scholarly journals Impact of intrinsic polarization of Sgr A* historical flares on (polarization) properties of their X-ray echoes

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 4379-4385
Author(s):  
Ildar Khabibullin ◽  
Eugene Churazov ◽  
Rashid Sunyaev
Keyword(s):  
Primary Source ◽  
Molecular Complexes ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Radiation Mechanisms ◽  
Intrinsic Polarization ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Relative Line ◽  
Sgr A ◽  
The Moment

ABSTRACT Reflection of X-ray emission on molecular clouds in the inner ∼100 pc of our Galaxy reveals that, despite being extremely quiet at the moment, our supermassive black hole Sgr A* should have experienced bright flares of X-ray emission in the recent past. Thanks to the improving characterization of the reflection signal, we are able to infer parameters of the most recent flare(s) (age, duration, and luminosity) and relative line-of-sight disposition of the brightest individual molecular complexes. We show that combining these data with measurements of polarization in the reflected X-ray continuum will not only justify Sgr A* as the primary source but also allow deriving intrinsic polarization properties of the flare emission. This will help to identify radiation mechanisms and underlying astrophysical phenomena behind them. For the currently brightest reflecting molecular complex, Sgr A, the required level of sensitivity might be already accessible with upcoming X-ray polarimeters.

scholarly journals Characterization of Degenerate Configurations in Attitude Determination of Three-Vehicle Heterogeneous Formations

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4631
Author(s):  
Pedro Cruz ◽  
Pedro Batista
Keyword(s):  
Unique Solution ◽  
Multiple Solutions ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Number Of Solutions ◽  
Relative Line ◽  
Heterogeneous Formations ◽  
Heterogeneous Formation

The existence of multiple solutions to an attitude determination problem impacts the design of estimation schemes, potentially increasing the errors by a significant value. It is therefore essential to identify such cases in any attitude problem. In this paper, the cases where multiple attitudes satisfy all constraints of a three-vehicle heterogeneous formation are identified. In the formation considered herein, the vehicles measure inertial references and relative line-of-sight vectors. Nonetheless, the line of sight between two elements of the formation is restricted, and these elements are denoted as deputies. The attitude determination problem is characterized relative to the number of solutions associated with each configuration of the formation. There are degenerate and ambiguous configurations that result in infinite or exactly two solutions, respectively. Otherwise, the problem has a unique solution. The degenerate configurations require some collinearity between independent measurements, whereas the ambiguous configurations result from symmetries in the formation measurements. The conditions which define all such configurations are determined in this work. Furthermore, the ambiguous subset of configurations is geometrically interpreted resorting to the planes defined by specific measurements. This subset is also shown to be a zero-measure subset of all possible configurations. Finally, a maneuver is simulated to illustrate and validate the conclusions. As a result of this analysis, it is concluded that, in general, the problem has one attitude solution. Nonetheless, there are configurations with two or infinite solutions, which are identified in this work.

scholarly journals Glimpses of the past activity of Sgr A★ inferred from X-ray echoes in Sgr C

2018 ◽  
Vol 610 ◽  
pp. A34 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Chuard ◽  
R. Terrier ◽  
A. Goldwurm ◽  
M. Clavel ◽  
S. Soldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Monte Carlo Model ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Supermassive Black Hole ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sgr A ◽  
Past Activity

Context. For a decade now, evidence has accumulated that giant molecular clouds located within the central molecular zone of our Galaxy reflect X-rays coming from past outbursts of the Galactic supermassive black hole. However, the number of illuminating events as well as their ages and durations are still unresolved questions. Aims. We aim to reconstruct parts of the history of the supermassive black hole Sgr A★ by studying this reflection phenomenon in the molecular complex Sgr C and by determining the line-of-sight positions of its main bright substructures. Methods. Using observations made with the X-ray observatories XMM-Newton and Chandra and between 2000 and 2014, we investigated the variability of the reflected emission, which consists of a Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV and a Compton continuum. We carried out an imaging and a spectral analysis. We also used a Monte Carlo model of the reflected spectra to constrain the line-of-sight positions of the brightest clumps, and hence to assign an approximate date to the associated illuminating events. Results. We show that the Fe Kα emission from Sgr C exhibits significant variability in both space and time, which confirms its reflection origin. The most likely illuminating source is Sgr A★. On the one hand, we report two distinct variability timescales, as one clump undergoes a sudden rise and fall in about 2005, while two others vary smoothly throughout the whole 2000–2014 period. On the other hand, by fitting the Monte Carlo model to the data, we are able to place tight constraints on the 3D positions of the clumps. These two independent approaches provide a consistent picture of the past activity of Sgr A★, since the two slowly varying clumps are located on the same wavefront, while the third (rapidly varying) clump corresponds to a different wavefront, that is, to a different illuminating event. Conclusions. This work shows that Sgr A★ experienced at least two powerful outbursts in the past 300 yrs, and for the first time, we provide an estimation of their age. Extending this approach to other molecular complexes, such as Sgr A, will allow this two-event scenario to be tested further.

scholarly journals An X-ray survey of the central molecular zone: Variability of the Fe Kα emission line

2018 ◽  
Vol 612 ◽  
pp. A102 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Terrier ◽  
M. Clavel ◽  
S. Soldi ◽  
A. Goldwurm ◽  
G. Ponti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Line Emission ◽  
Molecular Complexes ◽  
Massive Black Hole ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Sgr A ◽  
Thermal Diffuse ◽  
Archive Data ◽  
Do So

There is now abundant evidence that the luminosity of the Galactic super-massive black hole (SMBH) has not always been as low as it is nowadays. The observation of varying non-thermal diffuse X-ray emission in molecular complexes in the central 300 pc has been interpreted as delayed reflection of a past illumination by bright outbursts of the SMBH. The observation of different variability timescales of the reflected emission in the Sgr A molecular complex can be well explained if the X-ray emission of at least two distinct and relatively short events (i.e. about 10 yr or less) is currently propagating through the region. The number of such events or the presence of a long-duration illumination are open questions. Variability of the reflected emission all over of the central 300 pc, in particular in the 6.4 keV Fe Kα line, can bring strong constraints. To do so we performed a deep scan of the inner 300 pc with XMM-Newton in 2012. Together with all the archive data taken over the course of the mission, and in particular a similar albeit more shallow scan performed in 2000–2001, this allows for a detailed study of variability of the 6.4 keV line emission in the region, which we present here. We show that the overall 6.4 keV emission does not strongly vary on average, but variations are very pronounced on smaller scales. In particular, most regions showing bright reflection emission in 2000–2001 significantly decrease by 2012. We discuss those regions and present newly illuminated features. The absence of bright steady emission argues against the presence of an echo from an event of multi-centennial duration and most, if not all, of the emission can likely be explained by a limited number of relatively short (i.e. up to 10 yr) events.

The Use of Advanced Analytical Techniques for Characterization of the Chemical, Physical, and Crystallographic Nature of a Surface

1973 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 132-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Herfert
Keyword(s):  
Surface Characterization ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Depth Of Penetration ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Scanning Electron

Studies of the nature of a surface, either metallic or nonmetallic, in the past, have been limited to the instrumentation available for these measurements. In the past, optical microscopy, replica transmission electron microscopy, electron or X-ray diffraction and optical or X-ray spectroscopy have provided the means of surface characterization. Actually, some of these techniques are not purely surface; the depth of penetration may be a few thousands of an inch. Within the last five years, instrumentation has been made available which now makes it practical for use to study the outer few 100A of layers and characterize it completely from a chemical, physical, and crystallographic standpoint. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) provides a means of viewing the surface of a material in situ to magnifications as high as 250,000X.

High Resolution Replication of Organoclay Surfaces

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 576-577
Author(s):  
W. W. Barker ◽  
W. E. Rigsby ◽  
V. J. Hurst ◽  
W. J. Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Clay Mineral ◽  
Organic Molecule ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Xrd Pattern ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Silicate Layers ◽  
Mineral Identification

Experimental clay mineral-organic molecule complexes long have been known and some of them have been extensively studied by X-ray diffraction methods. The organic molecules are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the clay minerals, or intercalated between the silicate layers. Natural organo-clays also are widely recognized but generally have not been well characterized. Widely used techniques for clay mineral identification involve treatment of the sample with H2 O2 or other oxidant to destroy any associated organics. This generally simplifies and intensifies the XRD pattern of the clay residue, but helps little with the characterization of the original organoclay. Adequate techniques for the direct observation of synthetic and naturally occurring organoclays are yet to be developed.

Digital x-ray mapping of nanometer-size supported bimetallic catalysts

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 530-531
Author(s):  
L. T. Germinario
Keyword(s):  
Background Radiation ◽  
Metal Cluster ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Beam Diameter ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Induced Changes

Understanding the role of metal cluster composition in determining catalytic selectivity and activity is of major interest in heterogeneous catalysis. The electron microscope is well established as a powerful tool for ultrastructural and compositional characterization of support and catalyst. Because the spatial resolution of x-ray microanalysis is defined by the smallest beam diameter into which the required number of electrons can be focused, the dedicated STEM with FEG is the instrument of choice. The main sources of errors in energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDS) are: (1) beam-induced changes in specimen composition, (2) specimen drift, (3) instrumental factors which produce background radiation, and (4) basic statistical limitations which result in the detection of a finite number of x-ray photons. Digital beam techniques have been described for supported single-element metal clusters with spatial resolutions of about 10 nm. However, the detection of spurious characteristic x-rays away from catalyst particles produced images requiring several image processing steps.

Plant Pathology Diagnosed by X-Ray Microanalysis

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 974-975
Author(s):  
J. H. Resau ◽  
N. Howell ◽  
S. H. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Plant Pathology ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Green Leaf ◽  
Parasitic Infestation ◽  
X Ray

Spinach grown in Texas developed “yellow spotting” on the peripheral portions of the leaves. The exact cause of the discoloration could not be determined as there was no evidence of viral or parasitic infestation of the plants and biochemical characterization of the plants did not indicate any significant differences between the yellow and green leaf portions of the spinach. The present study was undertaken using electron microscopy (EM) to determine if a micro-nutrient deficiency was the cause for the discoloration.Green leaf spinach was collected from the field and sent by express mail to the EM laboratory. The yellow and equivalent green portions of the leaves were isolated and dried in a Denton evaporator at 10-5 Torr for 24 hrs. The leaf specimens were then examined using a JEOL 100 CX analytical microscope. TEM specimens were prepared according to the methods of Trump et al.

EXELFS Studies of Carbon Fibers

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-73
Author(s):  
V. Serin ◽  
K. Hssein ◽  
G. Zanchi ◽  
J. Sévely
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fibers ◽  
Energy Analysis ◽  
Electron Excitation ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
High Modulus ◽  
Promising Technique ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Fine Structures ◽  
X Ray Absorption

The present developments of electron energy analysis in the microscopes by E.E.L.S. allow an accurate recording of the spectra and of their different complex structures associated with the inner shell electron excitation by the incident electrons (1). Among these structures, the Extended Energy Loss Fine Structures (EXELFS) are of particular interest. They are equivalent to the well known EXAFS oscillations in X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Due to the EELS characteristic, the Fourier analysis of EXELFS oscillations appears as a promising technique for the characterization of composite materials, the major constituents of which are low Z elements. Using EXELFS, we have developed a microstructural study of carbon fibers. This analysis concerns the carbon K edge, which appears in the spectra at 285 eV. The purpose of the paper is to compare the local short range order, determined by this way in the case of Courtauld HTS and P100 ex-polyacrylonitrile carbon fibers, which are high tensile strength (HTS) and high modulus (HM) fibers respectively.

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