arXiv subjects

C. Barbieri

Publications and source records attributed to C. Barbieri.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Ab-initio Gorkov-Green's function calculations of open-shell nuclei

We present results from a new ab-initio method that uses the self-consistent Gorkov Green's function theory to address truly open-shell systems. The formalism has been recently worked out up to second order and is implemented here in nuclei for the first time on the basis of realistic nuclear forces. We find good convergence of the results with respect to the basis size in Ca44 and Ni74 and discuss quantities of experimental interest including ground-state energies, pairing gaps and particle addition/removal spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that the Gorkov method is a valid alternative to multireference approaches for tackling degenerate or near degenerate quantum systems. In particular, it increases the number of mid-mass nuclei accessible in an ab-initio fashion from a few tens to a few hundreds.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

The Cratering History of Asteroid (21) Lutetia

The European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft passed by the main belt asteroid (21) Lutetia the 10th July 2010. With its ~100km size, Lutetia is one of the largest asteroids ever imaged by a spacecraft. During the flyby, the on-board OSIRIS imaging system acquired spectacular images of Lutetia's northern hemisphere revealing a complex surface scarred by numerous impact craters, reaching the maximum dimension of about 55km. In this paper, we assess the cratering history of the asteroid. For this purpose, we apply current models describing the formation and evolution of main belt asteroids, that provide the rate and velocity distributions of impactors. These models, coupled with appropriate crater scaling laws, allow us to interpret the observed crater size-frequency distribution (SFD) and constrain the cratering history. Thanks to this approach, we derive the crater retention age of several regions on Lutetia, namely the time lapsed since their formation or global surface reset. We also investigate the influence of various factors -like Lutetia's bulk structure and crater obliteration- on the observed crater SFDs and the estimated surface ages. From our analysis, it emerges that Lutetia underwent a complex collisional evolution, involving major local resurfacing events till recent times. The difference in crater density between the youngest and oldest recognized units implies a difference in age of more than a factor of 10. The youngest unit (Beatica) has an estimated age of tens to hundreds of Myr, while the oldest one (Achaia) formed during a period when the bombardment of asteroids was more intense than the current one, presumably around 3.6Gyr ago or older.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2011

Ab-initio self-consistent Gorkov-Green's function calculations of semi-magic nuclei - I. Formalism at second order with a two-nucleon interaction

An ab-initio calculation scheme for finite nuclei based on self-consistent Green's functions in the Gorkov formalism is developed. It aims at describing properties of doubly-magic and semi-magic nuclei employing state-of-the-art microscopic nuclear interactions and explicitly treating pairing correlations through the breaking of U(1) symmetry associated with particle number conservation. The present paper introduces the formalism, necessary to undertake applications at (self-consistent) second-order using two-nucleon interactions, in a detailed and self-contained fashion. First applications of such a scheme will be reported soon in a forthcoming publication. Future works will extend the present scheme to include three-nucleon interactions and implement more advanced truncation schemes.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2011

Microscopic self-energy calculations and dispersive optical-model potentials

Nucleon self-energies for 40Ca, 48Ca, 60Ca isotopes are generated with the microscopic Faddeev-random-phase approximation (FRPA). These self-energies are compared with potentials from the dispersive optical model (DOM) that were obtained from fitting elastic-scattering and bound-state data for 40Ca and 48Ca. The \textit{ab initio} FRPA is capable of explaining many features of the empirical DOM potentials including their nucleon asymmetry dependence. The comparison furthermore provides several suggestions to improve the functional form of the DOM potentials, including among others the exploration of parity and angular momentum dependence. The non-locality of the FRPA imaginary self-energy, illustrated by a substantial orbital angular momentum dependence, suggests that future DOM fits should consider this feature explicitly. The roles of the nucleon-nucleon tensor force and charge-exchange component in generating the asymmetry dependence of the FPRA self-energies are explored. The global features of the FRPA self-energies are not strongly dependent on the choice of realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2010

The Crab pulsar seen with Aqueye at Asiago Cima Ekar Observatory

We are developing fast photon-counter instruments to study the rapid variability of astrophysical sources by time tagging photon arrival times with unprecedented accuracy, making use of a Rubidium clock and GPS receiver. The first realization of such optical photon-counters, dubbed Aqueye (the Asiago Quantum Eye), was mounted in 2008 at the 182cm Copernicus Observatory in Asiago. Aqueye observed the Crab pulsar several times and collected data of extraordinary quality that allowed us to perform accurate optical timing of the Crab pulsar and to study the pulse shape stability on a timescale from days to years with an excellent definition. Our results reinforce the evidence for decadal stability of the inclination angle between the spin and magnetic axis of the Crab pulsar. Future realizations of our instrument will make use of the Galileo Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) time signal.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

The optical light curve of the LMC pulsar B0540-69 in 2009

This paper reports a detailed analysis of the optical light curve of PSR B0540-69, the second brightest pulsar in the visible band, obtained in 2009 (Jan. 18 and 20, and Dec. 14, 15, 16, 18) with the very high speed photon counting photometer Iqueye mounted at the ESO 3.6-m NTT in La Silla (Chile). The optical light curve derived by Iqueye shows a double structure in the main peak, with a raising edge steeper than the trailing edge. The double peak can be fitted by two Gaussians with the same height and FWHM of 13.3 and 15.5 ms respectively. Our new values of spin frequencies allow to extend by 3.5 years the time interval over which a reliable estimate of frequency first and second derivatives can be performed. A discussion of implications on the braking index and age of the pulsar is carried out. A value of n = 2.087 +/- 0.007 for the overall braking index from 1987 to 2009 is derived. The braking index corrected age is confirmed around 1700 years.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

First orbital solution for the non-thermal emitter Cyg OB2 #9

After the first detection of its binary nature, the spectroscopic monitoring of the non-thermal radio emitter Cyg OB2 #9 (P=2.4yrs) has continued, doubling the number of available spectra of the star. Since the discovery paper of 2008, a second periastron passage has occurred in February 2009. Using a variety of techniques, the radial velocities could be estimated and a first, preliminary orbital solution was derived from the HeI5876 line. The mass ratio appears close to unity and the eccentricity is large, 0.7--0.75. X-ray data from 2004 and 2007 are also analyzed in quest of peculiarities linked to binarity. The observations reveal no large overluminosity nor strong hardness, but it must be noted that the high-energy data were taken after the periastron passage, at a time where colliding wind emission may be low. Some unusual X-ray variability is however detected, with a 10% flux decrease between 2004 and 2007. To clarify their origin and find a more obvious signature of the wind-wind collision, additional data, taken at periastron and close to it, are needed.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

One- and Two-Nucleon Structure form Green's Function Theory

We review some applications of self-consistent Green's function theory to studies of one- and two-nucleon structure in finite nuclei. Large-scale microscopic calculations that employ realistic nuclear forces are now possible. Effects of long-range correlations are seen to play a dominant role in determining the quenching of absolute spectroscopic factors. They also enhance considerably (e,e'pn) cross sections in superparallel kinematics, in agreement with observations.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2010

Accuracy of the Faddeev Random Phase Approximation for Light Atoms

The accuracy of the Faddeev random phase approximation (FRPA) method is tested by calculating the total and ionization energies of a set of light atoms up to Ar. Comparisons are made with the results of coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD), third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction [ADC(3)], and with the experiment. It is seen that even for two-electron systems, He and Be-2+, the inclusion of RPA effects leads to satisfactory results and therefore it does not over-correlate the ground state. The FRPA becomes progressively better for larger atomic numbers where it gives about 5 mH more correlation energy and it shifts ionization potentials by 2-10 mH, with respect to its sister method ADC(3). The corrections for ionization potentials consistently reduce the discrepancies with the experiment.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2010

The Cratering History of Asteroid (2867) Steins

The cratering history of main belt asteroid (2867) Steins has been investigated using OSIRIS imagery acquired during the Rosetta flyby that took place on the 5th of September 2008. For this purpose, we applied current models describing the formation and evolution of main belt asteroids, that provide the rate and velocity distributions of impactors. These models coupled with appropriate crater scaling laws, allow the cratering history to be estimated. Hence, we derive Steins' cratering retention age, namely the time lapsed since its formation or global surface reset. We also investigate the influence of various factors -like bulk structure and crater erasing- on the estimated age, which spans from a few hundred Myrs to more than 1Gyr, depending on the adopted scaling law and asteroid physical parameters. Moreover, a marked lack of craters smaller than about 0.6km has been found and interpreted as a result of a peculiar evolution of Steins cratering record, possibly related either to the formation of the 2.1km wide impact crater near the south pole or to YORP reshaping.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2010

Inhomogeneities on the surface of 21 Lutetia, the asteroid target of the Rosetta mission

CONTEXT: In July 2010 the ESA spacecraft Rosetta will fly-by the main belt asteroid 21 Lutetia. Several observations of this asteroid have been so far performed, but its surface composition and nature are still a matter of debate. For long time Lutetia was supposed to have a metallic nature due to its high IRAS albedo. Later on it has been suggested to have a surface composition similar to primitive carbonaceous chondrite meteorites, while further observations proposed a possible genetic link with more evolved enstatite chondrite meteorites. AIMS: In order to give an important contribution in solving the conundrum of the nature of Lutetia, in November 2008 we performed visible spectroscopic observations of this asteroid at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG, La Palma, Spain). METHODS: Thirteen visible spectra have been acquired at different rotational phases. RESULTS: We confirm the presence of a narrow spectral feature at about 0.47-0.48 micron already found by Lazzarin et al. (2009) on the spectra of Lutetia. We also find a spectral feature at about 0.6 micron, detected by Lazzarin et al. (2004) on one of their Lutetia's spectra. More importantly, our spectra exhibit different spectral slopes between 0.6 and 0.75 micron and, in particular, we found that up to 20% of the Lutetia surface could have flatter spectra. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a variation of the spectral slopes at different rotational phases that could be interpreted as possibly due to differences in the chemical/mineralogical composition, as well as to inhomogeneities of the structure of the Lutetia's surface (e.g., the presence of craters or albedo spots) in the southern hemisphere.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2009

Role of Long-Range Correlations on the Quenching of Spectroscopic Factors

We consider the proton and neutron quasiparticle orbits around the closed-shell 56Ni and 48Ca isotopes. It is found that large model spaces (beyond the capability of shell-model applications) are necessary for predicting the quenchings of spectroscopic factors. The particle-vibration coupling is identified as the principal mechanism. Additional correlations--due to configuration with several particle-hole excitations--are estimated using shell-model calculations and generate an extra reduction which is < ~4% for most quasiparticle states. The theoretical calculations nicely agree with (e,e'p) and heavy ion knock-out experiments. These results open a new path for a microscopic understanding of the shell-model.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2009

Toward a Global Dispersive Optical Model for the Driplines

A dispersive-optical-model analysis has been performed for both protons and neutrons on 40,42,44,48Ca isotopes. The fitted potentials describe accurately both scattering and bound quantities and extrapolate well to other stable nuclei. Further experimental information will be gathered to constrain extrapolations toward the driplines.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2009

Toward an Ab-initio Description of Quasiparticle Properties

Preliminary ab-initio applications of many-body Green's functions theory to the ground state of He-4 suggest that high accuracy can be achieved in the so-called Faddeev-random-phase-approximation method. We stress the potentialities of this approach for microscopic studies of medium-large nuclei and report applications to 1s0d and 1p0f-shell nuclei. In particular, we discuss the role of long-range correlations on spectroscopic factors and their dependence on asymmetry.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2009

Knockout of proton-neutron pairs from $^{16}$O with electromagnetic probes

After recent improvements to the Pavia model of two-nucleon knockout from $^{16}$O with electromagnetic probes the calculated cross sections are compared to experimental data from such reactions. Comparison with data from a measurement of the $^{16}$O(e,e$'$pn) reaction show much better agreement between experiment and theory than was previously observed. In a comparison with recent data from a measurement of the $^{16}$O($γ$,pn) reaction the model over-predicts the measured cross section at low missing momentum.

nucl-ex↗

arXiv2009

Quasiparticle and quasihole states of nuclei around 56Ni

The single-particle spectral function of 56Ni has been computed within the framework of self-consistent Green's functions theory. The Faddeev random phase approximation method and the G-matrix technique are used to account for the effects of long- and short-range physics on the spectral distribution. Large scale calculations have been performed in spaces including up to ten oscillator shells. The chiral N3LO interaction is used together with a monopole correction that accounts for eventual missing three-nucleon forces. The single-particle energies associated with nucleon transfer to valence 1p0f orbits are found to be almost converged with respect to both the size of the model space and the oscillator frequency. The results support that 56Ni is a good doubly magic nucleus. The absolute spectroscopic factors to the valence states on A=55,57 are also obtained. For the transition between the ground states of 57Ni and 56Ni, the calculations nicely agree with heavy-ion knockout experiments.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2009

New Astrophysical Opportunities Exploiting Spatio-Temporal Optical Correlations

The space-time correlations of streams of photons can provide fundamentally new channels of information about the Universe. Today's astronomical observations essentially measure certain amplitude coherence functions produced by a source. The spatial correlations of wave fields has traditionally been exploited in Michelson-style amplitude interferometry. However the technology of the past was largely incapable of fine timing resolution and recording multiple beams. When time and space correlations are combined it is possible to achieve spectacular measurements that are impossible by any other means. Stellar intensity interferometry is ripe for development and is one of the few unexploited mechanisms to obtain potentially revolutionary new information in astronomy. As we discuss below, the modern use of stellar intensity interferometry can yield unprecedented measures of stellar diameters, binary stars, distance measures including Cepheids, rapidly rotating stars, pulsating stars, and short-time scale fluctuations that have never been measured before.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Method to measure off-axis displacements based on the analysis of the intensity distribution of a vortex beam

We study the properties of the Fraunhofer diffraction patterns produced by Gaussian beams crossing spiral phase plates. We show, both analytically and numerically, that off-axis displacements of the input beam produce asymmetric diffraction patterns. The intensity profile along the direction of maximum asymmetry shows two different peaks. We find that the intensity ratio between these two peaks decreases exponentially with the off-axis displacement of the incident beam, the decay being steeper for higher strengths of the optical singularity of the spiral phase plate. We analyze how this intensity ratio can be used to measure small misalignments of the input beam with a very high precision.

physics.optics↗