energies of the core peaks on substitution but the plasmon energy changed markedly with composition. For the XRD measurements, the focus was on two features : (a) to ensure that the samples prepared were truely amorphous and (b) to confirm the presence of the first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) on the interference functions. The density measurements showed that the addition of the third element (X or
Y) to the binary resulted in an increase in the relative density except for one system, Ge-Se-Sn, which showed the opposite behaviour. The DSC measurements showed that the addition of the third element to the binary resulted in a decrease in the glass transition temperatures. The EXAFS and XANES measurements of GeSe2 and (GeSe2)92Ga8 glasses showed that there was very little change in the local order around the Ge atom in GeSe2 glass with increase in temperature and that the local order around the Ge atom changes on alloying GeSe2 with Ga. Correlations between parameters and measured properties of the ternary alloys have been investigated. It has been found that the parameter , the average coordination number, correlates well with certain structural properties but badly with others. Suggestions are made for an alternative to .This study was funded by the British Council
Quasi-periodic modulation observed in the gamma-ray blazar PG 1553+113 and the MAGIC campaign 2015-2017
No full textA gamma-ray nearly-periodic oscillation was observed from the well-known GeV/TeV BL Lac object PG 1553+113 by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). The quasi-periodicity in the gamma-ray flux (E>100 MeV and E>1 GeV), reported for the first time in an active galactic nucleus, is significant with a 100 GeV) gamma rays and will cover the next maximum of activity, expected between the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017. The MWL data collected during this campaign, coupled with the gamma-ray ones form MAGIC, will be the key to determine the nature of the periodicity to disentangle the processes driving the periodic modulation from flaring activity typical in blazar objects
Energy conversion of X-ray, ultraviolet and infrared radiation in Gd2O3 crystals doped with Er3+ ions
No full textSpectra of photoluminescence (PL) and X-ray excited luminescence (XRL) in region of 1.5-5.0 eV, PL excitation spectra (2.8-5.8 eV), PL decay kinetics were measured in Gd2O3 crystals doped both with Er3+ and Zn2+ ions. Synchrotron radiation (VEPP-3 storage ring, Novosibirsk, Russia) were used for XRL measurements. PL spectra were studied at room temperature and T= 88 K under excitation with energy Eexc: a) in fundamental absorption region (Eexc≥Eg); b) in intracenter excitation region (Eexc<Eg); c) in infrared region (Eexc<<Eg) with using laser 980 nm diode as exciting photons (up-conversion processes). The probability of radiative transitions from excited states of the impurity center depends on Eexc. The photoluminescence efficiency in Gd2O3 doped with both Er3+ and Zn2+ ions in the green region decreases, 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions dominate in the red region both in XRL and PL spectra. This effect is also clearly manifested in the spectra of anti-Stokes luminescence. Energy transfer between the excited Er3+ states of the impurity center and the crystal lattice defect is observed. Decrease of the lifetime of 4S3/2 excited state in Gd2O3:Er3+ + Zn2+ from 120 to 10 μs is observed. This fact indicated s a nonradiative energy transfer between impurity center and defect. Otherwise, the defect concentration variation (by means of doping with heterovalent ions) provides the ability to control the energy conversion efficiency as well as the phosphorus color. © 2017 Author(s).This work was partially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (Government task No. 3.1485.2017/4.6 and basic part of the government mandate, project No. 3.8302.2017/8.9). One of the authors (PVA) thanks Dr. S. Omelkov for their help in PL time-resolved experiments
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