arXiv subjects

G. J. Miller

Publications and source records attributed to G. J. Miller.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2008

Improved Cosmological Constraints from New, Old and Combined Supernova Datasets

We present a new compilation of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), a new dataset of low-redshift nearby-Hubble-flow SNe and new analysis procedures to work with these heterogeneous compilations. This ``Union'' compilation of 414 SN Ia, which reduces to 307 SNe after selection cuts, includes the recent large samples of SNe Ia from the Supernova Legacy Survey and ESSENCE Survey, the older datasets, as well as the recently extended dataset of distant supernovae observed with HST. A single, consistent and blind analysis procedure is used for all the various SN Ia subsamples, and a new procedure is implemented that consistently weights the heterogeneous data sets and rejects outliers. We present the latest results from this Union compilation and discuss the cosmological constraints from this new compilation and its combination with other cosmological measurements (CMB and BAO). The constraint we obtain from supernovae on the dark energy density is $Ω_Λ= 0.713^{+0.027}_{-0.029} (stat)}^{+0.036}_{-0.039} (sys)}$, for a flat, LCDM Universe. Assuming a constant equation of state parameter, $w$, the combined constraints from SNe, BAO and CMB give $w=-0.969^{+0.059}_{-0.063}(stat)^{+0.063}_{-0.066} (sys)$. While our results are consistent with a cosmological constant, we obtain only relatively weak constraints on a $w$ that varies with redshift. In particular, the current SN data do not yet significantly constrain $w$ at $z>1$. With the addition of our new nearby Hubble-flow SNe Ia, these resulting cosmological constraints are currently the tightest available.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Variation of the magnetic ordering in GdT$_2$Zn$_{20}$ (T= Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh and Ir) and its correlation with the electronic structure of isostructural YT$_2$Zn$_{20}$

Magnetization, resistivity and specific heat measurements were performed on the solution-grown, single crystals of six GdT$_2$Zn$_{20}$ (T = Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh and Ir) compounds, as well as their Y analogues. For the Gd compounds, the Fe column members manifest a ferromagnetic (FM) ground state (with an enhanced Curie temperature, $T_{\mathrm{C}}$, for T = Fe and Ru), whereas the Co column members manifest an antiferromagnetic (AFM) ground state. Thermodynamic measurements on the YT$_2$Zn$_{20}$ revealed that the enhanced $T_{\mathrm{C}}$ for GdFe$_2$Zn$_{20}$ and GdRu$_2$Zn$_{20}$ can be understood within the framework of Heisenberg moments embedded in a nearly ferromagnetic Fermi liquid. Furthermore, electronic structure calculations indicate that this significant enhancement is due to large, close to the Stoner FM criterion, transition metal partial density of states at Fermi level, whereas the change of FM to AFM ordering is associated with filling of electronic states with two additional electrons per formula unit. The degree of this sensitivity is addressed by the studies of the pseudo-ternary compounds Gd(Fe$_x$Co$_{1-x}$)$_2$Zn$_{20}$ and Y(Fe$_x$Co$_{1-x}$)$_2$Zn$_{20}$ which clearly reveal the effect of 3d band filling on their magnetic properties.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Hydrostatic pressure study of single-crystalline UNi0.5Sb2

We studied single-crystals of the antiferromagnetic compound UNi0.5Sb2 (TN ~ 161 K) by means of measurements of magnetic susceptibility (chi), specific heat (Cp), and electrical resistivity (rho) at ambient pressure, and resistivity under hydrostatic pressures up to 20 kbar, in the temperature range from 1.9 to 300 K. The thermal coefficient of the electrical resistivity (drho/dT) changes drastically from positive below TN to negative above, reflecting the loss of spin-disorder scattering in the ordered phase. Two small features in the rho vs T data centered near 40 and 85 K correlate well in temperature with features in the magnetic susceptibility and are consistent with other data in the literature. These features are quite hysteretic in temperature, i.e., the difference between the warming and cooling cycles are about 10 and 6 K, respectively. The effect of pressure is to raise TN at the approximate rate of 0.76 K/kbar, while progressively suppressing the amplitude of the small features in rho vs T at lower temperatures and increasing the thermal hysteresis.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Ferromagnetism in the Mott insulator Ba2NaOsO6

Results are presented of single crystal structural, thermodynamic, and reflectivity measurements of the double-perovskite Ba2NaOsO6. These characterize the material as a 5d^1 ferromagnetic Mott insulator with an ordered moment of ~0.2 Bohr magnetons per formula unit and TC = 6.8(3) K. The magnetic entropy associated with this phase transition is close to Rln2, indicating that the quartet groundstate anticipated from consideration of the crystal structure is split, consistent with a scenario in which the ferromagnetism is associated with orbital ordering.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Spectroscopic Observations and Analysis of the Unusual Type Ia SN 1999ac

We present optical spectra of the peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 1999ac. The data extend from -15 to +42 days with respect to B-band maximum and reveal an event that is unusual in several respects. Prior to B-band maximum, the spectra resemble those of SN 1999aa, a slowly declining event, but possess stronger SiII and CaII signatures (more characteristic of a spectroscopically normal SN). Spectra after B-band maximum appear more normal. The expansion velocities inferred from the Iron lines appear to be lower than average; whereas, the expansion velocity inferred from Calcium H and K are higher than average. The expansion velocities inferred from SiII are among the slowest ever observed, though SN 1999ac is not particularly dim. The analysis of the parameters v_10, R(SiII), dv(SiII)/dt, and d_m15 further underlines the unique characteristics of SN 1999ac. We find convincing evidence of CII 6580 in the day -15 spectrum with ejection velocity v > 16,000 km/s, but this signature disappears by day -9. This rapid evolution at early times highlights the importance of extremely early-time spectroscopy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Spectroscopic Observations and Analysis of the Peculiar SN 1999aa

We present an extensive new time-series of spectroscopic data of the peculiar SN 1999aa in NGC 2595. Our data set includes 25 optical spectra between -11 and +58 days with respect to B-band maximum light, providing an unusually complete time history. The early spectra resemble those of a SN 1991T-like object but with a relatively strong Ca H&K absorption feature. The first clear sign of Si II 6355, characteristic of Type Ia supernovae, is found at day -7 and its velocity remains constant up to at least the first month after B-band maximum light. The transition to normal-looking spectra is found to occur earlier than in SN 1991T suggesting SN 1999aa as a possible link between SN 1991T-like and Branch-normal supernovae. Comparing the observations with synthetic spectra, doubly ionized Fe, Si and Ni are identified at early epochs. These are characteristic of SN 1991T-like objects. Furthermore, in the day -11 spectrum, evidence is found for an absorption feature which could be identified as high velocity C II 6580 or H-alpha. At the same epoch C III 4648.8 at photospheric velocity is probably responsible for the absorption feature at 4500 A. High velocity Ca is found around maximum light together with Si II and Fe II confined in a narrow velocity window. Implied constraints on supernovae progenitor systems and explosion hydrodynamical models are briefly discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Anomalous temperature-dependent transport in YbNi2B2C and its correlation to microstructural features

We address the nature of the ligandal disorder leading to local redistributions of Kondo temperatures, manifested as annealing-induced changes in the transport behavior of the heavy fermion system YbNi2B2C. The anomalous transport behavior was fully characterized by temperature dependent resistivity measurements in an extended range of 0.4 < T < 1000 K for as-grown and optimally annealed single crystals, and microstructural changes between these two types of samples were investigated by single-crystal x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Our results point to lattice dislocations as the most likely candidate to be affecting the surrounding Yb ions, leading to a distribution of Kondo temperatures. This effect combined with the ability to control defect density with annealing offers the possibility of further understanding of the more general problem of the enhanced sensitivity of hybridized Kondo states to disorder, particularly above the coherence temperature.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2002

Anisotropy and large magnetoresistance in narrow gap semiconductor FeSb2

A study of the anisotropy in magnetic, transport and magnetotransport properties of FeSb2 has been made on large single crystals grown from Sb flux. Magnetic susceptibility of FeSb2 shows diamagnetic to paramagnetic crossover around 100K. Electrical transport along two axes is semiconducting whereas the third axis exhibits a metal - semiconductor crossover at temperature Tmin which is sensitive to current alignment and ranges between 40 and 80K. In H=70kOe semiconducting transport is restored for T<300K, resulting in large magnetoresistance [rho(70kOe)-rho(0)]/rho(0)=2200% in the crossover temperature range

cond-mat.str-el↗