118628342
A QUANTITATIVE MODEL FOR DRIFTING SUBPULSES IN PSR B0809+74
In this paper, we analyze high time resolution single-pulse data of PSR B0809+74 at 820 MHz. We compare the subpulse phase behavior, undocumented at 820 MHz, with previously published results. The subpulse period changes over time and we measure a subpulse phase jump, when visible, that ranges from 95° to 147°. We find a correlation between the subpulse modulation, subpulse phase, and orthogonal polarization modes. This variety of complicated behavior is not well understood and is not easily explained within the framework of existing models, most of which are founded on the drifting spark model of Ruderman & Sutherland. We quantitatively fit our data with a non-radial oscillation model of Clemens & Rosen and show that the model can accurately reproduce the drifting subpulses, orthogonal polarization modes, subpulse phase jump, and can explain the correlation between all these features.
119185430
Two New Variable Hot DQ Stars
We have discovered periodic variations in the light curves of two hot DQ stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, SDSS J220029.08–074121.5 and SDSS J234843.30–094245.3. These are the second and third variables detected among the hot DQs and confirm the existence of a new class of variable white dwarf stars. The amplitudes of the variations are one half as large as those detected in the first discovered variable, SDSS J142625.71+575218.3, and required high signal-to-noise photometry to detect. The pulse shapes of the stars are not like those of known white dwarf pulsators but are similar to the first hot DQ variable, SDSS J142625.71+575218.3.
15828412
A Quantitative Nonradial Oscillation Model for the Subpulses in PSR B0943+10
In this paper we analyze time series measurements of PSR B0943+10 and fit them with a nonradial oscillation model. The model we apply was first developed for total intensity measurements in an earlier paper, and expanded to encompass linear polarization in a companion paper to this one. We use PSR B0943+10 for the initial tests of our model because it has a simple geometry, it has been exhaustively studied in the literature, and its behavior is well documented. As prelude to quantitative fitting, we have reanalyzed previously published archival data of PSR B0943+10 and uncovered subtle but significant behavior that is difficult to explain in the framework of the drifting-spark model. Our fits of a nonradial oscillation model are able to successfully reproduce the observed behavior in this pulsar.
14056795
A new technique for timing the double pulsar system
In 2004, McLaughlin et al. discovered a phenomenon in the radio emission of PSR J0737-3039B (B) that resembles drifting subpulses. The repeat rate of the subpulses is equal to the spin frequency of PSR J0737-3039A (A); this led to the suggestion that they are caused by incidence upon B's magnetosphere of electromagnetic radiation from A. Here, we describe a geometrical model which predicts the delay of B's subpulses relative to A's radio pulses. We show that measuring these delays is equivalent to tracking A's rotation from the point of view of a hypothetical observer located near B. This has three main astrophysical applications: (i) to determine the sense of rotation of A relative to its orbital plane, (ii) to estimate where in B's magnetosphere the radio subpulses are modulated and (iii) to provide an independent estimate of the mass ratio of A and B. The latter might improve existing tests of gravitational theories using this system.
118528110
The Pulsar Search Collaboratory.
The Pulsar Search Collaboratory [PSC, NSF #0737641] is a joint project between the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and West Virginia University (WVU) designed to interest high school students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] related career paths by helping them to conduct authentic scientific research. The 3- year PSC program, which began in summer 2008, teaches students to analyze astronomical radio data acquired with the 100-m Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope for the purpose of discovering new pulsars. We present the results of the first complete year of the PSC, which includes two astronomical discoveries.
1369515
A pulsational model for the orthogonal polarization modes in radio pulsars
In an earlier paper we introduced a model for pulsars in which nonradial oscillations of high spherical degree (l ) aligned to the magnetic axis of a spinning neutron star were able to reproduce subpulses like those observed in single-pulse measurements of pulsar intensity. The model did not address polarization, which is an integral part of pulsar emission. Observations show that many pulsars emit radio waves that appear to be the superposition of two linearly polarized emission modes with orthogonal polarization angles. In this paper we extend our model to incorporate linear polarization. As before, we propose that pulsational displacements of stellar material modulate the pulsar emission, but now we apply this modulation to a linearly polarized mode of emission, as might be produced by curvature radiation. We further introduce a second polarization mode, orthogonal to the first, that is modulated by pulsational velocities. We combine these modes in superposition to model the observed Stokes parameters in radio pulsars.
119240485
On non-linear actions for massive gravity
In this work we present a systematic construction of the potentially ghost-free non-linear massive gravity actions. The most general action can be regarded as a 2-parameter deformation of a minimal massive action. Further extensions vanish in 4 dimensions. The general mass term is constructed in terms of a “deformed” determinant from which this property can clearly be seen. In addition, our formulation identifies nondynamical terms that appear in previous constructions and which do not contribute to the equations of motion. We elaborate on the formal structure of these theories as well as some of their implications.
17029586
Vortex structure in charged condensate
We study magnetic fields in the charged condensate that we have previously argued should be present in helium-core white dwarf stars. We show that below a certain critical value the magnetic field is entirely expelled from the condensate, while for larger values it penetrates the condensate within flux-tubes that are similar to Abrikosov vortex lines; yet higher fields lead to the disruption of the condensate. We find the solution for the vortex lines in both relativistic and nonrelativistic theories that exhibit the charged condensation. We calculate the energy density of the vortex solution and the values of the critical magnetic fields. The minimum magnetic field required for vortices to penetrate the helium white dwarf cores ranges from roughly 107 to 109 Gauss. Fields of this strength have been observed in white dwarfs. We also calculate the London magnetic field due to the rotation of a dwarf star and show that its value is rather small.
122055328
Charge Screening in a Charged Condensate
We consider a highly dense system of helium-4 nuclei and electrons in which the helium-4 nuclei have condensed. We present the condensation mechanism in the framework of low energy effective field theory and discuss the screening of electric charge in the condensate.
119254994
Ghost-free massive gravity with a general reference metric
A bstractTheories of massive gravity inevitably include an auxiliary reference metric. Generically, they also contain an inconsistency known as the Boulware-Deser ghost. Recently, a family of non-linear massive gravity actions, formulated with a flat reference metric, were proposed and shown to be ghost free at the complete non-linear level. In this paper we consider these non-linear massive gravity actions but now formulated with a general reference metric. We extend the proof of the absence of the Boulware-Deser ghost to this case. The analysis is carried out in the ADM formalism at the complete non-linear level. We show that in these models there always exists a Hamiltonian constraint which, with an associated secondary constraint, eliminates the ghost. This result considerably extends the range of known consistent non-linear massive gravity theories. In addition, these theories can also be used to describe a massive spin-2 field in an arbitrary, fixed gravitational background. We also discuss the positivity of the Hamiltonian.
119118651
Phase transitions of charged scalars at finite temperature and chemical potential
We calculate the grand canonical partition function at the one-loop level for scalar quantum electrodynamics at finite temperature and chemical potential. A classical background charge density with a charge opposite that of the scalars ensures the neutrality of the system. For low density systems we find evidence of a first order phase transition. We find upper and lower bounds on the transition temperature below which the charged scalars form a condensate. A first order phase transition may have consequences for helium-core white dwarf stars in which it has been argued that such a condensate of charged helium-4 nuclei could exist.