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W. Y. Wang

Publications and source records attributed to W. Y. Wang.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Decadal evolution of a repeating fast radio burst source

The origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs), the brightest cosmic radio explosions, is still unknown. Bearing critical clues to FRBs' origin, the long-term evolution of FRBs has yet to be confirmed, since the field is still young and most FRBs were seen only once. Here we report clear evidence of decadal evolution of FRB~20121102A, the first precisely localized repeater. In conjunction with archival data, our FAST and GBT monitoring campaign since 2020 reveals a significant 7% decline of local dispersion measure (DM). The rotation measure (RM) of 30,755$\pm$16 $\mathrm{rad\,m^{-2}}$ detected in the last epoch represents a 70% decrease compared to that from December 2016. The $σ_{RM}$ parameter, which describes the complexity of the magneto-ionic environment surrounding the source, was shown to have decreased by 13%. These general trends reveal an evolving FRB environment, which could originate from an early-phase supernova associated with an enhanced pair wind from the FRB central engine.

astro-ph.HE

Ninety percent circular polarization detected in a repeating fast radio burst

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are extra-galactic sources with unknown physical mechanisms. They emit millisecond-duration radio pulses with isotropic equivalent energy of $10^{36}\sim10^{41}$ ergs. This corresponds to a brightness temperature of FRB emission typically reaching the level of $10^{36}$ K, but can be as high as above $10^{40}$ K for sub-microsecond timescale structures, suggesting the presence of underlying coherent relativistic radiation mechanisms. Polarization carries the key information to understand the physical origin of FRBs, with linear polarization usually tracing the geometric configuration of magnetic fields and circular polarization probing both intrinsic radiation mechanisms and propagation effects. Here we show that the repeating sources FRB 20201124A emits $90.9\pm 1.1\%$ circularly polarized radio pulses. Such a high degree of circular polarization was unexpected in theory and unprecedented in observation in the case of FRBs, since such a high degree of circular polarization was only common among Solar or Jovian radio activities, attributed to the sub-relativistic electrons. We note that there is no obvious correlation between the degree of circular polarization and burst fluence. Besides the high degree of circular polarization, we also detected rapid swing and orthogonal jump in the position angle of linear polarization. The detection of the high degree circular polarization in FRB 20201124A, together with its linear polarization properties that show orthogonal modes, place strong constraints on FRB physical mechanisms, calling for an interplay between magnetospheric radiation and propagation effects in shaping the observed FRB radiation.

astro-ph.HE

A universal break in energy functions of three hyperactive repeating fast radio bursts

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration pulses occurring at cosmological distances with a mysterious origin. Observations show that at least some FRBs are produced by magnetars. All magnetar-powered FRB models require some triggering mechanisms, among which the most popular is the crust cracking of a neutron star, which is called starquake. However, so far there has been no decisive evidence for this speculation. Here we report the energy functions of the three most active repeating FRBs, which show a universal break around $10^{38}$ erg. Such a break is similar to that of the frequency-magnitude relationship of earthquakes. The break and change of the power-law indices below and above it can be well understood within the framework of FRBs triggered by starquakes in the magnetar models. The seed of weak FRBs can grow both on the magnetar surface and in the deeper crust. In contrast, the triggering of strong FRBs is confined by the crustal thickness and the seed of strong FRBs can only grow on the surface. This difference in dimensionality causes a break in the scaling properties from weak to strong FRBs, occurring at a point where the penetration depth of starquakes equals the crustal thickness. Our result, together with the earthquake-like temporal properties of these FRBs, strongly supports that FRBs are triggered by starquakes, providing a new opportunity to study the physical properties of the neutron star crust.

astro-ph.HE

Sudden polarization angle jumps of the repeating fast radio burst FRB 20201124A

We report the first detection of polarization angle (PA) orthogonal jumps, a phenomenon previously only observed from radio pulsars, from a fast radio burst (FRB) source FRB 20201124A. We find three cases of orthogonal jumps in over two thousand bursts, all resembling those observed in pulsar single pulses. We propose that the jumps are due to the superposition of two orthogonal emission modes that could only be produced in a highly magnetized plasma, and they are caused by the line of sight sweeping across a rotating magnetosphere. The shortest jump timescale is of the order of one-millisecond, which hints that the emission modes come from regions smaller than the light cylinder of most pulsars or magnetars. This discovery provides convincing evidence that FRB emission originates from the complex magnetosphere of a magnetar, suggesting an FRB emission mechanism that is analogous to radio pulsars despite a huge luminosity difference between two types of objects.

astro-ph.HE

Strong and weak pulsar radio emission due to thunderstorms and raindrops of particles in the magnetosphere

Pulsars radiate radio signals when they rotate. However, some old pulsars often stop radiating for some periods. The underlying mechanism remains unknown, while the magnetosphere during nulling phases is hard to probe due to the absence of emission measurement. Here we report the detection and accurate polarization measurements of sporadic weak narrow dwarf pulses detected in the ordinary nulling state of pulsar B2111+46 via the Five-Hundred-Meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Further analysis shows that their polarization angles follow the average polarization angle curve of normal pulses, suggesting no change of magnetic field structure in the emission region in the two emission states. Whereas radio emission of normal individual pulses is radiated by a thunderstorm of particles produced by copious discharges in regularly formed gaps, dwarf pulses are produced by one or a few raindrops of particles generated by pair production in a fragile gap of this near-death pulsar.

astro-ph.HE

Change of rotation measure during eclipse of a black widow PSR J2051$-$0827

Black widows are millisecond pulsars ablating their companions. The material blown from the companion blocks the radio emission, resulting in radio eclipses. The properties of the eclipse medium are poorly understood. Here, we present direct evidence of the existence of magnetic fields in the eclipse medium of the black widow PSR J2051$-$0827 using observations made with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). We detect a regular decrease in rotation measure (RM) in the egress of eclipse, changing from $60\,\rm rad\,m^{-2}$ to $-28.7\,\rm rad\,m^{-2}$. The RM gradually changes back to normal when the line-of-sight moves away from the eclipse. The estimated line-of-sight magnetic field strength in the eclipse medium is $\sim 0.1$ G. The RM reversal could be caused by a change of the magnetic field strength along the line of sight due to binary orbital motion. The RM reversal phenomenon has also been observed in some repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs), and the study of spider pulsars may provide additional information about the origin of FRBs.

astro-ph.HE

A fast radio burst source at a complex magnetised site in a barred galaxy

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are highly dispersed millisecond-duration radio bursts. Recent observations of a Galactic FRB suggest that at least some FRBs originate from magnetars, but the origin of cosmological FRBs is still not settled. Here we report the detection of 1863 bursts in 82 hr over 54 days from the repeating source FRB~20201124A. These observations show irregular short-time variation of the Faraday rotation measure (RM), which probes the density-weighted line-of-sight magnetic field strength, of individual bursts during the first 36 days, followed by a constant RM. We detected circular polarisation in more than half of the burst sample, including one burst reaching a high fractional circular polarisation of 75%. Oscillations in fractional linear and circular polarisations as well as polarisation angle as a function of wavelength were detected. All of these features provide evidence for a complicated, dynamically evolving, magnetised immediate environment within about an astronomical unit (au; Earth-Sun distance) of the source. Our optical observations of its Milky-Way-sized, metal-rich host galaxy reveal a barred spiral, with the FRB source residing in a low stellar density, interarm region at an intermediate galactocentric distance. This environment is inconsistent with a young magnetar engine formed during an extreme explosion of a massive star that resulted in a long gamma-ray burst or superluminous supernova.

astro-ph.HE

Diverse polarization angle swings from a repeating fast radio burst source

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients of unknown origin. Two possible mechanisms that could generate extremely coherent emission from FRBs invoke neutron star magnetospheres or relativistic shocks far from the central energy source. Detailed polarization observations may help us to understand the emission mechanism. However, the available FRB polarization data have been perplexing, because they show a host of polarimetric properties, including either a constant polarization angle during each burst for some repeaters or variable polarization angles in some other apparently one-off events. Here we report observations of 15 bursts from FRB 180301 and find various polarization angle swings in seven of them. The diversity of the polarization angle features of these bursts is consistent with a magnetospheric origin of the radio emission, and disfavours the radiation models invoking relativistic shocks.

astro-ph.HE

Proceedings of the Sixth International Workshop on Multiple Partonic Interactions at the Large Hadron Collider

Multiple Partonic Interactions are often crucial for interpreting results obtained at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The quest for a sound understanding of the dynamics behind MPI - particularly at this time when the LHC is due to start its "Run II" operations - has focused the aim of this workshop. MPI@LHC2014 concentrated mainly on the phenomenology of LHC measurements whilst keeping in perspective those results obtained at previous hadron colliders. The workshop has also debated some of the state-of-the-art theoretical considerations and the modeling of MPI in Monte Carlo event generators. The topics debated in the workshop included: Phenomenology of MPI processes and multiparton distributions; Considerations for the description of MPI in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD); Measuring multiple partonic interactions; Experimental results on inelastic hadronic collisions: underlying event, minimum bias, forward energy flow; Monte Carlo generator development and tuning; Connections with low-x phenomena, diffraction, heavy-ion physics and cosmic rays. In a total of 57 plenary talks the workshop covered a wide range of experimental results, Monte Carlo development and tuning, phenomenology and dedicated measurements of MPI which were produced with data from the LHC's Run I. Recent progress of theoretical understanding of MPI in pp, pA and AA collisions as well as the role of MPI in diffraction and small-x physics were also covered. The workshop forstered close contact between the experimental and theoretical communities. It provided a setting to discuss many of the different aspects of MPI, eventually identifying them as a unifying concept between apparently different lines of research and evaluating their impact on the LHC physics programme.

hep-ph

Observation of superconductivity at 30 K~46 K in AxFe2Se2 (A = Li, Na, Ba, Sr, Ca, Yb, and Eu)

New iron selenide superconductors by intercalating smaller-sized alkali metals (Li, Na) and alkaline earths using high-temperature routes have been pursued ever since the discovery of superconductivity at about 30 K in KFe2Se2, but all have failed so far. Here we demonstrate that a series of superconductors with enhanced Tc=30~46 K can be obtained by intercalating metals, Li, Na, Ba, Sr, Ca, Yb, and Eu in between FeSe layers by the ammonothermal method at room temperature. Analysis on their powder X-ray diffraction patterns reveals that all the main phases can be indexed based on body-centered tetragonal lattices with a~3.755-3.831 Å while c~15.99-20.54 Å. Resistivities show the corresponding sharp transitions at 45 K and 39 K for NaFe2Se2 and Ba0.8Fe2Se2, respectively, confirming their bulk superconductivity. These findings provide a new starting point for studying the properties of these superconductors and an effective synthetic route for the exploration of new superconductors as well.

cond-mat.supr-con

B \to D'_0 (D'_1)\ell \bar νdecays in HQEFT

Semileptonic B decays into excited charmed mesons $D'_0$ and $D'_1$ are studied in the framework of heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) up to order $1/m_Q$. They are characterized by a single leading Isgur-Wise function $τ$ and several wave functions arising at $1/m_Q$ order. $τ$ and the $1/m_Q$ order functions $χ^b_0$, $χ^c_0$ related to the kinetic energy operators are evaluated through QCD sum rule approach; zero recoil values of the $1/m_Q$ order functions $κ_1$, $κ_2$, $κ'_1$ and $κ'_2$ are extracted from the meson masses; and the branching ratios are found to be suppressed by the $1/m_Q$ corrections. It is concluded that the next leading order wave functions can be significant. However it does not change the previous prediction that the production rate of $j_l^P=3/2^+$ charmed mesons dominates over that of $1/2^+$ doublets.

hep-ph

1/m_Q Corrections to B -> rho l nu Decay and |V_{ub}|

In the heavy quark effective field theory of QCD, we analyze the order 1/m_Q contributions to heavy to light vector decays. Light cone sum rule method is applied with including the effects of 1/m_Q order corrections. We then extract |V_{ub}| from B -> rho l nu decay up to order of 1/m_Q corrections.

hep-ph

1/m_Q order contributions to B \to πl νdecay in HQEFT

Contributions to B\to πl νdecay from 1/m_Q order corrections are analyzed in the heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) of QCD. Transition wave functions of 1/m_Q order are calculated through light cone sum rule (LCSR) within the HQEFT framework. The results are compared with those from other approaches.

hep-ph

A More Precise Extraction of |V_{cb}| in HQEFT of QCD

The more precise extraction for the CKM matrix element |V_{cb}| in the heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) of QCD is studied from both exclusive and inclusive semileptonic B decays. The values of relevant nonperturbative parameters up to order 1/m^2_Q are estimated consistently in HQEFT of QCD. Using the most recent experimental data for B decay rates, |V_{cb}| is updated to be |V_{cb}| = 0.0395 \pm 0.0011_{exp} \pm 0.0019_{th} from B\to D^{\ast} l νdecay and |V_{cb}| = 0.0434 \pm 0.0041_{exp} \pm 0.0020_{th} from B\to D l νdecay as well as |V_{cb}| = 0.0394 \pm 0.0010_{exp} \pm 0.0014_{th} from inclusive B\to X_c l νdecay.

hep-ph

HQEFT as A Large Component QCD and Comments on The Incompleteness of HQET

The Heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) is revisited in a more intuitive way. It is shown that HQEFT is a consistent large component QCD of heavy quarks. In the non-relativistic limit, HQEFT recovers the non-relativistic QCD (NRQCD). The resulting new effects in the HQEFT of QCD are carefully reexamined. It is then natural to come to the comments on the usual heavy quark effective theory (HQET). Consistent phenomenological applications of HQEFT exhibit its interesting features and completeness in comparison with HQET. It then becomes manifest why we shall base on the HQEFT of QCD rather than HQET which is an incomplete one for computing 1/m_Q corrections. More precise extraction for |V_{cb}| and |V_{ub}| in the HQEFT of QCD is emphasized.

hep-ph

Exclusive B-meson Rare Decays and General Relations of Form Factors in Effective Field Theory of Heavy Quarks

B meson rare decays ($B\to K(K^{*})l\bar l$ and $B\to K^*γ$) are analyzed in the framework of effective field theory of heavy quarks. The semileptonic and penguin type form factors for these decays are calculated by using the light cone sum rules method at the leading order of $1/m_Q$ expansion. Four exact relations between the two types of form factors are obtained at the leading order of $1/m_Q$ expansion. Of particular, the relations are found to hold for whole momentum transfer region. We also investigate the validity of the relations resulted from the large energy effective theory based on the general relations obtained in the present approach. The branching ratios of the rare decays are presented and their potential importance for extracting the CKM matrix elements and probing new physics is emphasized.

hep-ph

B --> rho l nu Decay and |V_{ub}|

B --> rho l nu decay is analyzed in the effective theory of heavy quark with infinite mass limit. The matrix element relevant to the heavy to light vector meson semileptonic decays is parametrized by a set of four heavy flavor-spin independent universal wave functions at the leading order of effective theory. The form factors are calculated at the leading 1/m_Q order using the light cone sum rule method in the framework of effective theory. |V_{ub}| is then extracted via B --> rho l nu decay mode.

hep-ph

Heavy to Light Meson Exclusive Semileptonic Decays in Effective Field Theory of Heavy Quark

We present a general study on exclusive semileptonic decays of heavy (B, D, B_s) to light (pi, rho, K, K^*) mesons in the framework of effective field theory of heavy quark. Transition matrix elements of these decays can be systematically characterized by a set of wave functions which are independent of the heavy quark mass except for the implicit scale dependence. Form factors for all these decays are calculated consistently within the effective theory framework using the light cone sum rule method at the leading order of 1/m_Q expansion. The branching ratios of these decays are evaluated, and the heavy and light flavor symmetry breaking effects are investigated. We also give comparison of our results and the predictions from other approaches, among which are the relations proposed recently in the framework of large energy effective theory.

hep-ph