arXiv subjects

P. Lucas

Publications and source records attributed to P. Lucas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Observation of seasonal variation of atmospheric multiple-muon events in the MINOS Near and Far Detectors

We report the first observation of seasonal modulations in the rates of cosmic ray multiple-muon events at two underground sites, the MINOS Near Detector with an overburden of 225 mwe, and the MINOS Far Detector site at 2100 mwe. At the deeper site, multiple-muon events with muons separated by more than 8 m exhibit a seasonal rate that peaks during the summer, similar to that of single-muon events. In contrast and unexpectedly, the rate of multiple-muon events with muons separated by less than 5-8 m, and the rate of multiple-muon events in the smaller, shallower Near Detector, exhibit a seasonal rate modulation that peaks in the winter.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Study of quasielastic scattering using charged-current nu_mu-iron interactions in the MINOS Near Detector

Kinematic distributions from an inclusive sample of 1.41 x 10^6 charged-current nu_mu interactions on iron, obtained using the MINOS Near Detector exposed to a wide-band beam with peak flux at 3 GeV, are compared to a conventional treatment of neutrino scattering within a Fermi gas nucleus. Results are used to guide the selection of a subsample enriched in quasielastic nu_mu Fe interactions, containing an estimated 123,000 quasielastic events of incident energies 1 < E_nu < 8 GeV, with = 2.79 GeV. Four additional subsamples representing topological and kinematic sideband regions to quasielastic scattering are also selected for the purpose of evaluating backgrounds. Comparisons using subsample distributions in four-momentum transfer Q^2 show the Monte Carlo model to be inadequate at low Q^2. Its shortcomings are remedied via inclusion of a Q^2-dependent suppression function for baryon resonance production, developed from the data. A chi-square fit of the resulting Monte Carlo simulation to the shape of the Q^2 distribution for the quasielastic-enriched sample is carried out with the axial-vector mass M_A of the dipole axial-vector form factor of the neutron as a free parameter. The effective M_A which best describes the data is 1.23 +0.13/-0.09 (fit) +0.12/-0.15 (syst.) GeV.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Future mmVLBI Research with ALMA: A European vision

Very long baseline interferometry at millimetre/submillimetre wavelengths (mmVLBI) offers the highest achievable spatial resolution at any wavelength in astronomy. The anticipated inclusion of ALMA as a phased array into a global VLBI network will bring unprecedented sensitivity and a transformational leap in capabilities for mmVLBI. Building on years of pioneering efforts in the US and Europe the ongoing ALMA Phasing Project (APP), a US-led international collaboration with MPIfR-led European contributions, is expected to deliver a beamformer and VLBI capability to ALMA by the end of 2014 (APP: Fish et al. 2013, arXiv:1309.3519). This report focuses on the future use of mmVLBI by the international users community from a European viewpoint. Firstly, it highlights the intense science interest in Europe in future mmVLBI observations as compiled from the responses to a general call to the European community for future research projects. A wide range of research is presented that includes, amongst others: - Imaging the event horizon of the black hole at the centre of the Galaxy - Testing the theory of General Relativity an/or searching for alternative theories - Studying the origin of AGN jets and jet formation - Cosmological evolution of galaxies and BHs, AGN feedback - Masers in the Milky Way (in stars and star-forming regions) - Extragalactic emission lines and astro-chemistry - Redshifted absorption lines in distant galaxies and study of the ISM and circumnuclear gas - Pulsars, neutron stars, X-ray binaries - Testing cosmology - Testing fundamental physical constants

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

New galactic star clusters discovered in the VVV survey. Candidates projected on the inner disk and bulge

VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV) is one of six ESO Public Surveys using the 4 meter Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA). The VVV survey covers the Milky Way bulge and an adjacent section of the disk, and one of the principal objectives is to search for new star clusters within previously unreachable obscured parts of the Galaxy. The primary motivation behind this work is to discover and analyze obscured star clusters in the direction of the inner Galactic disk and bulge. Regions of the inner disk and bulge covered by the VVV survey were visually inspected using composite JHKs color images to select new cluster candidates on the basis of apparent overdensities. DR1, DR2, CASU, and PSF photometry of 10x10 arcmin fields centered on each candidate cluster were used to construct color-magnitude and color-color diagrams. Follow-up spectroscopy of the brightest members of several cluster candidates was obtained in order to clarify their nature. We report the discovery of 58 new infrared cluster candidates. Fundamental parameters such as age, distance, and metallicity were determined for 20 of the most populous clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

Observation of muon intensity variations by season with the MINOS Near Detector

A sample of 1.53$\times$10$^{9}$ cosmic-ray-induced single muon events has been recorded at 225 meters-water-equivalent using the MINOS Near Detector. The underground muon rate is observed to be highly correlated with the effective atmospheric temperature. The coefficient $α_{T}$, relating the change in the muon rate to the change in the vertical effective temperature, is determined to be 0.428$\pm$0.003(stat.)$\pm$0.059(syst.). An alternative description is provided by the weighted effective temperature, introduced to account for the differences in the temperature profile and muon flux as a function of zenith angle. Using the latter estimation of temperature, the coefficient is determined to be 0.352$\pm$0.003(stat.)$\pm$0.046(syst.).

hep-ex↗

arXiv2014

Combined analysis of $ν_μ$ disappearance and $ν_μ \rightarrow ν_{e}$ appearance in MINOS using accelerator and atmospheric neutrinos

We report on a new analysis of neutrino oscillations in MINOS using the complete set of accelerator and atmospheric data. The analysis combines the $ν_μ$ disappearance and $ν_{e}$ appearance data using the three-flavor formalism. We measure $|Δm^{2}_{32}|=[2.28-2.46]\times10^{-3}\mbox{\,eV}^{2}$ (68% C.L.) and $\sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.35-0.65$ (90% C.L.) in the normal hierarchy, and $|Δm^{2}_{32}|=[2.32-2.53]\times10^{-3}\mbox{\,eV}^{2}$ (68% C.L.) and $\sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.34-0.67$ (90% C.L.) in the inverted hierarchy. The data also constrain $δ_{CP}$, the $θ_{23}$ octant degeneracy and the mass hierarchy; we disfavor 36% (11%) of this three-parameter space at 68% (90%) C.L.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

One more neighbor: The first brown dwarf in the VVV survey

Context. The discovery of brown dwarfs (BDs) in the solar neighborhood and young star clusters has helped to constraint the low-mass end of the stellar mass function and the initial mass function. We use data of the Vista Variables in the Vía Láctea (VVV), a near-infrared (NIR) multiwavelength (Z Y J H Ks) multi-epoch (Ks) ESO Public Survey mapping the Milky Way bulge and southern Galactic plane to search for nearby BDs. Aims. The ultimate aim of the project is to improve the completeness of the census of nearby stellar and substellar objects towards the Galactic bulge and inner disk regions. Methods. Taking advantage of the homogeneous sample of VVV multi-epoch data, we identified stars with high proper motion (> 0.1"/yr), and then selected low-mass objects using NIR colors. We searched for a possible parallax signature using the all available Ks band epochs. We set some constraints on the month-to-year scale Ks band variability of our candidates, and even searched for possible transiting companions. We obtained NIR spectra to properly classify spectral type and then the physical properties of the final list of candidates. Results. We report the discovery of VVV BD001, a new member of the local volume-limited sample (within 20pc from the sun) with well defined proper motion, distance, and luminosity. The spectral type of this new object is an L5+-1, unusually blue dwarf. The proper motion for this BD is PM(α)=-0.5455+-0.004 "/yr, PM(δ)=-0.3255+-0.004 "/yr, and it has a parallax of 57+-4 mas which translates into a distance of 17.5 +- 1.1 pc. VVV BD001 shows no evidence of variability (ΔKs <0.05mag) over two years, especially constrained on a six month scale during the year 2012.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Direct Imaging of a Cold Jovian Exoplanet in Orbit around the Sun-like Star GJ 504

Several exoplanets have recently been imaged at wide separations of >10 AU from their parent stars. These span a limited range of ages (<50 Myr) and atmospheric properties, with temperatures of 800--1800 K and very red colors (J - H > 0.5 mag), implying thick cloud covers. Furthermore, substantial model uncertainties exist at these young ages due to the unknown initial conditions at formation, which can lead to an order of magnitude of uncertainty in the modeled planet mass. Here, we report the direct imaging discovery of a Jovian exoplanet around the Sun-like star GJ 504, detected as part of the SEEDS survey. The system is older than all other known directly-imaged planets; as a result, its estimated mass remains in the planetary regime independent of uncertainties related to choices of initial conditions in the exoplanet modeling. Using the most common exoplanet cooling model, and given the system age of 160 [+350, -60] Myr, GJ 504 b has an estimated mass of 4 [+4.5, -1.0] Jupiter masses, among the lowest of directly imaged planets. Its projected separation of 43.5 AU exceeds the typical outer boundary of ~30 AU predicted for the core accretion mechanism. GJ 504 b is also significantly cooler (510 [+30, -20] K) and has a bluer color (J-H = -0.23 mag) than previously imaged exoplanets, suggesting a largely cloud-free atmosphere accessible to spectroscopic characterization. Thus, it has the potential of providing novel insights into the origins of giant planets, as well as their atmospheric properties.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2013

Measurement of Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations Using Beam and Atmospheric Data in MINOS

We report measurements of oscillation parameters from $ν_{mu}$ and $\barν_μ$ disappearance using beam and atmospheric data from MINOS. The data comprise exposures of \unit[$10.71 \times 10^{20}$]{protons on target (POT)} in the $ν_μ$-dominated beam, $\unit[3.36\times10^{20}]{POT}}$ in the $\barν_μ$-enhanced beam, and 37.88 kton-years of atmospheric neutrinos. Assuming identical $ν$ and $\barν$ oscillation parameters, we measure \mbox{$|Δm^2}| = \unit[2.41^{+0.09}_{-0.10}) \times 10^{-3}]{eV^{2}}$} and $\sin^{2}/!/left(2θ\right) = 0.950^{+0.035}_{-0.036}$. Allowing independent $ν$ and $\barν$ oscillations, we measure antineutrino parameters of $|Δ\bar{m}^2| = \unit[(2.50 ^{+0.23}_{-0.25}) \times 10^{-3}]{eV^{2}}$ and $\sin^{2}/!/left(2\barθ \right) = 0.97^{+0.03}_{-0.08}$, with minimal change to the neutrino parameters.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

NPARSEC: NTT Parallaxes of Southern Extremely Cool objects. Goals, targets, procedures and first results

The discovery and subsequent detailed study of T dwarfs has provided many surprises and pushed the physics and modeling of cool atmospheres in unpredicted directions. Distance is a critical parameter for studies of these objects to determine intrinsic luminosities, test binarity and measure their motion in the Galaxy. We describe a new observational program to determine distances across the full range of T dwarf sub-types using the NTT/SOFI telescope/instrument combination. We present preliminary results for ten objects, five of which represent new distances.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Milky Way Demographics with the VVV Survey II. Color Transformations and Near-Infrared Photometry for 136 Million Stars in the Southern Galactic Disk

The new multi-epoch near-infrared VVV survey (VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea) is sampling 562 sq. deg of the Galactic bulge and adjacent regions of the disk. Accurate astrometry established for the region surveyed allows the VVV data to be merged with overlapping surveys (e.g., GLIMPSE, WISE, 2MASS, etc.), thereby enabling the construction of longer baseline spectral energy distributions for astronomical targets. However, in order to maximize use of the VVV data, a set of transformation equations are required to place the VVV JHKs photometry onto the 2MASS system. The impetus for this work is to develop those transformations via a comparison of 2MASS targets in 152 VVV fields sampling the Galactic disk. The transformation coefficients derived exhibit a reliance on variables such as extinction. The transformed data were subsequently employed to establish a mean reddening law of E_{J-H}/E_{H-Ks}=2.13 +/- 0.04, which is the most precise determination to date and merely emphasizes the pertinence of the VVV data for determining such important parameters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

Electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance in the full MINOS data sample

We report on $ν_e$ and $\barν_e$ appearance in $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ beams using the full MINOS data sample. The comparison of these $ν_e$ and $\barν_e$ appearance data at a 735 km baseline with $θ_{13}$ measurements by reactor experiments probes $δ$, the $θ_{23}$ octant degeneracy, and the mass hierarchy. This analysis is the first use of this technique and includes the first accelerator long-baseline search for $\barν_μ\rightarrow\barν_e$. Our data disfavor 31% (5%) of the three-parameter space defined by $δ$, the octant of the $θ_{23}$, and the mass hierarchy at the 68% (90%) C.L. We measure a value of 2sin$^2(2θ_{13})$sin$^2(θ_{23})$ that is consistent with reactor experiments.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

A search for flavor-changing non-standard neutrino interactions by MINOS

We report new constraints on flavor-changing non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) using data from the MINOS experiment. We analyzed a combined set of beam neutrino and antineutrino data, and found no evidence for deviations from standard neutrino mixing. The observed energy spectra constrain the NSI parameter to the range $-0.20 < \varepsilon_{μτ} < 0.07\;\text{(90% C.L.)}$

hep-ex↗

arXiv2013

Near Infrared Circular Polarization Images of NGC 6334-V

We present results from deep imaging linear and circular polarimetry of the massive star-forming region NGC 6334- V. These observations show high degrees of circular polarization (CP), as much as 22 % in the Ks band, in the infrared nebula associated with the outflow. The CP has an asymmetric positive/negative pattern and is very extended (~80" or 0.65 pc). Both the high CP and its extended size are larger than those seen in the Orion CP region. Three-dimensional Monte Carlo light-scattering models are used to show that the high CP may be produced by scattering from the infrared nebula followed by dichroic extinction by an optically thick foreground cloud containing aligned dust grains. Our results show not only the magnetic field orientation of around young stellar objects but also the structure of circumstellar matter such as outflow regions and their parent molecular cloud along the line of sight. The detection of the large and extended CP in this source and the Orion nebula may imply the CP origin of the biological homochirality on Earth.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2012

Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey II. Discovery of six clusters with Wolf-Rayet stars

Context: The ESO Public Survey "VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea" (VVV) provides deep multi-epoch infrared observations for an unprecedented 562 sq. degrees of the Galactic bulge, and adjacent regions of the disk. In this survey nearly 150 new open clusters and cluster candidates have been discovered. Aims: This is the second in a series of papers about young, massive open clusters observed using the VVV survey. We present the first study of six recently discovered clusters. These clusters contain at least one newly discovered Wolf-Rayet (WR) star. Methods: Following the methodology presented in the first paper of the series, wide-field, deep JHKs VVV observations, combined with new infrared spectroscopy, are employed to constrain fundamental parameters for a subset of clusters. Results: We affirm that the six studied stellar groups are real young (2-7 Myr) and massive (between 0.8 and 2.2 10^3 Msol) clusters. They are highly obscured (Av ~ 5-24 mag) and compact (1-2 pc). In addition to WR stars, two of the six clusters also contain at least one red supergiant star. We claim the discovery of 8 new WR stars, and 3 stars showing WR-like emission lines which could be classified WR or OIf. Preliminary analysis provides initial masses of ~30-50 Msol for the WR stars. Finally,we discuss the spiral structure of the Galaxy using as tracers the six new clusters together with the previously studied VVV clusters.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Stellar mass map and dark matter distribution in M31

Stellar mass distribution in M31 is estimated using optical and infrared imaging data. Combining the derived stellar mass model with various kinematical data, properties of the DM halo of the galaxy are constrained. SDSS observations through the ugriz filters and the Spitzer imaging at 3.6 microns are used to sample the SED of the galaxy at each imaging pixel. Intrinsic dust extinction effects are taken into account by using far-infrared observations. Synthetic SEDs created with different stellar population synthesis models are fitted to the observed SEDs, providing estimates for the stellar mass surface density. The stellar mass distribution of the galaxy is described with a 3D model consisting of a nucleus, a bulge, a disc, a young disc and a halo component, each following the Einasto density distribution (relations between different functional forms of the Einasto density distribution are given in App. B). By comparing the stellar mass distribution to the observed rotation curve and kinematics of outer globular clusters and satellite galaxies, the DM halo parameters are estimated. Stellar population synthesis models suggest that M31 is dominated by old stars throughout the galaxy. The total stellar mass is (10-15)10^10Msun, 30% of which is in the bulge and 56% in the disc. None of the tested DM distribution models can be falsified on the basis of the stellar matter distribution and the rotation curve of the galaxy. The virial mass of the DM halo is (0.8-1.1)10^12Msun and the virial radius is 189-213kpc, depending on the DM distribution. The central density of the DM halo is comparable to that of nearby dwarf galaxies, low-surface-brightness galaxies and distant massive disc galaxies, thus the evolution of central DM halo properties seems to be regulated by similar processes for a broad range of halo masses, environments, and cosmological epochs.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

Measurements of atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos in the MINOS Far Detector

This paper reports measurements of atmospheric neutrino and antineutrino interactions in the MINOS Far Detector, based on 2553 live-days (37.9 kton-years) of data. A total of 2072 candidate events are observed. These are separated into 905 contained-vertex muons and 466 neutrino-induced rock-muons, both produced by charged-current $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ interactions, and 701 contained-vertex showers, composed mainly of charged-current $ν_{e}$ and $\barν_{e}$ interactions and neutral-current interactions. The curvature of muon tracks in the magnetic field of the MINOS Far Detector is used to select separate samples of $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ events. The observed ratio of $\barν_μ$ to $ν_μ$ events is compared with the Monte Carlo simulation, giving a double ratio of $R^{data}_{\barν/ν}/R^{MC}_{\barν/ν} = 1.03 \pm 0.08 (stat.) \pm 0.08 (syst.)$. The $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ data are separated into bins of $L/E$ resolution, based on the reconstructed energy and direction of each event, and a maximum likelihood fit to the observed $L/E$ distributions is used to determine the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters. This fit returns 90% confidence limits of $|Δm^{2}| = (1.9 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{-3} eV^{2}$ and $sin^{2} 2θ> 0.86$. The fit is extended to incorporate separate $ν_μ$ and $\barν_μ$ oscillation parameters, returning 90% confidence limits of $|Δm^{2}|-|Δ\bar{m}^{2}| = 0.6^{+2.4}_{-0.8} \times 10^{-3} eV^{2}$ on the difference between the squared-mass splittings for neutrinos and antineutrinos.

hep-ex↗

arXiv2012

Massive open star clusters using the VVV survey I. Presentation of the data and description of the approach

Context: The ESO Public Survey "VISTA Variables in the Vía Láctea" (VVV) provides deep multi-epoch infrared observations for an unprecedented 562 sq. degrees of the Galactic bulge, and adjacent regions of the disk. Aims: The VVV observations will foster the construction of a sample of Galactic star clusters with reliable and homogeneously derived physical parameters (e.g., age, distance, and mass, etc.). In this first paper in a series, the methodology employed to establish cluster parameters for the envisioned database are elaborated upon by analyzing a subsample of 4 known young open clusters: Danks 1, Danks 2, RCW 79, and DBS 132. The analysis offers a first glimpse of the information that can be gleaned for the final cluster database from the VVV observations. Methods: Wide-field, deep JHKs VVV observations, combined with new infrared spectroscopy, are employed to constrain fundamental parameters for a subset of clusters. Results: Results inferred from the deep near-infrared photometry which features mitigated uncertainties (e.g. the accuracy of the photometry is better than 0.1mag for Ks<18mag), the wide field-of-view of the VVV survey, and numerous high quality low resolution spectra (typically more than 10 per cluster), are used to establish independent cluster parameters which enable existing determinations to be assessed. An anomalous reddening law in the direction toward the Danks' clusters is found, i.e. E(J-H)/E(H-Ks)=2.20+/-0.06, which exceeds published values for the inner Galaxy. The G305 star forming complex, which includes the Danks' clusters, lies beyond the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm and occupies the Centaurus arm. Finally, the first deep infrared color-magnitude diagram of RCW 79 is presented which reveal a sizable pre-main sequence population. A list of candidate variable stars in G305 region is reported.

astro-ph.SR↗