arXiv subjects

K. Shibata

Publications and source records attributed to K. Shibata.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Fermi Acceleration in Plasmoids interacting with Fast Shocks of Reconnection via Fractal Reconnection

We propose the particle acceleration model coupled with multiple plasmoid ejections in a solar flare. Unsteady reconnection produces plasmoids in a current sheet and ejects them out to the fast shocks, where particles in a plasmoid are reflected upstream the shock front by magnetic mirror effect. As the plasmoid passes through the shock front, the reflection distance becomes shorter and shorter driving Fermi acceleration, until it becomes proton Larmor radius. The fractal distribution of plasmoids may also have a role in naturally explaining the power-law spectrum in nonthermal emissions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

Revision of Solar Spicule Classification

Solar spicules are the fundamental magnetic structures in the chromosphere and considered to play a key role in channelling the chromosphere and corona. Recently, it was suggested by De Pontieu et al. that there were two types of spicules with very different dynamic properties, which were detected by space- time plot technique in the Ca ii H line (3968 A) wavelength from Hinode/SOT observations. 'Type I' spicule, with a 3-7 minute lifetime, undergoes a cycle of upward and downward motion; in contrast, 'Type II' spicule fades away within dozens of seconds, without descending phase. We are motivated by the fact that for a spicule with complicated 3D motion, the space-time plot, which is made through a slit on a fixed position, could not match the spicule behavior all the time and might lose its real life story. By revisiting the same data sets, we identify and trace 105 and 102 spicules in quiet sun (QS) and coronal hole (CH), respectively, and obtain their statistical dynamic properties. First, we have not found a single convincing example of 'Type II' spicules. Secondly, more than 60% of the identified spicules in each region show a complete cycle, i.e., majority spicules are 'Type I'. Thirdly, the lifetime of spicules in QS and CH are 148 s and 112 s, respectively, but there is no fundamental lifetime difference between the spicules in QS and CH reported earlier. Therefore, the suggestion of coronal heating by 'Type II' spicules should be taken with cautions. Subject headings: Sun: chromosphere Sun:transition region Sun:corona

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Numerical Investigation of a Coronal Mass Ejection from an Anemone Active Region: Reconnection and Deflection of the 2005 August 22 Eruption

We present a numerical investigation of the coronal evolution of a coronal mass ejection (CME) on 2005 August 22 using a 3-D thermodynamics magnetohydrodynamic model, the SWMF. The source region of the eruption was anemone active region (AR) 10798, which emerged inside a coronal hole. We validate our modeled corona by producing synthetic extreme ultraviolet (EUV) images, which we compare to EIT images. We initiate the CME with an out-of-equilibrium flux rope with an orientation and chirality chosen in agreement with observations of a H-alpha filament. During the eruption, one footpoint of the flux rope reconnects with streamer magnetic field lines and with open field lines from the adjacent coronal hole. It yields an eruption which has a mix of closed and open twisted field lines due to interchange reconnection and only one footpoint line-tied to the source region. Even with the large-scale reconnection, we find no evidence of strong rotation of the CME as it propagates. We study the CME deflection and find that the effect of the Lorentz force is a deflection of the CME by about 3 deg/Rsun towards the East during the first 30 minutes of the propagation. We also produce coronagraphic and EUV images of the CME, which we compare with real images, identifying a dimming region associated with the reconnection process. We discuss the implication of our results for the arrival at Earth of CMEs originating from the limb and for models to explain the presence of open field lines in magnetic clouds.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Detailed Analysis of Fan-Shaped jets in Three Dimensional Numerical Simulation

We performed three dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations to study the magnetic reconnection using an initially shearing magnetic field configuration (force free field with a current sheet in the middle of the computational box). It is shown that there are two types of reconnection jets: the ordinary reconnection jets and fan-shaped jets, which are formed along the guide magnetic field. The fan-shaped jets are much different from the ordinary reconnection jets which are ejected by magnetic tension force. There are two driving forces for accelerating the fan-shaped jets. The one is the Lorentz force which dominates the motion of fluid elements at first and then the gas pressure gradient force accelerates the fluid elements in the later stage. The dependence on magnetic reconnection angle and resistivity value has also been studied. The formation and evolution of these jets provide a new understanding of dynamic magnetohydrodynamic jets.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

π junction transition in InAs self-assembled quantum dot coupled with SQUID

We report the transport measurements on the InAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQDs) which have a unique structural zero-dimensionality, coupled to a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Owing to the SQUID geometry, we directly observe a π phase shift in the current phase relation and the negative supercurrent indicating π junction behavior by not only tuning the energy level of SAQD by back-gate but also controlling the coupling between SAQD and electrodes by side-gate. Our results inspire new future quantum information devices which can link optical, spin, and superconducting state.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Electrical control of Kondo effect and superconducting transport in a side-gated InAs quantum dot Josephson junction

We measure the non-dissipative supercurrent in a single InAs self-assembled quantum dot (QD) coupled to superconducting leads. The QD occupation is both tuned by a back-gate electrode and lateral side-gate. The geometry of the side-gate allows tuning of the QD-lead tunnel coupling in a region of constant electron number with appropriate orbital state. Using the side-gate effect we study the competition between Kondo correlations and superconducting pairing on the QD, observing a decrease in the supercurrent when the Kondo temperature is reduced below the superconducting energy gap in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Large anisotropy of spin-orbit interaction in a single InAs self-assembled quantum dot

Anisotropy of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) is studied for a single uncapped InAs self-assembled quantum dot (SAQD) holding just a few electrons. The SOI energy is evaluated from anti-crossing or SOI induced hybridization between the ground and excited states with opposite spins. The magnetic angular dependence of the SOI energy falls on an absolute cosine function for azimuthal rotation, and a cosine-like function for tilting rotation. The SOI energy is even quenched at a specific rotation. These angular dependence compare well to calculation of Rashba SOI in a two-dimensional harmonic potential.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Coronal rain as a marker for coronal heating mechanisms

Reported observations in H-alpha, Ca II H and K or or other chromospheric lines of coronal rain trace back to the days of the Skylab mission. Offering a high contrast in intensity with respect to the background (either bright in emission if observed at the limb, or dark in absorption if observed on disk) these cool blobs are often observed falling down from high coronal heights above active regions. A physical explanation for this spectacular phenomenon has been put forward thanks to numerical simulations of loops with footpoint concentrated heating, a heating scenario in which cool condensations naturally form in the corona. This effect has been termed 'catastrophic cooling' and is the predominant explanation for coronal rain. In this work we further investigate the link between this phenomenon and the heating mechanisms acting in the corona. We start by analyzing observations of coronal rain at the limb in the Ca II H line performed by the SOT instrument on board of the Hinode satellite. We then compare the observations with 1.5-dimensional MHD simulations of loops being heated by small-scale discrete events concentrated towards the footpoints (that could come, for instance, from magnetic reconnection events), and by Alfven waves generated at the photosphere. It is found that if a loop is heated predominantly from Alfven waves coronal rain is inhibited due to the characteristic uniform heating they produce. Hence coronal rain may not only point to the spatial distribution of the heating in coronal loops but also to the agent of the heating itself. We thus propose coronal rain as a marker for coronal heating mechanisms.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The role of torsional Alfven waves in coronal heating

In the context of coronal heating, among the zoo of MHD waves that exist in the solar atmosphere, Alfven waves receive special attention. Indeed, these waves constitute an attractive heating agent due to their ability to carry over the many different layers of the solar atmosphere sufficient energy to heat and maintain a corona. However, due to their incompressible nature these waves need a mechanism such as mode conversion (leading to shock heating), phase mixing, resonant absorption or turbulent cascade in order to heat the plasma. New observations with polarimetric, spectroscopic and imaging instruments such as those on board of the japanese satellite Hinode, or the SST or CoMP, are bringing strong evidence for the existence of energetic Alfven waves in the solar corona. In order to assess the role of Alfven waves in coronal heating, in this work we model a magnetic flux tube being subject to Alfven wave heating through the mode conversion mechanism. Using a 1.5-dimensional MHD code we carry out a parameter survey varying the magnetic flux tube geometry (length and expansion), the photospheric magnetic field, the photospheric velocity amplitudes and the nature of the waves (monochromatic or white noise spectrum). It is found that independently of the photospheric wave amplitude and magnetic field a corona can be produced and maintained only for long (> 80 Mm) and thick (area ratio between photosphere and corona > 500) loops. Above a critical value of the photospheric velocity amplitude (generally a few km/s) the corona can no longer be maintained over extended periods of time and collapses due to the large momentum of the waves. These results establish several constraints on Alfven wave heating as a coronal heating mechanism, especially for active region loops.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Spin-Related Current Suppression in a Semiconductor-Quantum-Dot Spin-Diode Structure

We experimentally study the transport features of electrons in a spin-diode structure consisting of a single semiconductor quantum dot (QD) weakly coupled to one nonmagnetic (NM) and one ferromagnetic (FM) lead, in which the QD has an artificial atomic nature. A Coulomb stability diamond shows asymmetric features with respect to the polarity of the bias voltage. For the regime of two-electron tunneling, we find anomalous suppression of the current for both forward and reverse bias. We discuss possible mechanisms of the anomalous current suppression in terms of spin blockade via the QD/FM interface at the ground state of a two-electron QD.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

A scalable quantum computer with an ultranarrow optical transition of ultracold neutral atoms in an optical lattice

We propose a new quantum-computing scheme using ultracold neutral ytterbium atoms in an optical lattice. The nuclear Zeeman sublevels define a qubit. This choice avoids the natural phase evolution due to the magnetic dipole interaction between qubits. The Zeeman sublevels with large magnetic moments in the long-lived metastable state are also exploited to address individual atoms and to construct a controlled-multiqubit gate. Estimated parameters required for this scheme show that this proposal is scalable and experimentally feasible.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2009

Signatures of Coronal Heating Mechanisms

Alfven waves created by sub-photospheric motions or by magnetic reconnection in the low solar atmosphere seem good candidates for coronal heating. However, the corona is also likely to be heated more directly by magnetic reconnection, with dissipation taking place in current sheets. Distinguishing observationally between these two heating mechanisms is an extremely difficult task. We perform 1.5-dimensional MHD simulations of a coronal loop subject to each type of heating and derive observational quantities that may allow these to be differentiated.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

Giant Chromospheric Anemone Jet Observed with Hinode and Comparison with Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations: Evidence of Propagating Alfven Waves and Magnetic Reconnection

Hinode discovered a beautiful giant jet with both cool and hot components at the solar limb on 2007 February 9. Simultaneous observations by the Hinode SOT, XRT, and TRACE 195 satellites revealed that hot (5x10^6 K) and cool (10^4 K) jets were located side by side and that the hot jet preceded the associated cool jet (1-2 minutes). A current-sheet-like structure was seen in optical (Ca IIH), EUV (195A), and soft X-ray emissions, suggesting that magnetic reconnection is occurring in the transition region or upper chromosphere. Alfven waves were also observed with Hinode SOT. These propagated along the jet at velocities of 200 km/s with amplitudes (transverse velocity) of 5-15 km/s and a period of 200 s. We performed two-dimensional MHD simulation of the jets on the basis of the emerging flux-reconnection model, by extending Yokoyama and Shibata's model. We extended the model with a more realistic initial condition (10^6 K corona) and compared our model with multiwavelength observations. The improvement of the coronal temperature and density in the simulation model allowed for the first time the reproduction of the structure and evolution of both the cool and hot jets quantitatively, supporting the magnetic reconnection model. The generation and the propagation of Alfven waves are also reproduced self-consistently in the simulation model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

High Kondo temperature (TK ~ 80 K) in self-assembled InAs quantum dots laterally coupled to nanogap electrodes

We have fabricated single electron tunneling structures by forming nanogap metallic electrodes directly upon single self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs). The fabricated samples exhibited clear Coulomb blockade effects. Furthermore, a clear Kondo effect was observed when strong coupling between the electrodes and the QDs was realized using a large QD with a diameter of ~ 100 nm. From the temperature dependence of the linear conductance at the Kondo valley, the Kondo temperature TK was determined to be ~ 81 K. This is the highest TK ever reported for artificial quantum nanostructures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Spectro-Polarimetric Observation of an Emerging Flux Region: Triggering Mechanism of Ellerman Bombs

High spatial resolution observation of an emerging flux region (EFR) was done using a vector magnetograph and a H-alpha Lyot filtergraph with Domeless Solar Telescope at Hida Observatory on October 22, 2006. In H-alpha wing images, we could see many Ellerman bombs (EBs) in the EFR. Two observation modes, slit scan and slit fixed, were performed with the vector magnetograph, along with H-alpha filtergraph. Using H-alpha wing images, we detected 12 EBs during slit scan observation period and 9 EBs during slit fixed observation period. With slit scan observation, we found that all the EBs were distributed in the area where the spatial gradient of vertical field intensity was large, which indicates the possibility of rapid topological change in magnetic field in the area of EBs. With slit fixed observation, we found that EBs were distributed in the areas of undulatory magnetic fields, both in vertical and horizontal components. This paper is the first to report the undulatory pattern in horizontal components of magnetic field, which is also evidence for emerging magnetic flux by Parker instability. These results allow us to confirm the association between EBs and emerging flux tubes. Three triggering mechanism of EBs is discussed with respect to emerging flux tubes: 9 out of 21 EBs occurred at the footpoints of emerging flux tubes, 8 out of 21 EBs occurred at the top of emerging flux tubes, and 4 out of 21 EBs occurred at unipolar region. Each case can be explained by magnetic reconnection in the low chromosphere.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Coronal transverse magnetohydrodynamic waves in a solar prominence

Solar prominences are cool 10$^4$ Kelvin plasma clouds supported in the surrounding 10$^6$ Kelvin coronal plasma by as-yet undetermined mechanisms. Observations from \emph{Hinode} show fine-scale threadlike structures oscillating in the plane of the sky with periods of several minutes. We suggest these transverse magnetohydrodynamic waves may represent Alfvén waves propagating on coronal magnetic field lines and these may play a role in heating the corona.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Kondo effect in a semiconductor quantum dot coupled to ferromagnetic electrodes

Using a laterally-fabricated quantum-dot (QD) spin-valve device, we experimentally study the Kondo effect in the electron transport through a semiconductor QD with an odd number of electrons (N). In a parallel magnetic configuration of the ferromagnetic electrodes, the Kondo resonance at N = 3 splits clearly without external magnetic fields. With applying magnetic fields (B), the splitting is gradually reduced, and then the Kondo effect is almost restored at B = 1.2 T. This means that, in the Kondo regime, an inverse effective magnetic field of B ~ 1.2 T can be applied to the QD in the parallel magnetic configuration of the ferromagnetic electrodes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Lateral electron tunneling through single self-assembled InAs quantum dots coupled to superconducting nanogap electrodes

We have fabricated superconductor-quantum dot-superconductor (SC-QD-SC) junctions by using SC aluminum electrodes with narrow gaps laterally contacting a single self-assembled InAs QD. The fabricated junctions exhibited clear Coulomb staircases and Coulomb oscillations at 40 mK. Furthermore, clear suppression in conductance was observed for the source-drain voltage $|V_{\rm SD}| < 2Δ/e$, where $Δ$ is the SC energy gap of Al. The absence of Josephson current that flows through QDs is due to the strong Coulomb interaction and non-negligible thermal fluctuation in our measurement system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗