arXiv subjects

A. K. Srivastava

Publications and source records attributed to A. K. Srivastava.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Role of Non-Ideal Dissipation with Heating-Cooling Misbalance on the Phase Shifts of Standing Slow Magnetohydrodynamic Waves

We analyse the phase shifts of standing, slow magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves in solar coronal loops using a linear MHD model taking into account the role of thermal conductivity, compressive viscosity, radiative losses, and heating-cooling misbalance. We estimate the phase shifts in time and space of density and temperature perturbations with respect to velocity perturbations and also calculate the phase difference between density and temperature perturbations. The overall significance of compressive viscosity is found to be negligible for most of the loops considered in the study. For loops with high background density and/or low background temperature, the role of radiative losses (with heating-cooling misbalance) is found to be more significant. Also the effect of heating-cooling misbalance with a temperature- and density-dependent heating function is found to be more significant in the case of longer loop lengths ($L=500$\, Mm). We derived a general expression for the polytropic index [$γ_{\rm eff}$] and found that under linear MHD the effect of compressive viscosity on polytropic index is negligible. The radiative losses with constant heating lead to a monotonic increase of $γ_{\rm eff}$ with increasing density whereas the consideration of an assumed heating function [$H(ρ,T) \propto ρ^{a}T^{b}$, where $a=-0.5$ and $b=-3$] makes the $γ_{\rm eff}$ peak at a certain loop density. We also explored the role of different heating functions by varying the free parameters $a$ and $b$ for a fixed loop of $ρ_0 = 10^{-11}$\, kg $\text{m}^{-3}$, $T_0 = 6.3$\, MK and loop length $L= 180$\, Mm. We find that the consideration of different heating functions [$H(ρ,T)$] leads to a significant variation in the phase difference between density and temperature perturbations; however, the polytropic index remains close to a value of 1.66.

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arXiv2021

Kink oscillations of coronal loops

Kink oscillations of coronal loops, i.e., standing kink waves, is one of the most studied dynamic phenomena in the solar corona. The oscillations are excited by impulsive energy releases, such as low coronal eruptions. Typical periods of the oscillations are from a few to several minutes, and are found to increase linearly with the increase in the major radius of the oscillating loops. It clearly demonstrates that kink oscillations are natural modes of the loops, and can be described as standing fast magnetoacoustic waves with the wavelength determined by the length of the loop. Kink oscillations are observed in two different regimes. In the rapidly decaying regime, the apparent displacement amplitude reaches several minor radii of the loop. The damping time which is about several oscillation periods decreases with the increase in the oscillation amplitude, suggesting a nonlinear nature of the damping. In the decayless regime, the amplitudes are smaller than a minor radius, and the driver is still debated. The review summarises major findings obtained during the last decade, and covers both observational and theoretical results. Observational results include creation and analysis of comprehensive catalogues of the oscillation events, and detection of kink oscillations with imaging and spectral instruments in the EUV and microwave bands. Theoretical results include various approaches to modelling in terms of the magnetohydrodynamic wave theory. Properties of kink oscillations are found to depend on parameters of the oscillating loop, such as the magnetic twist, stratification, steady flows, temperature variations and so on, which make kink oscillations a natural probe of these parameters by the method of magnetohydrodynamic seismology.

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arXiv2021

Evolution of Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability in the Fan-Spine Topology

We use multiwavelength imaging observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to study the evolution of Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability in a fan-spine magnetic field configuration. This magnetic topology exists near an active region AR12297 and is rooted in a nearby sunspot. In this magnetic configuration, two layers of cool plasma flow in parallel and interact with each other inside an elongated spine. The slower plasma flow (5 $km s^{-1}$) is the reflected stream along the spine field lines from the top, which interacts with the impulsive plasma upflows (114-144 km s$^{-1}$) from below. This process generates a shear motion and subsequent evolution of the K--H instability. The amplitude and characteristic wavelength of the K-H unstable vortices increase, satisfying the criterion of the fastest growing mode of this instability. We also describe that the velocity difference between two layers and velocity of K-H unstable vortices are greater than the Alfven speed in the second denser layer, which also satisfies the criterion of the growth of K-H instability. In the presence of the magnetic field and sheared counter streaming plasma as observed in the fan-spine topology, we estimate the parametric constant, $Λ\ge$1, that confirms the dominance of velocity shear and the evolution of the linear phase of the K-H instability. This observation indicates that in the presence of complex magnetic field structuring and flows, the fan-spine configuration may evolve into rapid heating, while the connectivity changes due to the fragmentation via the K-H instability.

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arXiv2021

The prominence driven forced reconnection in the solar corona and associated plasma dynamics

Using the multi-temperature observations from SDO/AIA on 30th December 2019, we provide a signature of prominence driven forced magnetic reconnection in the corona and associated plasma dynamics during 09:20 UT to 10:38 UT. A hot prominence segment erupts with a speed of 21 km/s and destabilises the entire prominence system. Thereafter, it rose upward in the north during 09:28 UT to 09:48 UT with a speed of 24 km/s. The eruptive prominence stretches overlying field lines upward with the speed of 27-28 km/s , which further undergo into the forced reconnection. The coronal plasma also flows in southward direction with the speed of 7 km/s, and both these inflows trigger the reconnection at 09:48 UT. Thereafter, the east and westward magnetic channels are developed and separated. The east-west reorganization of the magnetic fields starts creating bi-directional plasma outflows towards the limb with their respective speed of 28 km/s and 37 km/s. Their upper ends are diffused in the overlying corona, transporting another set of upflows with the speed of 22 km/s and 19 km/s. The multi-temperature plasma (Te=6.0-7.2) evolves and elongated upto a length of ~10^5 km on the reorganized fields. The hot plasma and remaining prominence threads move from reconnection region towards another segment of prominence in the eastward direction. The prominence-prominence/loop interaction and associated reconnection generate jet-like eruptions with the speed of 178-183 km/s. After the formation of jet, the overlying magnetic channel is disappeared in the corona.

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arXiv2021

Effect of Thermal Conductivity, Compressive Viscosity and Radiative Cooling on the Phase Shift of Propagating Slow Waves with and without Heating-Cooling Imbalance

We study phase shifts of the propagating slow waves in coronal loops invoking the effects of thermal conductivity, compressive viscosity, radiative losses and heating-cooling imbalance. We derive a general dispersion relation and solve it to determine phase shifts of density and temperature perturbations relative to the velocity and their dependence on equilibrium parameters ($ρ_0$, $T_0$). We estimate phase difference ($Δϕ$) between density and temperature perturbations and its dependence on $ρ_0$ and $T_0$. The effect of viscosity on the phase shifts was found negligible. The role of radiative losses along with h/c imbalance for chosen specific heating function ($H(ρ, T) \propto ρ^{-0.5} T^{-3}$) in determining phase shifts, is found to be significant for the high density and low temperature loops. The h/c imbalance can increase the phase difference ($Δϕ\approx 140^\circ$) for low temperature loops compared to the constant heating case ($Δϕ\approx 30^\circ$). We derive a general expression for the polytropic index. We find that in the presence of thermal conduction alone, the polytropic index remains close to its classical value for all the considered $ρ_0$ and $T_0$. However, it reduces to a value $1.2$ when loop density is decreased by an order of magnitude compared to its normal coronal value. We find that the inclusion of radiative losses, with or without h/c imbalance, cannot explain the observed polytropic index. The thermal ratio ($d$) needs to be enhanced by an order of magnitude, in order to explain its observed value $1.1 \pm 0.02$ in the solar loops. We also explore the role of different heating functions for typical coronal parameters and found that although the polytropic index remains close to its classical value, the phase difference is highly dependent on the form of heating function (The abstract is restructured for arxiv).

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arXiv2021

Numerical simulations of macrospicule jets under energy imbalance conditions in the solar atmosphere

Using numerical simulations, we study the effects of thermal conduction and radiative cooling on the formation and evolution of solar jets with some macrospicules features. We initially assume that the solar atmosphere is rarely in equilibrium through energy imbalance. Therefore, we test whether the background flows resulting from an imbalance between thermal conduction and radiative cooling influence the jets' behavior. In this particular scenario, we trigger the formation of the jets by launching a vertical velocity pulse localized at the upper chromosphere for the following test cases: i) adiabatic case; ii) thermal conduction case; iii) radiative cooling case; iv) thermal conduction + radiative cooling case. According to the test results, the addition of the thermal conduction results in smaller and hotter jets than in the adiabatic case. On the other hand, the radiative cooling dissipates the jet after reaching the maximum height ($\approx$ 5.5 Mm), making it shorter and colder than in the adiabatic and thermal conduction cases. Besides, the flow generated by the radiative cooling is more substantial than the caused by thermal conduction. Despite the energy imbalance of the solar atmosphere background, the simulated jet shows morphological features of macrospicules. Furthermore, the velocity pulse steepens into a shock that propagates upward into a solar corona that maintains its initial temperature. The shocks generate the jets with a quasi-periodical behavior that follows a parabolic path on time-distance plots consistent with macrospicule jets' observed dynamics.

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arXiv2021

Chromospheric Heating by MHD Waves and Instabilities

The importance of the chromosphere in the mass and energy transport within the solar atmosphere is now widely recognised. This review discusses the physics of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and instabilities in large-scale chromospheric structures as well as in magnetic flux tubes. We highlight a number of key observational aspects that have helped our understanding of the role of the solar chromosphere in various dynamic processes and wave phenomena, and the heating scenario of the solar chromosphere is also discussed. The review focuses on the physics of waves and invokes the basics of plasma instabilities in the context of this important layer of the solar atmosphere. Potential implications, future trends and outstanding questions are also delineated.

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arXiv2021

Role of Compressive Viscosity and Thermal Conductivity on the Damping of Slow Waves in the Coronal Loops With and Without Heating-Cooling Imbalance

In the present paper, we derive a new dispersion relation for slow magnetoacoustic waves invoking the effect of thermal conductivity, compressive viscosity, radiation and unknown heating term along with the consideration of heating cooling imbalance from linearized MHD equations. We solve the general dispersion relation to understand role of compressive viscosity and thermal conductivity in damping of the slow waves in coronal loops with and without heating cooling imbalance. We have analyzed wave damping for the range of loop length $L$=50-500 Mm, temperature $T$=5-30 MK, and density $ρ$=10$^{-11}$-10$^{-9}$ kg m$^{-3}$. It was found that inclusion of compressive viscosity along with thermal conductivity significantly enhances the damping of fundamental mode oscillations in shorter (e.g., $L$=50 Mm) and super-hot ($T>$10 MK) loops. However, role of the viscosity in damping is insignificant in longer (e.g., $L$=500 Mm) and hot loops (T$\leq$10 MK) where, instead, thermal conductivity along with the presence of heating cooling imbalance plays a dominant role. For the shorter loops at the super-hot regime of the temperature, increment in loop density substantially enhances damping of the fundamental modes due to thermal conductivity when the viscosity is absent, however, when the compressive viscosity is added the increase in density substantially weakens damping. Thermal conductivity alone is found to play a dominant role in longer loops at lower temperatures (T$\leq$10 MK), while compressive viscosity dominates in damping at super-hot temperatures ($T>$10 MK) in shorter loops. The predicted scaling law between damping time ($τ$) and wave period ($P$) is found to better match to observed SUMER oscillations when heating cooling imbalance is taken into account in addition to thermal conductivity and compressive viscosity for the damping of the fundamental slow mode oscillations.

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arXiv2020

Velocity Response of the Observed Explosive Events in the Lower Solar Atmosphere: I. Formation of the Flowing Cool Loop System

We observe plasma flows in cool loops using the Slit-Jaw Imager (SJI) onboard the Interface Region Imaging Spectrometer (IRIS). Huang et al. (2015) observed unusually broadened Si IV 1403 angstrom line profiles at the footpoints of such loops that were attributed to signatures of explosive events (EEs). We have chosen one such uni-directional flowing cool loop system observed by IRIS where one of the footpoints is associated with significantly broadened Si IV line profiles. The line profile broadening indirectly indicates the occurrence of numerous EEs below the transition region (TR), while it directly infers a large velocity enhancement /perturbation further causing the plasma flows in the observed loop system. The observed features are implemented in a model atmosphere in which a low-lying bi-polar magnetic field system is perturbed in the chromosphere by a velocity pulse with a maximum amplitude of 200 km/s. The data-driven 2-D numerical simulation shows that the plasma motions evolve in a similar manner as observed by IRIS in the form of flowing plasma filling the skeleton of a cool loop system. We compare the spatio-temporal evolution of the cool loop system in the framework of our model with the observations, and conclude that their formation is mostly associated with the velocity response of the transient energy release above their footpoints in the chromosphere/TR. Our observations and modeling results suggest that the velocity responses most likely associated to the EEs could be one of the main candidates for the dynamics and energetics of the flowing cool loop systems in the lower solar atmosphere.

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arXiv2019

Linkage of Geoeffective Stealth CMEs Associated with the Eruption of Coronal Plasma channel and Jet-Like Structure

We analyze the eruption of a coronal plasma channel (CPC) and an overlying flux rope using \textit{Atmospheric Imaging Assembly/Solar Dynamic Observatory} (AIA/SDO) and \textit{Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory} (STEREO)-A spacecraft data. The CPC erupted first with its low and very faint coronal signature. Later, above the CPC, a diffuse and thin flux rope also developed and erupted. The spreading CPC further triggered a rotating jet-like structure from the coronal hole lying to its northward end. This jet-like eruption may have evolved due to the interaction between spreading CPC and the open field lines of the coronal hole lying towards its northward foot-point. The CPC connected two small trans-equatorial coronal holes lying respectively in the northern and southern hemisphere on either side of the Equator. These eruptions were collectively associated with the stealth-type CMEs and CME associated with a jet-like eruption. The source region of the stealth CMEs lay between two coronal holes connected by a coronal plasma channel. Another CME was also associated with a jet-like eruption that occurred from the coronal hole in the northern hemisphere. These CMEs evolved without any low coronal signature and yet were responsible for the third strongest geomagnetic storm of Solar cycle 24. These stealth CMEs further merged and collectively passed through the interplanetary space. The compound CME further produced an intense geomagnetic storm (GMS) with Dst index= -176 nT. The $z$-component of the interplanetary magnetic field [$B_{z}$] switched to negative (-18 nT) during this interaction, and simultaneous measurement of the disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field (Kp=7) indicates the onset of the geomagnetic storm.

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arXiv2019

Propagation of Waves above a Plage as Observed by IRIS and SDO

Context. MHD waves are proposed to transport sufficient energy from the photosphere to heat the transition-region (TR) and corona. However, various aspects of these waves such as their nature, propagation characteristics and role in the atmospheric heating process remain poorly understood and are a matter of further investigation. Aims. We aim to investigate wave propagation within an active-region (AR) plage using IRIS and AIA observations. The main motivation is to understand the relationship between photospheric and TR oscillations. We plan to identify the locations in the plage region where magnetic flux tubes are essentially vertical, and further our understanding of the propagation and nature of these waves. Methods. We have used photospheric observations from AIA (i.e., AIA 1700 Å) as well as TR imaging observations (IRIS/SJI Si iv 1400.0 Å). We have investigated propagation of the waves into the TR from the photosphere using wavelet analysis (e.g., cross power, coherence and phase difference) with inclusion of a customized noise model. Results. Fast Fourier Transform(FFT) shows the distribution of wave power at photospheric & TR heights. Waves with periods between 2.0- and 9.0-minutes appear to be correlated between the photosphere and TR. We exploited a customized noise model to estimate 95% confidence levels for IRIS observations. On the basis of the sound speed in the TR and estimated propagation speed, these waves are best interpreted as the slow magneto acoustic waves (SMAW). It is found that almost all locations show correlation/propagation of waves over broad range of period from photosphere to TR. It suggests the wave's correlation/propagation spatial occurrence frequency is very high within the plage area.

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arXiv2019

On the observations of rapid forced reconnection in the solar corona

Using multiwavelength imaging observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on 03 May 2012, we present a novel physical scenario for the formation of a temporary X-point in the solar corona, where plasma dynamics is forced externally by a moving prominence. Natural diffusion was not predominant, however, a prominence driven inflow occurred firstly, forming a thin current sheet and thereafter enabling a forced magnetic reconnection at a considerably high rate. Observations in relation to the numerical model reveal that forced reconnection may rapidly and efficiently occur at higher rates in the solar corona. This physical process may also heat the corona locally even without establishing a significant and self-consistent diffusion region. Using a parametric numerical study, we demonstrate that the implementation of the external driver increases the rate of the reconnection even when the resistivity required for creating normal diffusion region decreases at the X-point. We conjecture that the appropriate external forcing can bring the oppositely directed field lines into the temporarily created diffusion region firstly via the plasma inflows as seen in the observations. The reconnection and related plasma outflows may occur thereafter at considerably larger rates.

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arXiv2019

Two-fluid numerical simulations of the origin of the fast solar wind

With the use of our JOANNA code, which solves radiative equations for ion + electron and neutral fluids, we perform realistic 2.5D numerical simulations of plasma outflows associated with the solar granulation. These outflows exhibit physical quantities consistent to the order of magnitude with the observational findings for mass and energy losses in the upper chromosphere, transition region and inner corona, and they may originate the fast solar wind.

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arXiv2019

Kinematics and Energetics of the EUV Waves on 11 April 2013

In this study, we present the observations of extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) waves associated with an M6.5 flare on 2013 April 11. The event was observed by Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in different EUV channels. The flare was also associated with a halo CME and type II radio bursts. We observed both fast and slow components of the EUV wave. The speed of the fast component, which is identified as a fast-mode MHD wave, varies in the range from 600 to 640 km s^-1 , whereas the speed of the slow-component is ~140 km s^-1 . We observed an unusual phenomenon that, as the fast-component EUV wave passes through two successive magnetic quasi-separatrix layers (QSLs), two stationary wave fronts are formed locally. We propose that part of the outward-propagating fast-mode EUV wave is converted into slow-mode magnetohydrodynamic waves, which are trapped in local magnetic field structures, forming successive stationary fronts. Along the other direction, the fast-component EUV wave also creates oscillations in a coronal loop lying ~225 Mm away from the flare site. We have computed the energy of the EUV wave to be of the order of 10^20 J.

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arXiv2019

The Evolution of Magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor Unstable Plumes and Hybrid KH-RT Instability into A Loop-like Eruptive Prominence

MRT unstable plumes are observed in a loop-like eruptive prominence using SDO/AIA observations. The small-scale cavities are developed within the prominence, where perturbations trigger dark plumes (P1 \& P2) propagating with the speed of 35-46 km s$^{-1} $. The self-similar plume formation shows initially the growth of linear MRT unstable plume (P1), and thereafter the evolution of non-linear single mode MRT unstable second plume (P2). The Differential Emission Measure (DEM) analysis shows that plumes are less denser and hotter than the prominence. We have estimated the observational growth rate for both plumes as 1.32$\pm$0.29$\times$ 10$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$ and 1.48$\pm$0.29$\times$ 10$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$ respectively, which are comparable to the estimated theoretical growth rate (1.95$\times$ 10$^{-3}$ s$^{-1}$) . The nonlinear phase of an MRT unstable plume (P2) may collapse via Kelvin-Helmholtz vortex formation in the downfalling plasma. Later, a plasma thread has been evident in the rising segment of this prominence. It may be associated with the tangled field and Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The tangled field initiates shearing at the prominence-cavity boundary. Due to this shear motion, the plasma downfall has occurred at the right part of the prominence-cavity boundary. It triggers the characteristic of KH unstable vortices and MRT unstable plasma bubbles propagating at different speeds and merging with each other. The shear motion and lateral plasma downfall may initiate hybrid KH-RT instability there.

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arXiv2018

The Extended Solar Cycle: Muddying the Waters of Solar/Stellar Dynamo Modeling Or Providing Crucial Observational Constraints?

In 1844 Schwabe discovered that the number of sunspots increased and decreased over a period of about 11 years, that variation became known as the sunspot cycle. Almost eighty years later, Hale described the nature of the Sun's magnetic field, identifying that it takes about 22 years for the Sun's magnetic polarity to cycle. It was also identified that the latitudinal distribution of sunspots resembles the wings of a butterfly showing migration of sunspots in each hemisphere that abruptly start at mid-latitudes towards the Sun's equator over the next 11 years. These sunspot patterns were shown to be asymmetric across the equator. In intervening years, it was deduced that the Sun (and sun-like stars) possess magnetic activity cycles that are assumed to be the physical manifestation of a dynamo process that results from complex circulatory transport processes in the star's interior. Understanding the Sun's magnetism, its origin and its variation, has become a fundamental scientific objective \-- the distribution of magnetism, and its interaction with convective processes, drives various plasma processes in the outer atmosphere. In the past few decades, a range of diagnostic techniques have been employed to systematically study finer scale magnetized objects, and associated phenomena. The patterns discerned became known as the ``Extended Solar Cycle'' (ESC). The patterns of the ESC appeared to extend the wings of the activity butterfly back in time, nearly a decade before the formation of the sunspot pattern, and to much higher solar latitudes. In this short review, we describe their observational patterns of the ESC and discuss possible connections to the solar dynamo as we depart on a multi-national collaboration to investigate the origins of solar magnetism through a blend of archived and contemporary data analysis with the goal of improving solar dynamo understanding and modeling.

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arXiv2018

Vertical Propagation of Acoustic Waves in the Solar Inter-Network as Observed by IRIS

We investigate the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) observations of the quiet-Sun (QS) to understand the propagation of acoustic waves in transition region (TR) from photosphere. We selected a few IRIS spectral lines, which include the photospheric (Mn~{\sc i} 2801.25~Å), chromospheric (Mg~{\sc ii} k 2796.35~Å) and TR (C~{\sc ii} 1334.53~Å), to investigate the acoustic wave propagation.The wavelet cross-spectrum reveals significant coherence (about 70\% locations) between photosphere and chromosphere. Few minutes oscillations (i.e., period range from 1.6 to 4.0 minutes) successfully propagate into chromosphere from photosphere, which is confirmed by dominance of positive phase lags. However, in higher period regime (i.e., greater than $\approx$ 4.5 minutes), the downward propagation dominates is evident by negative phase lags. The broad spectrum of waves (i.e., 2.5-6.0 minutes) propagates freely upwards from chromosphere to TR. We find that only about 45\% locations (out of 70\%) show correlation between chromosphere and TR. Our results indicate that roots of 3 minutes oscillations observed within chromosphere/TR are located in photosphere. Observations also demonstrate that 5 minute oscillations propagate downward from chromosphere. \textbf{However, some locations within QS also show successful propagation of 5 minute oscillations as revealed by positive phase lags, which might be the result of magnetic field}. In addition, our results clearly show that a significant power, within period ranging from 2.5 to 6.0 minutes, of solar chromosphere is freely transmitted into TR triggering atmospheric oscillations. Theoretical implications of our observational results are discussed.

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arXiv2018

Unexplored photoluminescence from bulk and mechanically exfoliated few layers of Bi2Te3

We report the exotic photoluminescence (PL) behaviour of 3D topological insulator Bi2Te3 single crystals grown by customized self-flux method and mechanically exfoliated few layers (18 plus minus 2 nm)/thin flakes obtained by standard scotch tape method from as grown Bi2Te3 crystals.The experimental PL studies on bulk single crystal and mechanically exfoliated few layers of Bi2Te3 evidenced a broad red emission in the visible region. These findings are in good agreement with our theoretical results obtained using the ab initio density functional theory framework.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗