arXiv subjects

F. K. Sutaria

Publications and source records attributed to F. K. Sutaria.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2003

Deep optical observations of the fields of two nearby millisecond pulsars with the VLT

We report on deep VLT observations of the fields of two nearby, isolated millisecond pulsars PSR J1744-1134 and PSR J1024-0719. Both objects are old neutron stars with characteristic age $τ\ge 10^9$ yr and have relatively high spin-down flux. They have been detected earlier as X-ray sources by ROSAT HRI observations and were considered good candidates for non-thermal emission in the optical bands. Our observations set an upper limit of $B=26.9$, $V=26.3$ and $R=26.0$ for PSR J1744-1134. In the case of PSR J1024-0719, we find two faint objects near the radio position of the pulsar. Using multi-band photometry from the VLT and spectroscopy carried out with the Magellan I telescope, we discuss the nature of the brighter object and the possibility of the fainter one being the optical counterpart of PSR J1024-0719. We consider the implications of our findings for both pulsars in the context of theoretical models of high-energy emission from old pulsars.

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arXiv2002

The nature of the prompt X-ray and radio emission from SN2002ap

We report on the combined X-ray and radio observations of the type Ic SN 2002ap, using XMM-Newton ToO observation of M74 and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). We account for the presence of a nearby source in the pre-supernova Chandra field of view in our measurements of the X-ray flux (0.3 - 10 KeV) 5.2 days after the explosion. The X-ray spectrum is well fitted by a power law spectrum with photon index $α= 2.6$. Our results suggest that the prompt X-ray emission originates from inverse Compton scattering of photospheric thermal emission by energetic electrons. Radio observations with the GMRT at 610 MHz (8 days after the explosion) and 1420 MHz (70 days after the explosion) are combined with the high frequency VLA observations of SN 2002ap reported earlier, and the early radiospheric properties of SN 2002ap are compared with similar data from two other supernovae. Finally, the GMRT radio map reveals four other X-ray sources in the field of view of M74 with radio counterparts.

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arXiv2002

X-ray and radio bright type Ic SN 2002ap -- a hypernova without an associated GRB

Combined X-ray (0.3 -10 keV) and Radio (0.61 and 1.42 GHz) observations of the type Ic SN 2002ap are used here, to determine the origins of the prompt X-ray and Radio emission from this source.Our analysis of the XMM-Newton observations suggests that the prompt X-ray emission originates from inverse Compton scattering of photospheric thermal emission by energetic electrons. We also compare the early radiospheric properties of SN 2002ap with those of SN 1998bw (type Ic) and SN 1993J (type IIb), to contrast the prompt emission from a GRB associated SN with other supernovae without GRB counterparts.

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arXiv2002

XMM-Newton detection of Nova Muscae 1991 in Quiescence

The soft X-ray transient GU Mus has been detected by XMM-Newton in the quiescent state. The source is very faint, with a 0.5-10.0 keV unabsorbed flux of $\simeq 1.1 \times 10^{-14}$ ergs cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$. The spectra is well fit by an absorbed powerlaw with a photon index of $ α= 1.6 \pm 0.4$, close to the value seen when the source was in the low/hard state in Aug. 1991. From our observed luminosity, it seems unlikely that the quiescent state emission is dominated by coronal X-rays from the secondary. The flux also appears to be in agreement with the ADAF model of BH-transients in quiescence.

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arXiv2000

Limits on the optical magnitude of PSR 1821-24 in M28

The detection of a pulsed X-ray counterpart (RX J1824.2-2R52P) of the 3.05 ms pulsar PSR 1821-24, suggests the possibility of a part of the rotational energy loss of this high spindown rate pulsar being in the optical band. Archival HST data for M28 is used here to set upper limits on the optical V-band magnitude of PSR 1821-24. The optical limit extends the multiwavelength observations for this source and provides a constraint for theoretical models of pulsar emission.

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arXiv1999

Nuclear properties in early stages of stellar collapse

The spectroscopy of electron capture neutrinos emitted from nearby pre-supernova collapsing stars before the neutrino trapping sets in, can yield useful information on the physical conditions and on the nuclear composition of the core. The neutrino spectrum depends on the thermodynamic conditions of the core, the nuclear abundances, the lepton fractions and relevant nuclear properties. In the pre-trapping core of a core-collapse supernova, the density ranges from $0.1 - 100~10^{10}$ g/cm$^3$ and the temperature from $0.2 - 1.5$ MeV. The nuclear abundances as well as the electron capture rates are thus determined, among other things, by the nuclear binding energies and the free nucleon chemical potentials. Because shell and pairing effects persist strongly up to temperatures of $\simeq 0.5$ MeV, any equation of state (EOS) relevant to this phase of the collapse must reproduce well the zero temperature nuclear properties and it must show a smooth transition to the known high temperature and high density limits. In this work we use the microscopic Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) theory based on a Lagrangian with non-linear self-interactions of the $σ$-field for the neutron-rich nuclei of interest in the $f-p$ shell to determine nuclear chemical potentials. We compare these results with those computed from an EOS calculated with the macroscopic liquid drop model. We also discuss extensions to finite temperature and we incorporate nuclear lattice effects into the microscopic calculations.

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arXiv1999

Comparisons of various model fits to the Iron line profile in MCG-6-30-15

The broad Iron line in MCG-6-30-15 is fitted to the Comptonization model where line broadening occurs due to Compton down-scattering in a highly ionized optically thick cloud. These results are compared to the disk line model where the broadening is due to Gravitational/Doppler effects in the vicinity of a black hole. We find that both models fit the data well and it is not possible to differentiate between them by fitting only the ASCA data. The best fit temperature and optical depth of the cloud are found to be kT = 0.54 keV and $τ= 4.0$ from the Comptonization model. This model further suggests that while the temperature can be assumed to be constant, the optical depth varies during the observation period. We emphasis an earlier conclusion that simultaneous broad band data ($3 - 50$ keV) can rule out (or confirm) the Comptonization model.

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arXiv1997

Neutrino Spectroscopy of the Early Phase of Nearby Supernovae

Neutrinos emitted during stellar core collapse up to their trapping phase carry information about the stage from which the Supernova explosion process initiates. The dominant $ν_e$ emission mechanism is by electron capture on free protons and f-p shell nuclei and the spectrum of these neutrinos is a function of the ambient physical conditions within the core as well as the nuclear equation of state. The number of collapse phase $ν_e$ which can be detected by Super-Kamioka and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory from a Supernova within 1 kpc, and their generic energy spectra are given.

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arXiv1997

Electron Capture in Early Gravitational Collapse -- Nuclear Equation of State

We present the spectra of pre trapping neutrinos emitted from a core collapse supernova (having main sequence masses 15 and 25 $M_{\sun}$) within 1 kpc which can be detected by terrestrial detectors. The neutrino spectrum depends on the abundance of nuclei and free protons which undergo electron capture which in turn is determined by nuclear properties of the stellar core. The ambient temperature in the early pre-trapping phase is not so high as to wipe out shell and pairing effects. We present results from Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) calculations, which we use to predict properties of the neutron rich nuclei which dominate the stellar composition at this stage of stellar collapse and compare the RMF results with the Baron et al (BCK) equation of state.

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arXiv1996

Relativistic Mean Field calculations of nuclear properties in early stages of stellar collapse

We use the Relativistic Mean Field (RMF) method to calculate properties of neutron rich, usually deformed nuclei, important for equation of state calculations and which have significant abundance in the early stages of stellar collapse. We compare the results of our microscopic calculations with existing cold nuclear equations of state based on macroscopic liquid drop model and the FRLDM model.

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arXiv1995

Gamow-Teller strength distributions for nuclei in pre-supernova stellar cores

Electron-capture and $β$-decay of nuclei in the core of massive stars play an important role in the stages leading to a type II supernova explosion. Nuclei in the f-p shell are particularly important for these reactions in the post Silicon-burning stage of a presupernova star. In this paper, we characterise the energy distribution of the Gamow-Teller Giant Resonance (GTGR) for mid-fp-shell nuclei in terms of a few shape parameters, using data obtained from high energy, forward scattering (p,n) and (n,p) reactions. The energy of the GTGR centroid $E_{GT}$ is further generalised as function of nuclear properties like mass number, isospin and other shell model properties of the nucleus. Since a large fraction of the GT strength lies in the GTGR region, and the GTGR is accessible for weak transitions taking place at energies relevant to the cores of presupernova and collapsing stars, our results are relevant to the study of important $e^-$-capture and $β$-decay rates of arbitrary, neutron-rich, f-p shell nuclei in stellar cores. Using the observed GTGR and Isobaric Analog States (IAS) energy systematics we compare the coupling coefficients in the Bohr-Mottelson two particle interaction Hamiltonian for different regions of the Isotope Table.

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