arXiv subjects

C. Beck

Publications and source records attributed to C. Beck.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

An uncombed inversion of multi-wavelength observations reproducing the Net Circular Polarization in a sunspots' penumbra

I derived a geometrical model of the penumbral magnetic field topology from an uncombed inversion setup that aimed at reproducing the NCP of simultaneous spectra in near-IR (1.56 mu) and VIS (630 nm) spectral lines. I inverted the spectra of five photospheric lines with a model that mimicked vertically interlaced magnetic fields with two components, labeled background field and flow channels. The flow channels were modeled as a perturbation of the background field with a Gaussian shape using the SIRGAUS code. The location and extension of the Gaussian perturbation in the optical depth scale was then converted to a geometrical height scale. I investigated the relative amount of magnetic flux in the flow channels and the background field atmosphere. The uncombed model is able to reproduce the NCP well on the limb side of the spot and worse on the center side; the VIS lines are better reproduced than the near-IR lines. The Evershed flow happens along nearly horizontal field lines close to the solar surface. The magnetic flux that is related to the flow channels makes up about 20-50% of the total magnetic flux in the penumbra. The gradients obtainable by a Gaussian perturbation are too small for a perfect reproduction of the NCP in the IR lines with their small formation height range. Two peculiarities of the observed NCP, a sign change of the NCP of the VIS lines on the center side and a ring structure around the umbra in the Ti line at 630.37nm and the FeI line at 1565.2nm deserve closer attention. The large fraction of magnetic flux related to the flow channel component could allow to replenish the penumbral radiative losses in the flux tube picture.

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arXiv2010

Magneto-acoustic waves in sunspots from observations and numerical simulations

We study the propagation of waves from the photosphere to the chromosphere of sunspots. From time series of cospatial Ca II H (including its line blends) intensity spectra and polarimetric spectra of Si I 1082.7 nm and He I 1083.0 nm we retrieve the line-of-sight velocity at several heights. The analysis of the phase difference and amplification spectra shows standing waves for frequencies below 4 mHz and propagating waves for higher frequencies, and allows us to infer the temperature and height where the lines are formed. Using these observational data, we have constructed a model of sunspot, and we have introduced the velocity measured with the photospheric Si I 1082.7 nm line as a driver. The numerically propagated wave pattern fits reasonably well with the observed using the lines formed at higher layers, and the simulations reproduce many of the observed features. The observed waves are slow MHD waves propagating longitudinally along field lines.

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arXiv2010

Cluster Model For Reactions Induced By Weakly Bound And/Or Exotic Halo Nuclei With Medium-Mass Targets

An experimental overview of reactions induced by the stable, but weakly-bound nuclei 6Li, 7Li and 9Be, and by the exotic, halo nuclei 6He, 8He, 8B, and 11Be on medium-mass targets, such as 58Ni, 59Co or 64Zn, is presented. Existing data on elastic scattering, total reaction cross sections, fusion processes, breakup and transfer channels are discussed in the framework of a CDCC approach taking into account the breakup degree of freedom.

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arXiv2010

Multi-layer study of wave propagation in sunspots

We analyze the propagation of waves in sunspots from the photosphere to the chromosphere using time series of co-spatial Ca II H intensity spectra (including its line blends) and polarimetric spectra of Si I 10827 and the He I 10830 multiplet. From the Doppler shifts of these lines we retrieve the variation of the velocity along the line-of-sight at several heights. Phase spectra are used to obtain the relation between the oscillatory signals. Our analysis reveals standing waves at frequencies lower than 4 mHz and a continuous propagation of waves at higher frequencies, which steepen into shocks in the chromosphere when approaching the formation height of the Ca II H core. The observed non-linearities are weaker in Ca II H than in He I lines. Our analysis suggests that the Ca II H core forms at a lower height than the He I 10830 line: a time delay of about 20 s is measured between the Doppler signal detected at both wavelengths. We fit a model of linear slow magnetoacoustic wave propagation in a stratified atmosphere with radiative losses according to Newton's cooling law to the phase spectra and derive the difference in the formation height of the spectral lines. We show that the linear model describes well the wave propagation up to the formation height of Ca II H, where non-linearities start to become very important.

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arXiv2010

Two-dimensional solar spectropolarimetry with the KIS/IAA Visible Imaging Polarimeter

Spectropolarimetry at high spatial and spectral resolution is a basic tool to characterize the magnetic properties of the solar atmosphere. We introduce the KIS/IAA Visible Imaging Polarimeter (VIP), a new post-focus instrument that upgrades the TESOS spectrometer at the German VTT into a full vector polarimeter. VIP is a collaboration between the KIS and the IAA. We describe the optical setup of VIP, the data acquisition procedure, and the calibration of the spectropolarimetric measurements. We show examples of data taken between 2005 and 2008 to illustrate the potential of the instrument. VIP is capable of measuring the four Stokes profiles of spectral lines in the range from 420 to 700 nm with a spatial resolution better than 0.5". Lines can be sampled at 40 wavelength positions in 60 s, achieving a noise level of about 2 x 10E-3 with exposure times of 300 ms and pixel sizes of 0.17" x 0.17" (2 x 2 binning). The polarization modulation is stable over periods of a few days, ensuring high polarimetric accuracy. The excellent spectral resolution of TESOS allows the use of sophisticated data analysis techniques such as Stokes inversions. One of the first scientific results of VIP presented here is that the ribbon-like magnetic structures of the network are associated with a distinct pattern of net circular polarization away from disk center. VIP performs spectropolarimetric measurements of solar magnetic fields at a spatial resolution that is only slightly worse than that of the Hinode spectropolarimeter, while providing a 2D field field of view and the possibility to observe up to four spectral regions sequentially with high cadence. VIP can be used as a stand-alone instrument or in combination with other spectropolarimeters and imaging systems of the VTT for extended wavelength coverage.

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arXiv2010

A Peculiar Velocity Pattern in and near the Leading Sunspot of NOAA 10781: Wave Refraction by Large-Scale Magnetic Fields?

I report observations of unusually strong photospheric and chromospheric velocity oscillations in and near the leading sunspot of NOAA 10781 on 03 July 2005. I investigate an impinging wave as a possible origin of the velocity pattern, and the changes of the wave after the passage through the magnetic fields of the sunspot. The wave pattern found consists of a wave with about 3 Mm apparent wavelength that propagates towards the sunspot. This wave seems to trigger oscillations inside the sunspot's umbra, which originate from a location inside the penumbra on the side of the impinging wave. The wavelength decreases and the velocity amplitude increases by an order of magnitude in the chromospheric layers inside the sunspot. On the side of the sunspot opposite to the impinging plane wave, circular wave fronts centered on the umbra are seen propagating away from the sunspot outside its outer white-light boundary. They lead to a peculiar ring structure around the sunspot, which is visible in both velocity and intensity maps. The fact that only weak photospheric velocity oscillations are seen in the umbra - contrary to the chromosphere where they peak there - highlights the necessity to include the upper solar atmosphere in calculations of wave propagation through spatially and vertically extended magnetic field concentrations like sunspots.

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arXiv2010

Sub-barrier fusion of 32S+90,96Zr: semi-classical coupled-channels approach

The fusion excitation functions have been measured with rather good accuracy for 32S+90Zr and 32S+96Zr near and below the Coulomb barrier. The sub-barrier cross sections for 32S+96Zr are much larger compared with 32S+90Zr. Semi-classical coupled-channels calculations including two-phonon excitations are capable to describe sub-barrier enhancement only for 32S+90Zr. The remaining disagreement for 32S+96Zr comes from the positive Q-value intermediate neutron transfers in this system. The comparison with 40Ca+96Zr suggests that couplings to the positive Q-value neutron transfer channels may play a role in the sub-barrier fusion enhancement. A rather simple model calculation taking neutron transfers into account is proposed to overcome the discrepancies of 32S+96Zr.

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arXiv2010

Projectile breakup dynamics for $^{6}$Li + $^{59}$Co: kinematical analysis of $α$-$d$ coincidences

A study of the kinematics of the $α$-$d$ coincidences in the $^{6}$Li + $^{59}$Co system at a bombarding energy of $E_{lab} = 29.6$ MeV is presented. With exclusive measurements performed over different angular intervals it is possible to identify the respective contributions of the sequential projectile breakup and direct projectile breakup components. A careful analysis using a semiclassical approach of these processes provides information on both their lifetime and their distance of occurrence with respect to the target. Breakup to the low-lying (near-threshold) continuum is delayed, and happens at large internuclear distances. This suggests that the influence of the projectile breakup on the complete fusion process can be related essentially to direct breakup to the $^6$Li high-lying continuum spectrum. %

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arXiv2009

Magnetic loop emergence within a granule

We investigate the temporal evolution of magnetic flux emerging within a granule in the quiet-Sun internetwork at disk center. We combined IR spectropolarimetry performed in two Fe I lines at 1565 nm with speckle-reconstructed G-band imaging. We determined the magnetic field parameters by a LTE inversion of the full Stokes vector using the SIR code, and followed their evolution in time. To interpret the observations, we created a geometrical model of a rising loop in 3D. The relevant parameters of the loop were matched to the observations where possible. We then synthesized spectra from the 3D model for a comparison to the observations. We found signatures of magnetic flux emergence within a growing granule. In the early phases, a horizontal magnetic field with a distinct linear polarization signal dominated the emerging flux. Later on, two patches of opposite circular polarization signal appeared symmetrically on either side of the linear polarization patch, indicating a small loop-like structure. The mean magnetic flux density of this loop was roughly 450 G, with a total magnetic flux of around 3x10^17 Mx. During the ~12 min episode of loop occurrence, the spatial extent of the loop increased from about 1 to 2 arcsec. The middle part of the appearing feature was blueshifted during its occurrence, supporting the scenario of an emerging loop. The temporal evolution of the observed spectra is reproduced to first order by the spectra derived from the geometrical model. The observed event can be explained as a case of flux emergence in the shape of a small-scale loop.

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arXiv2009

Reaction mechanisms for weakly-bound, stable nuclei and unstable, halo nuclei on medium-mass targets

An experimental overview of reactions induced by the stable, but weakly-bound nuclei 6Li, 7Li and 9Be, and by the exotic, halo nuclei 6He, 8B, 11Be and 17F on medium-mass targets, such as 58Ni, 59Co or 64Zn, is presented. Existing data on elastic scattering, total reaction cross sections, fusion processes, breakup and transfer channels are discussed in the framework of a CDCC approach taking into account the breakup degree of freedom.

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arXiv2009

6Li direct breakup lifetimes

alpha-d coincidence data were studied for the 6Li + 59Co reaction at E(lab) = 29.6 MeV. By using a kinematic analysis, it was possible to identify which process, leading to the same final state, has the major contribution for each of the selected angular regions. Contributions of the 6Li sequential and direct breakup to the incomplete fusion/transfer process were discussed by considering the lifetimes obtained by using a semiclassical approach, for both breakup components.

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arXiv2009

Linear wavelength correlation matrices of photospheric and chromospheric spectral lines: 1. Observations vs. modeling

We investigate the linear correlation coefficient between the intensities at different wavelengths in photospheric and chromospheric spectral lines. Waves that propagate vertically through the stratified solar atmosphere affect different wavelengths at different times. This leads to a characteristic pattern of (non-)coherence of the intensity at various wavelengths. We derived the correlation matrices for several photospheric and chromospheric spectral lines from observations. For comparison with the observations, we calculate correlation matrices for spectra from LTE modeling approaches, 1-D NLTE simulations, and a 3-D MHD simulation run. We apply the correlation method also to temperature maps at different optical depth layers. We find that all photospheric spectral lines show a similar pattern: a pronounced asymmetry of the correlation between line core and red or blue wing. The pattern cannot be reproduced with a simulation of the granulation pattern, but with waves that travel upwards. All chromospheric spectral lines show a more complex pattern. In the case of Ca II H, the 1-D NLTE simulations of monochromatic waves produce a correlation matrix that qualitatively matches to the observations. The photospheric signature is well reproduced in the matrix derived from the 3-D MHD simulation. The correlation matrices of observed photospheric and chromospheric spectral lines are highly structured with characteristic and different patterns in every spectral line. The comparison with matrices derived from simulations and simple modeling suggests that the main driver of the detected patterns are upwards propagating waves. Application of the correlation method to 3-D temperature cubes seems to be a promising tool for a detailed comparison of simulation results and observations in future studies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Binary reaction decays from 24Mg+12C

Charged particle and gamma decays in 24Mg* are investigated for excitation energies where quasimolecular resonances appear in 12C+12C collisions. Various theoretical predictions for the occurence of superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands associated with resonance structures with low spin are discussed within the measured 24Mg* excitation energy region. The inverse kinematics reaction 24Mg+12C is studied at E_lab(24Mg) = 130 MeV, an energy which enables the population of 24Mg states decaying into 12C+12C resonant break-up states. Exclusive data were collected with the Binary Reaction Spectrometer in coincidence with EUROBALL IV installed at the VIVITRON Tandem facility at Strasbourg. Specific structures with large deformation were selectively populated in binary reactions and their associated gamma decays studied. Coincident events associated with inelastic and alpha-transfer channels have been selected by choosing the excitation energy or the entry point via the two-body Q-values. The analysis of the binary reaction channels is presented with a particular emphasis on 24Mg-gamma, 20Ne-gamma and 16O-gamma coincidences. New information (spin and branching ratios) is deduced on high-energy states in 24Mg and 16O, respectively.

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arXiv2009

The energy of waves in the photosphere and lower chromosphere: 1. Velocity statistics

Acoustic waves are one of the primary suspects besides magnetic fields for the chromospheric heating process to temperatures above radiative equilibrium (RE). We derived the mechanical wave energy as seen in line-core velocities to obtain a measure of mechanical energy flux with height for a comparison with the energy requirements in a semi-empirical atmosphere model. We analyzed a 1-hour time series and a large-area map of Ca II H spectra on the traces of propagating waves. We analyzed the velocity statistics of several spectral lines in the wing of Ca II H, and the line-core velocity of Ca II H. We converted the velocity amplitudes into volume and mass energy densities. For comparison, we used the increase of internal energy necessary to lift a RE atmosphere to the HSRA temperature stratification. We find that the velocity amplitude grows in agreement with linear wave theory and thus slower with height than predicted from energy conservation. The mechanical energy of the waves above around z~500 km is insufficient to maintain the chromospheric temperature rise in the semi-empirical HSRA model. The intensity variations of the Ca line core (z~1000 km) can be traced back to the velocity variations of the lowermost forming spectral line considered (z~ 250 km). The chromospheric intensity, and hence, (radiation) temperature variations are seen to be induced by passing waves originating in the photosphere.

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arXiv2009

Reaction mechanisms in the 6Li+59Co system

The reactions induced by the weakly bound 6Li projectile interacting with the intermediate mass target 59Co were investigated. Light charged particles singles and $α$-$d$ coincidence measurements were performed at the near barrier energies E_lab = 17.4, 21.5, 25.5 and 29.6 MeV. The main contributions of the different competing mechanisms are discussed. A statistical model analysis, Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels calculations and two-body kinematics were used as tools to provide information to disentangle the main components of these mechanisms. A significant contribution of the direct breakup was observed through the difference between the experimental sequential breakup cross section and the CDCC prediction for the non-capture breakup cross section.

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arXiv2008

Reaction mechanisms in 24Mg+12C and 32S+24Mg

The occurence of "exotic" shapes in light N=Z alpha-like nuclei is investigated for 24Mg+12C and 32S+24Mg. Various approaches of superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands associated with quasimolecular resonant structures with low spin are presented. For both reactions, exclusive data were collected with the Binary Reaction Spectrometer in coincidence with EUROBALL IV installed at the VIVITRON Tandem facility of Strasbourg. Specific structures with large deformation were selectively populated in binary reactions and their associated $γ$-decays studied. The analysis of the binary and ternary reaction channels is discussed.

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arXiv2008

Influence of Neutron Enrichment on Disintegration Modes of Compound Nuclei

Cross sections, kinetic energy and angular distributions of fragments with charge 6$\le$Z$\le$28 emitted in 78,82Kr+40C at 5.5 MeV/A reactions were measured at the GANIL facility using the INDRA apparatus. This experiment aims to investigate the influence of the neutron enrichment on the decay mechanism of excited nuclei. Data are discussed in comparison with predictions of transition state and Hauser-Feshbach models.

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arXiv2008

Alpha-Cluster States Populated in 24Mg+12C

Charged particle and gamma decays in light alpha-like nuclei are investigated for 24Mg+12C. Various theoretical predictions for the occurence of superdeformed and hyperdeformed bands associated with resonance structures with low spin are presented. The inverse kinematics reaction 24Mg+12C is studied at Elab(24Mg) = 130 MeV. Exclusive data were collected with the Binary Reaction Spectrometer in coincidence with EUROBALL IV installed at the VIVITRON Tandem facility at Strasbourg. Specific structures with large deformation were selectively populated in binary reactions and their associated gamma decays studied. Coincident events from $α$-transfer channels were selected by choosing the excitation energy or the entry point via the two-body Q-values. The analysis of the binary reaction channels is presented with a particular emphasis on 20Ne-gamma and 16O-gamma coincidences.

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