Publications

Multiwavelength study of Cygnus A IV. Proper motion and location of the nucleus

ArXiv (2014)

KC Steenbrugge, KM Blundell, S Pyrzas

Context. Cygnus A, as the nearest powerful FR II radio galaxy, plays an important role in understanding jets and their impact on the surrounding intracluster medium. Aims. To explain why the nucleus is observed superposed onto the eastern lobe rather than in between the two lobes, and why the jet and counterjet are non-colinear. Methods. We made a comparative study of the radio images at different frequencies of Cygnus A, in combination with the published results on the radial velocities in the Cygnus A cluster. Results. From the morphology of the inner lobes we conclude that the lobes are not interacting with one another, but are well separated, even at low radio frequencies. We explain the location of the nucleus as the result of the proper motion of the galaxy through the cluster. The required proper motion is of the same order of magnitude as the radial velocity offset of Cygnus A with the sub-cluster it belongs to. The proper motion of the galaxy through the cluster likely also explains the non-co-linearity of the jet and counterjet.

Black hole evolution: II. Spinning black holes in a supernova-driven turbulent interstellar medium

ArXiv (2014)

Y Dubois, M Volonteri, J Silk, J Devriendt, A Slyz

Supermassive black holes (BH) accrete gas from their surroundings and coalesce with companions during galaxy mergers, and both processes change the BH mass and spin. By means of high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of galaxies, either idealised or embedded within the cosmic web, we explore the effects of interstellar gas dynamics and external perturbations on BH spin evolution. All these physical quantities were evolved on-the-fly in a self-consistent manner. We use a `maximal' model to describe the turbulence induced by stellar feedback to highlight its impact on the angular momentum of the gas accreted by the BH. Periods of intense star formation are followed by phases where stellar feedback drives large-scale outflows and hot bubbles. We find that BH accretion is synchronised with star formation, as only when gas is cold and dense do both processes take place. During such periods, gas motion is dominated by consistent rotation. On the other hand, when stellar feedback becomes substantial, turbulent motion randomises gas angular momentum. However BH accretion is strongly suppressed in that case, as cold and dense gas is lacking. In our cosmological simulation, at very early times (z>6), the galactic disc has not yet settled and no preferred direction exists for the angular momentum of the accreted gas, so the BH spin remains low. As the gas settles into a disc (6>z>3), the BH spin then rapidly reaches its maximal value. At lower redshifts (z<3), even when galaxy mergers flip the direction of the angular momentum of the accreted gas, causing it to counter-rotate, the BH spin magnitude only decreases modestly and temporarily. Should this be a typical evolution scenario for BH, it potentially has dramatic consequences regarding their origin and assembly, as accretion on maximally spinning BH embedded in thin Shakura-Sunyaev disc is significantly reduced.

Erratum: IceCube sensitivity for low-energy neutrinos from nearby supernovae(Astronomy and Astrophysics (2011) 535 : A109 (DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201117810))

Astronomy and Astrophysics 563 (2014)

R Abbasi, Y Abdou, T Abu-Zayyad, M Ackermann, J Adams, JA Aguilar, M Ahlers, MM Allen, D Altmann, K Andeen, K Andeen, J Auffenberg, X Bai, X Bai, M Baker, SW Barwick, V Baum, R Bay, JL Bazo Alba, K Beattie, JJ Beatty, JJ Beatty, S Bechet, JK Becker, KH Becker, ML Benabderrahmane, S BenZvi, J Berdermann, P Berghaus, D Berley, E Bernardini, D Bertrand, DZ Besson, D Bindig, M Bissok, E Blaufuss, J Blumenthal, DJ Boersma, C Bohm, D Bose, S Böser, O Botner, AM Brown, S Buitink, KS Caballero-Mora, M Carson, D Chirkin, B Christy, F Clevermann, S Cohen, C Colnard, DF Cowen, DF Cowen, AH Cruz Silva, MV D'Agostino, M Danninger, J Daughhetee, JC Davis, C De Clercq, T Degner, L Demirörs, F Descamps, P Desiati, G De Vries-Uiterweerd, T Deyoung, JC Díaz-Vélez, M Dierckxsens, J Dreyer, JP Dumm, M Dunkman, J Eisch, RW Ellsworth, O Engdegård, S Euler, PA Evenson, O Fadiran, AR Fazely, A Fedynitch, J Feintzeig, T Feusels, K Filimonov, C Finley, T Fischer-Wasels, BD Fox, A Franckowiak, R Franke, TK Gaisser, J Gallagher, L Gerhardt, L Gerhardt, L Gladstone, T Glüsenkamp, A Goldschmidt, JA Goodman, D Góra, D Grant, T Griesel, A Groß, A Groß, S Grullon

Observations of continuum depression in warm dense matter with x-ray Thomson scattering.

Physical review letters 112 (2014) 145004-

LB Fletcher, AL Kritcher, A Pak, T Ma, T Döppner, C Fortmann, L Divol, OS Jones, OL Landen, HA Scott, J Vorberger, DA Chapman, DO Gericke, BA Mattern, GT Seidler, G Gregori, RW Falcone, SH Glenzer

Detailed measurements of the electron densities, temperatures, and ionization states of compressed CH shells approaching pressures of 50 Mbar are achieved with spectrally resolved x-ray scattering. Laser-produced 9 keV x-rays probe the plasma during the transient state of three-shock coalescence. High signal-to-noise x-ray scattering spectra show direct evidence of continuum depression in highly degenerate warm dense matter states with electron densities ne>1024  cm-3. The measured densities and temperatures agree well with radiation-hydrodynamic modeling when accounting for continuum lowering in calculations that employ detailed configuration accounting.

Resolving ultrafast heating of dense cryogenic hydrogen.

Physical review letters 112 (2014) 105002-

U Zastrau, P Sperling, M Harmand, A Becker, T Bornath, R Bredow, S Dziarzhytski, T Fennel, LB Fletcher, E Förster, S Göde, G Gregori, V Hilbert, D Hochhaus, B Holst, T Laarmann, HJ Lee, T Ma, JP Mithen, R Mitzner, CD Murphy, M Nakatsutsumi, P Neumayer, A Przystawik, S Roling, M Schulz, B Siemer, S Skruszewicz, J Tiggesbäumker, S Toleikis, T Tschentscher, T White, M Wöstmann, H Zacharias, T Döppner, SH Glenzer, R Redmer

We report on the dynamics of ultrafast heating in cryogenic hydrogen initiated by a ≲300  fs, 92 eV free electron laser x-ray burst. The rise of the x-ray scattering amplitude from a second x-ray pulse probes the transition from dense cryogenic molecular hydrogen to a nearly uncorrelated plasmalike structure, indicating an electron-ion equilibration time of ∼0.9  ps. The rise time agrees with radiation hydrodynamics simulations based on a conductivity model for partially ionized plasma that is validated by two-temperature density-functional theory.

Turbulent momentum pinch of diamagnetic flows in a tokamak

ArXiv (2013)

J Lee, FI Parra, M Barnes

The ion toroidal rotation in a tokamak consists of an $E\times B$ flow due to the radial electric field and a diamagnetic flow due to the radial pressure gradient. The turbulent pinch of toroidal angular momentum due to the Coriolis force studied in previous work is only applicable to the $E\times B$ flow. In this Letter, the momentum pinch for the rotation generated by the radial pressure gradient is calculated and is compared with the Coriolis pinch. This distinction is important for subsonic flows or the flow in the pedestal where the two types of flows are similar in size and opposite in direction. In the edge, the different pinches due to the opposite rotations can result in intrinsic momentum transport that gives significant rotation peaking.

How do galaxies build up their spin in the cosmic web?

ArXiv (2014)

C Welker, Y Dubois, J Devriendt, C Pichon, S Peirani

Using the Horizon-AGN simulation we find a mass dependent spin orientation trend for galaxies: the spin of low-mass, rotation-dominated, blue, star-forming galaxies are preferentially aligned with their closest filament, whereas high-mass, velocity dispersion- supported, red quiescent galaxies tend to possess a spin perpendicular to these filaments. We explore the physical mechanisms driving galactic spin swings and quantify how much mergers and smooth accretion re-orient them relative to their host filaments and impact their shape. In particular, we analyze the effect of dispersion and morphology of galaxies and discuss potential tracers for prospective surveys.

Why do galactic spins flip in the cosmic web? A Theory of Tidal Torques near saddles

ArXiv (2014)

C Pichon, S Codis, D Pogosyan, Y Dubois, V Desjacques, J Devriendt

Filaments of the cosmic web drive spin acquisition of disc galaxies. The point process of filament-type saddle represent best this environment and can be used to revisit the Tidal Torque Theory in the context of an anisotropic peak (saddle) background split. The constrained misalignment between the tidal tensor and the Hessian of the density field generated in the vicinity of filament saddle points simply explains the corresponding transverse and longitudinal point-reflection symmetric geometry of spin distribution. It predicts in particular an azimuthal orientation of the spins of more massive galaxies and spin alignment with the filament for less massive galaxies. Its scale dependence also allows us to relate the transition mass corresponding to the alignment of dark matter halos spin relative to the direction of their neighboring filament to this geometry, and to predict accordingly it s scaling with the mass of non linearity, as was measured in simulations.

FINGERPRINTS OF GALACTIC LOOP I ON THE COSMIC MICROWAVE BACKGROUND

ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS 789 (2014) ARTN L29

H Liu, P Mertsch, S Sarkar

Dancing in the dark: galactic properties trace spin swings along the cosmic web

ArXiv (2014)

Y Dubois, C Pichon, C Welker, DL Borgne, J Devriendt, C Laigle, S Codis, D Pogosyan, S Arnouts, K Benabed, E Bertin, J Blaizot, F Bouchet, J-F Cardoso, S Colombi, VD Lapparent, V Desjacques, R Gavazzi, S Kassin, T Kimm, H McCracken, B Milliard, S Peirani, S Prunet, S Rouberol, J Silk, A Slyz, T Sousbie, R Teyssier, L Tresse, M Treyer, D Vibert, M Volonteri

A large-scale hydrodynamical cosmological simulation, Horizon-AGN, is used to investigate the alignment between the spin of galaxies and the cosmic filaments above redshift 1.2. The analysis of more than 150 000 galaxies per time step in the redshift range 1.2<z<1.8 with morphological diversity shows that the spin of low-mass blue galaxies is preferentially aligned with their neighbouring filaments, while high-mass red galaxies tend to have a perpendicular spin. The reorientation of the spin of massive galaxies is provided by galaxy mergers, which are significant in their mass build-up. We find that the stellar mass transition from alignment to misalignment happens around 3.10^10 M_sun. Galaxies form in the vorticity-rich neighbourhood of filaments, and migrate towards the nodes of the cosmic web as they convert their orbital angular momentum into spin. The signature of this process can be traced to the properties of galaxies, as measured relative to the cosmic web. We argue that a strong source of feedback such as active galactic nuclei is mandatory to quench in situ star formation in massive galaxies and promote various morphologies. It allows mergers to play their key role by reducing post-merger gas inflows and, therefore, keeping spins misaligned with cosmic filaments.

Search for a diffuse flux of astrophysical muon neutrinos with the IceCube 59-string configuration

Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology 89 (2014)

MG Aartsen, R Abbasi, M Ackermann, J Adams, JA Aguilar, M Ahlers, D Altmann, C Arguelles, TC Arlen, J Auffenberg, X Bai, M Baker, SW Barwick, V Baum, R Bay, JJ Beatty, JJ Beatty, J Becker Tjus, KH Becker, S Benzvi, P Berghaus, D Berley, E Bernardini, A Bernhard, DZ Besson, G Binder, G Binder, D Bindig, M Bissok, E Blaufuss, J Blumenthal, DJ Boersma, C Bohm, D Bose, S Böser, O Botner, L Brayeur, HP Bretz, AM Brown, R Bruijn, J Casey, M Casier, D Chirkin, A Christov, B Christy, K Clark, L Classen, F Clevermann, S Coenders, S Cohen, DF Cowen, DF Cowen, AH Cruz Silva, M Danninger, J Daughhetee, JC Davis, M Day, JPAM De André, C De Clercq, S De Ridder, P Desiati, KD De Vries, M De With, T Deyoung, JC Díaz-Vélez, M Dunkman, R Eagan, B Eberhardt, B Eichmann, J Eisch, S Euler, PA Evenson, O Fadiran, AR Fazely, A Fedynitch, J Feintzeig, T Feusels, K Filimonov, C Finley, T Fischer-Wasels, S Flis, A Franckowiak, K Frantzen, T Fuchs, TK Gaisser, J Gallagher, L Gerhardt, L Gerhardt, L Gladstone, T Glüsenkamp, A Goldschmidt, G Golup, JG Gonzalez, JA Goodman, D Góra, DT Grandmont, D Grant, P Gretskov, JC Groh, A Groß

A search for high-energy neutrinos was performed using data collected by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory from May 2009 to May 2010, when the array was running in its 59-string configuration. The data sample was optimized to contain muon neutrino induced events with a background contamination of atmospheric muons of less than 1%. These data, which are dominated by atmospheric neutrinos, are analyzed with a global likelihood fit to search for possible contributions of prompt atmospheric and astrophysical neutrinos, neither of which have yet been identified. Such signals are expected to follow a harder energy spectrum than conventional atmospheric neutrinos. In addition, the zenith angle distribution differs for astrophysical and atmospheric signals. A global fit of the reconstructed energies and directions of observed events is performed, including possible neutrino flux contributions for an astrophysical signal and atmospheric backgrounds as well as systematic uncertainties of the experiment and theoretical predictions. The best fit yields an astrophysical signal flux for νμ+ν̄μ of E2·Φ(E)=0.25×10-8GeVcm-2s-1sr-1, and a zero prompt component. Although the sensitivity of this analysis for astrophysical neutrinos surpasses the Waxman and Bahcall upper bound, the experimental limit at 90% confidence level is a factor of 1.5 above at a flux of E2·Φ(E)=1.44×10-8GeVcm-2s-1sr-1. © 2014 American Physical Society.

Compact laser accelerators for X-ray phase-contrast imaging

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 372 (2014)

Z Najmudin, S Kneip, MS Bloom, SPD Mangles, O Chekhlov, AE Dangor, A Dopp, K Ertel, SJ Hawkes, J Holloway, CJ Hooker, J Jiang, NC Lopes, H Nakamura, PA Norreys, PP Rajeev, C Russo, MJV Streeter, DR Symes, M Wing

Advances in X-ray imaging techniques have been driven by advances in novel X-ray sources. The latest fourth-generation X-ray sources can boast large photon fluxes at unprecedented brightness. However, the large size of these facilities means that these sources are not available for everyday applications. With advances in laser plasma acceleration, electron beams can now be generated at energies comparable to those used in light sources, but in university-sized laboratories. By making use of the strong transverse focusing of plasma accelerators, bright sources of betatron radiation have been produced. Here, we demonstrate phase-contrast imaging of a biological sample for the first time by radiation generated by GeV electron beams produced by a laser accelerator. The work was performed using a greater than 300TW laser, which allowed the energy of the synchrotron source to be extended to the 10100 keV range. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Electron-ion equilibration in ultrafast heated graphite.

Physical review letters 112 (2014) 145005-

TG White, NJ Hartley, B Borm, BJ Crowley, JW Harris, DC Hochhaus, T Kaempfer, K Li, P Neumayer, LK Pattison, F Pfeifer, S Richardson, AP Robinson, I Uschmann, G Gregori

We have employed fast electrons produced by intense laser illumination to isochorically heat thermal electrons in solid density carbon to temperatures of ∼10,000  K. Using time-resolved x-ray diffraction, the temperature evolution of the lattice ions is obtained through the Debye-Waller effect, and this directly relates to the electron-ion equilibration rate. This is shown to be considerably lower than predicted from ideal plasma models. We attribute this to strong ion coupling screening the electron-ion interaction.

Focus on high energy density physics

New Journal of Physics 16 (2014)

R Paul Drake, P Norreys, P Norreys

High-energy-density physics concerns the behavior of systems at high pressure, often involving the interplay of plasma, relativistic, quantum mechanical and electromagnetic effects. The field is growing rapidly in its scope of activity thanks to advances in experimental, laser and computational technologies. This 'focus on' collection presents papers discussing forefront research that spans the field, providing a sense of its breadth and of the interlinking of its parts. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.

Effects of Large-Angle Coulomb Collisions on Inertial Confinement Fusion Plasmas

PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS AMER PHYSICAL SOC 112 (2014) ARTN 245002

AE Turrell, M Sherlock, SJ Rose

In-depth Plasma-Wave Heating of Dense Plasma Irradiated by Short Laser Pulses

PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS AMER PHYSICAL SOC 113 (2014) ARTN 255001

M Sherlock, EG Hill, RG Evans, SJ Rose, W Rozmus

Non-thermal enhancement of electron–positron pair creation in burning thermonuclear laboratory plasmas

High Energy Density Physics 13 (2014) C

EG Hill, SJ Rose

Do high-redshift quasars have powerful jets?

MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 442 (2014) L81-L84

AC Fabian, SA Walker, A Celotti, G Ghisellini, P Mocz, KM Blundell, RG McMahon

A current driven electromagnetic mode in sheared and toroidal configurations (vol 56, 035011, 2014)

PLASMA PHYSICS AND CONTROLLED FUSION 56 (2014) ARTN 129501

I Pusztai, PJ Catto, FI Parra, M Barnes

How the cosmic web induces intrinsic alignments of galaxies

ArXiv (2014)

S Codis, Y Dubois, C Pichon, J Devriendt, A Slyz

Intrinsic alignments are believed to be a major source of systematics for future generation of weak gravitational lensing surveys like Euclid or LSST. Direct measurements of the alignment of the projected light distribution of galaxies in wide field imaging data seem to agree on a contamination at a level of a few per cent of the shear correlation functions, although the amplitude of the effect depends on the population of galaxies considered. Given this dependency, it is difficult to use dark matter-only simulations as the sole resource to predict and control intrinsic alignments. We report here estimates on the level of intrinsic alignment in the cosmological hydrodynamical simulation Horizon-AGN that could be a major source of systematic errors in weak gravitational lensing measurements. In particular, assuming that the spin of galaxies is a good proxy for their ellipticity, we show how those spins are spatially correlated and how they couple to the tidal field in which they are embedded. We also present theoretical calculations that illustrate and qualitatively explain the observed signals.