arXiv subjects

Colin Norman

Publications and source records attributed to Colin Norman.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

High Contrast Imaging with an Arbitrary Aperture: Active Correction of Aperture Discontinuities

We present a new method to achieve high-contrast images using segmented and/or on-axis telescopes. Our approach relies on using two sequential Deformable Mirrors to compensate for the large amplitude excursions in the telescope aperture due to secondary support structures and/or segment gaps. In this configuration the parameter landscape of Deformable Mirror Surfaces that yield high contrast Point Spread Functions is not linear, and non-linear methods are needed to find the true minimum in the optimization topology. We solve the highly non-linear Monge-Ampere equation that is the fundamental equation describing the physics of phase induced amplitude modulation. We determine the optimum configuration for our two sequential Deformable Mirror system and show that high-throughput and high contrast solutions can be achieved using realistic surface deformations that are accessible using existing technologies. We name this process Active Compensation of Aperture Discontinuities (ACAD). We show that for geometries similar to JWST, ACAD can attain at least 10^-7 in contrast and an order of magnitude higher for both the future Extremely Large Telescopes and on-axis architectures reminiscent of HST. We show that the converging non-linear mappings resulting from our Deformable Mirror shapes actually damp near-field diffraction artifacts in the vicinity of the discontinuities. Consequently, ACAD is a true broadband solution to the problem of high-contrast imaging with segmented and/or on-axis apertures. We finally show that once the non-linear solution is found, fine tuning with linear methods used in wavefront control can be applied to further contrast by another order of magnitude. Generally speaking, the ACAD technique can be used to significantly improve a broad class of telescope designs for a variety of problems.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Global star formation revisited

A general treatment of disk star formation is developed from a dissipative multi-phase model, with the dominant dissipation due to cloud collisions. The Schmidt-Kennicutt law emerges naturally for star-forming disks and starbursts. We predict that there should be an inverse correlation between Tully-Fisher law and Schmidt-Kennicutt law residuals. The model is extended to include a multi-phase treatment of supernova feedback that leads to a turbulent pressure-regulated generalization of the star formation law and is applicable to gas-rich starbursts. Enhanced pressure, as expected in merger-induced star formation, enhances star formation efficiency. An upper limit is derived for the disk star formation rate in starbursts that depends on the ratio of global ISM to cloud pressures. We extend these considerations to the case where the interstellar gas pressure in the inner galaxy is dominated by outflows from a central AGN. During massive spheroid formation, AGN-driven winds trigger star formation, resulting in enhanced supernova feedback and outflows. The outflows are comparable to the AGN-boosted star formation rate and saturate in the super-Eddington limit. Downsizing of both SMBH and spheroids is a consequence of AGN-driven positive feedback. Bondi accretion feeds the central black hole with a specific accretion rate that is proportional to the black hole mass. AGN-enhanced star formation is mediated by turbulent pressure and relates spheroid star formation rate to black hole accretion rate. The relation between black hole mass and spheroid velocity dispersion has a coefficient (Salpeter time to gas consumption time ratio) that provides an arrow of time. Highly efficient, AGN-boosted star formation can occur at high redshift.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2007

Density structure of the interstellar medium and the star formation rate in galactic disks

The probability distribution functions (PDF) of density of the ISM in galactic disks and global star formation rate are discussed. Three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations show that the PDFs in globally stable, inhomogeneous ISM in galactic disks are well fitted by a single log-normal function over a wide density range. The dispersion of the log-normal PDF (LN-PDF) is larger for more gas-rich systems, and whereas the characteristic density of LN-PDF, for which the volume fraction becomes the maximum, does not significantly depend on the initial conditions. %At the characteristic density, thermal pressure and kinetic %pressure due to turbulent motion are comparable, and the material is %statistically stagnated in a turbulent flow. Supposing the galactic ISM is characterized by the LN-PDF, we give a global star formation rate (SFR) as a function of average gas density, a critical local density for star formation, and star formation efficiency. We find that the observed SFR is well-fitted by the theoretical SFR in a wide range of the global gas density ($10 - 10^4 M_\odot$ pc$^{-2}$). Star formation efficiency (SFE) for high density gas ($n > 10^3$ cm$^{-3}$) is SFE $= 0.001 - 0.01$ for normal spiral galaxies, and SFE $= 0.01 - 0.1$ for starburst galaxies. The LN-PDF and SFR proposed here could be applicable for modeling star formation on a kpc-scale in galaxies or numerical simulations of galaxy formation, in which the numerical resolution is not fine enough to describe the local star formation.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

The X-Ray Derived Cosmological Star Formation History and the Galaxy X-Ray Luminosity Functions in the Chandra Deep Fields North and South

The cosmological star formation rate in the combined Chandra Deep Fields North and South is derived from our X-Ray Luminosity Function for Galaxies in these Deep Fields. Mild evolution is seen up to redshift order unity with SFR ~ (1 + z)^{2.7}. This is the first directly observed normal star-forming galaxy X-ray luminosity function (XLF) at cosmologically interesting redshifts (z>0). This provides the most direct measure yet of the X-ray derived cosmic star-formation history of the Universe. We make use of Bayesian statistical methods to classify the galaxies and the two types of AGN, finding the most useful discriminators to be the X-ray luminosity, X-ray hardness ratio, and X-ray to optical flux ratio. There is some residual AGN contamination in the sample at the bright end of the luminosity function. Incompleteness slightly flattens the XLF at the faint end of the luminosity function. The XLF has a lognormal distribution and agrees well with the radio and infrared luminosity functions. However, the XLF does not agree with the Schechter luminosity function for the H-alpha LF indicating that additional and different physical processes may be involved in the establishment of the lognormal form of the XLF. The agreement of our star formation history points with the other star formation determinations in different wavebands (IR, Radio, H-alpha) gives an interesting constraint on the IMF, and X-rays may be measuring directly the binary star formation history of the Universe. X-ray studies will continue to be useful for probing the star formation history of the universe by avoiding problems of obscuration. Star formation may therefore be measured in more detail by deep surveys with future x-ray missions.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

The Evolution of X-ray Clusters of Galaxies

Considerable progress has been made over the last decade in the study of the evolutionary trends of the population of galaxy clusters in the Universe. In this review we focus on observations in the X-ray band. X-ray surveys with the ROSAT satellite, supplemented by follow-up studies with ASCA and Beppo-SAX, have allowed an assessment of the evolution of the space density of clusters out to z~1, and the evolution of the physical properties of the intra-cluster medium out to z~0.5. With the advent of Chandra and Newton-XMM, and their unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution, these studies have been extended beyond redshift unity and have revealed the complexity of the thermodynamical structure of clusters. The properties of the intra-cluster gas are significantly affected by non-gravitational processes including star formation and Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) activity. Convincing evidence has emerged for modest evolution of both the bulk of the X-ray cluster population and their thermodynamical properties since redshift unity. Such an observational scenario is consistent with hierarchical models of structure formation in a flat low density universe with Omega_m=0.3 and sigma_8=0.7-0.8 for the normalization of the power spectrum. Basic methodologies for construction of X-ray-selected cluster samples are reviewed and implications of cluster evolution for cosmological models are discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

The Evolution of Cuspy Triaxial Galaxies Harboring Central Black Holes

We use numerical simulations to study the evolution of triaxial elliptical galaxies with central black holes. In contrast to earlier numerical studies which used galaxy models with central density ``cores,'' our galaxies have steep central cusps, like those observed in real ellipticals. As a black hole grows in these cuspy triaxial galaxies, the inner regions become rounder owing to chaos induced in the orbit families which populate the model. At larger radii, however, the models maintain their triaxiality, and orbital analyses show that centrophilic orbits there resist stochasticity over many dynamical times. While black hole induced evolution is strong in the inner regions of these galaxies, and reaches out beyond the nominal ``sphere of influence'' of a black hole, our simulations do not show evidence for a rapid {\it global} transformation of the host. The triaxiality of observed elliptical galaxies is therefore not inconsistent with the presence of supermassive black holes at their centers.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The Evolution of X-ray Clusters and the Entropy of the Intra Cluster Medium

The thermodynamics of the diffuse, X-ray emitting gas in clusters of galaxies is determined by gravitational processes associated with shock heating, adiabatic compression, and non-gravitational processes such as heating by SNe, stellar winds, activity in the central galactic nucleus, and radiative cooling. The effect of gravitational processes on the thermodynamics of the Intra Cluster Medium (ICM) can be expressed in terms of the ICM entropy S ~ ln(T/ρ^{2/3}). We use a generalized spherical model to compute the X-ray properties of groups and clusters for a range of initial entropy levels in the ICM and for a range of mass scales, cosmic epochs and background cosmologies. We find that the statistical properties of the X-ray clusters strongly depend on the value of the initial excess entropy. Assuming a constant, uniform value for the excess entropy, the present-day X-ray data are well fitted for the following range of values K_* = kT/μm_p ρ^{2/3} = (0.4\pm 0.1) \times 10^{34} erg cm^2 g^{-5/3} for clusters with average temperatures kT>2 keV; K_* = (0.2\pm 0.1) \times 10^{34} erg cm^2 g^{-5/3} for groups and clusters with average temperatures kT<2 keV. These values correspond to different excess energy per particle of kT \geq 0.1 (K_*/0.4\times 10^{34}) keV. The dependence of K_* on the mass scale can be well reproduced by an epoch dependent external entropy: the relation K_* = 0.8(1+z)^{-1}\times 10^{34} erg cm^2 g^{-5/3} fits the data over the whole temperature range. Observations of both local and distant clusters can be used to trace the distribution and the evolution of the entropy in the cosmic baryons, and ultimately to unveil the typical epoch and the source of the heating processes.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Detection of the Entropy of the Intergalactic Medium: Accretion Shocks in Clusters, Adiabatic Cores in Groups

The thermodynamics of the diffuse, X-ray emitting gas in clusters of galaxies is linked to the entropy level of the intra cluster medium. In particular, models that successfully reproduce the properties of local X-ray clusters and groups require the presence of a minimum value for the entropy in the center of X-ray halos. Such a minimum entropy is most likely generated by non-gravitational processes, in order to produce the observed break in self-similarity of the scaling relations of X-ray halos. At present there is no consensus on the level, the source or the time evolution of this excess entropy. In this paper we describe a strategy to investigate the physics of the heating processes acting in groups and clusters. We show that the best way to extract information from the local data is the observation of the entropy profile at large radii in nearby X-ray halos (z~0.1), both at the upper and lower extremes of the cluster mass scale. The spatially and spectrally resolved observation of such X-ray halos provides information on the mechanism of the heating. We demonstrate how measurements of the size of constant entropy (adiabatic) cores in clusters and groups can directly constrain heating models, and the minimum entropy value. We also consider two specific experiments: the detection of the shock fronts expected at the virial boundary of rich clusters, and the detection of the isentropic, low surface-brightness emission extending to radii larger than the virial ones in low mass clusters and groups. Such observations will be a crucial probe of both the physics of clusters and the relationship of non-gravitational processes to the thermodynamics of the intergalactic medium.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

On the Origin of Quasi-Periodic Oscillations and Broad-band Noise in Accreting Neutron Stars and Black Holes

Accreting neutron stars and black holes share a number of rapid variability characteristics, such as quasi-periodic oscillations and broad-band noise. The frequencies of these features were recently shown to be comparable to fundamental general relativistic frequencies of perturbed test-particle orbits near the compact objects. In this paper we propose a dynamical model for producing modulations in the inner disk properties at these characteristic frequencies. We postulate that a transition radius exists in the accretion disk close to the compact object and investigate its response to a broad spectrum of density fluctuations. We find that the transition radius acts as a low band-pass filter with a broadband response that is constant at frequencies lower than the inverse radial drift timescale and decreases above it as the inverse of the frequency. Moreover, the response shows strong resonances at frequencies nearly equal to the orbital, periastron-precession, and nodal-precession frequencies, thereby accounting for the observed power-density spectra of accreting compact objects and the correlations between their characteristic frequencies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

The Virtues of X-ray Clusters and the Entropy of Cosmic Baryons

The thermodynamics of the diffuse, X-ray emitting gas in clusters and groups of galaxies are affected by a certain amount of non-gravitational energy input, as indicated by the scaling properties of X-ray halos. Such a view has been recently confirmed by the detection of an excess entropy in the center of groups. It is not easy, however, to identify unambiguously the source and the epoch of such excess entropy. Here we show that the observations of high z clusters will help in reconstructing both the dynamic and the thermodynamic history of the diffuse cosmic baryons.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

The connection between X-ray Clusters and Star Formation

The properties of X-ray clusters of galaxies can be well understood in terms of a competition between shock heating and adiabatic compression. Strong shocks are expected to be important for massive clusters, while adiabatic compression is dominant for small clusters and groups. The scale of the shock/adiabatic transition is marked by a change of slope of the L-T relation and in the global properties of the emitting plasma. This scale is connected to star formation processes. Two quantities are crucial: the average energy injected in the IGM from stars and SNe, and the epoch of the energy injection. We show how these quantities can be synthesized in terms of specific entropy, which ultimately determines the X-ray emission from groups and clusters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Triaxial Halos and Cusps

We present $N$--body models for triaxial elliptical galaxies or halos of galaxies, which are fully self--gravitating, have near constant axis ratio as a function of radius and a $r^{-1}$ central density cusp. Preliminary investigation suggests the model are stable and orbit analysis shows no indication of chaotic orbits. The models provide a starting point for investigations into the evolution of triaxial figures of equilibrium, response of triaxial figures to central black holes, external perturbations and interactions.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Two-Phase Cooling Flows with Magnetic Reconnection

Motivated by the observations of high Faraday rotation measures measured in cooling flow clusters we propose a model relevant to plasmas with comparable thermal and magnetic pressures. Magnetic field reconnection may play a major role in changing the topology of the magnetic field in the central cooling flow regions. The effect of the topology change is that cool flux loops can reconnect to hot flux loops that are connected to the overall thermal reservoir of the cluster. There can be a rapid recycling of mass between hot and cold phases on a time scale of 3 x 10^8-10^9 yr which may reduce the inferred inflow and mass condensation rates by at least an order of magnitude. A central multiphase medium is a direct consequence of such a model. Throughout the cooling flow the filling factor of the hot loops (T > 2 x 10^7 K) is of order unity. The filling factor of the cool loops (T < 2 x 10^7 K) is 0.1-1% with a corresponding mass fraction of cold phase of 1-10%. A crucial parameter is the coherence length of the field relative to the cooling radius and the distribution of field energy with scale. When the cooling radius is greater than the field coherence length then cooling flows proceed as usual. When the coherence length is greater than the central cooling radius, however, the thermal energy of the reservoir can be tapped and the mass condensation rates may be very significantly reduced. Three additional conditions must be satisfied: I. Cold loops must be able to fall at least as far as the mean distance between hot loops in a cooling time; II. Loops must enter an evaporative phase on reconnecting; and III. A sufficient number of hot loops penetrate the cold phase region to power the radiative losses.

astro-ph↗