Magnetic Spots Research Articles

Why Observations at Mid-infrared Wavelengths Partially Mitigate M Dwarf Star Host Stellar Activity Contamination in Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy

Exoplanet atmosphere transmission spectroscopy for planets orbiting M dwarf stars faces significant challenges due to contamination from stellar magnetic features, i.e., spots and faculae. These features make the stellar surface inhomogeneous and introduce wavelength-dependent signals in the transmission spectrum that complicate its analysis. We identify and explain why using observations at infrared wavelengths greater than a few microns partially mitigates stellar contamination. At these wavelengths the intensity sensitivity to temperature weakens, with two significant consequences. First, the contribution of spots and faculae has a diminished effect because their flux contrast to the quiet-star regions lessens. Second, the star’s spectral features compress in magnitude, an outcome of spectral features being shaped by the star’s photospheric vertical temperature gradient. Both factors are due to the Planck function moving from exponential to linear in temperature toward mid-infrared (mid-IR) wavelengths (the “Rayleigh–Jeans tail”). In contrast to stellar spectra, the depth of the transmission spectroscopy features does not fundamentally vary with wavelength as it is primarily determined by the planet’s atmospheric scale height. The magnitude of reduction in stellar contamination is a factor of a few to several at mid-IR versus near-IR wavelengths, but whether or not this is enough to bypass stellar contamination ultimately depends on the spot coverage area. Nonetheless, the flattening of thermal emission spectral features at IR wavelengths is universal.

EFFECT OF A MAGNETIC FIELD ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF RESISTANCE SPOT WELDED JOINTS OF 444 FERRITIC STAINLESS STEEL/6082 ALUMINUM ALLOY

To improve the welding quality of resistance spot welding joints of steel/aluminum lightweight structures, the steady magnetic field-assisted resistance spot welding method was used to weld 444 ferritic stainless steel and 6082 aluminum alloy, both with a thickness of 1 mm. Under the same welding parameters, the effect of a magnetic field on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint was analyzed. It was found that the Lorentz force generated by the addition of a magnetic field promoted the circumferential movement of the molten metal in the nugget zone, increased the size of the Fe/Al contact interface in the joint along the horizontal direction, and made an effective use of the heat generated during resistance spot welding. Although the intermetallic compounds in the intermediate transition layer of the two welded materials were mainly composed of (Fe, Cr, Si)Al2 and (Fe, Cr, Si)Al3, relatively low contents of (Fe, Cr, Si)Al2 and (Fe, Cr, Si)Al3 were found and a there was a significant decrease in the thickness of the intermetallic compound layer when the magnetic field was applied. Compared with the welded joint devoid of a magnetic field, the tensile strength and ductility of the joint were effectively improved, and the dimples in the fracture surface became relatively deep and numerous. In essence, resistance spot welding joints of steel/aluminum obtain better comprehensive mechanical properties when a magnetic field is applied.

Generation of a super-oscillation magnetization hotspot by reversing the electric dipole array radiation

We propose an all-optical approach to realize a super-oscillatory longitudinal magnetization hotspot with about 0.1λ in a 4π focusing system using time-reversed dipole radiation and vector diffraction theory calculations. Such a magnetization behavior is induced by focal fields of opposite polarities in the central and peripheral regions based on the inverse Faraday effect. By regulating the destructive interference in the central and peripheral regions of the focal field, a super-oscillating magnetization field is generated. Moreover, two important parameters affect the size of the magnetization field are also explored. Superoscillating magnetization hotspots in the focal region can be achieved by either increasing δ (the intensity of electric field) or reducing dn (the distance of electric field). The achieved ultrasmall magnetization spot shows great prospects in high-density magnetic recording, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic sensors.

A survey for variable young stars with small telescopes – VIII. Properties of 1687 Gaia selected members in 21 nearby clusters

ABSTRACT The Hunting Outbursting Young Stars (HOYS) project performs long-term, optical, multifilter, high cadence monitoring of 25 nearby young clusters and star-forming regions. Utilizing Gaia DR3 data, we have identified about 17 000 potential young stellar members in 45 coherent astrometric groups in these fields. Twenty one of them are clear young groups or clusters of stars within 1 kpc and they contain 9143 Gaia selected potential members. The cluster distances, proper motions, and membership numbers are determined. We analyse long-term (≈ 7 yr) V-, R-, and I-band light curves from HOYS for 1687 of the potential cluster members. One quarter of the stars are variable in all three optical filters, and two-thirds of these have light curves that are symmetric around the mean. Light curves affected by obscuration from circumstellar materials are more common than those affected by accretion bursts, by a factor of 2–4. The variability fraction in the clusters ranges from 10 per cent to almost 100 per cent, and correlates positively with the fraction of stars with detectable inner discs, indicating that a lot of variability is driven by the disc. About one in six variables shows detectable periodicity, mostly caused by magnetic spots. Two-thirds of the periodic variables with disc excess emission are slow rotators, and amongst the stars without disc excess two-thirds are fast rotators – in agreement with rotation being slowed down by the presence of a disc.

Mid-infrared Variability of Young Stellar Objects on Timescales of Days to Years

Variability in the brightness of young stellar objects (YSOs) is a common phenomenon that can be caused by changes in various factors, including accretion, extinction, disk morphology, interactions between the disk and the stellar photosphere, and the rotation of hot or cold magnetic spots on the stellar photosphere. Analyzing the variability on different timescales provides insight into the mechanisms driving the changes in the brightness of YSOs. We investigate the variability of YSOs on both long and short timescales using two mid-IR data sets: the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) 7.5 yr W2 (4.6 μm) data and the YSOVAR 40 day Spitzer/IRAC2 (4.5 μm) data, respectively. We classify the variability types in each timescale following Park et al. We find a higher detection rate of variable sources in the short term (77.6%) compared to the long term (43.0%) due to the higher sensitivity of the Spitzer observations. In addition, the higher cadence of the YSOVAR data results in the weeks-long short-term variability being mostly secular, while the years-long long-term variability explored with the coarsely sampled NEOWISE data is mostly stochastic. By crossmatching the two catalogs, we statistically analyze the variability types exhibited by YSOs across both timescales. The long-term variability amplitude is mostly three times (up to 10 times) greater than the short-term variability. Furthermore, we evaluate variability on very short (1–2 days) timescales and recover a trend of the increasing amplitude of variability as the timescales increase. By comprehensively analyzing the variability of YSOs over various timescales, we contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving their variability.

Revisiting the membership, multiplicity, and age of the Beta Pictoris Moving Group in the Gaia era

ABSTRACT Determining the precise ages of young (tens to a few hundred Myr) kinematic (‘moving’) groups is important for placing star, protoplanetary disc, and planet observations on an evolutionary timeline. The nearby ∼25 Myr-old β Pictoris Moving Group (BPMG) is an important benchmark for studying stars and planetary systems at the end of the primordial disc phase. Gaia DR3 astrometry and photometry, combined with ground-based observations and more sophisticated stellar models, permit a systematic re-evaluation of BPMG membership and age. We combined Gaia astrometry with previously published radial velocities to evaluate moving group membership in a Bayesian framework. To minimize the effect of unresolved stellar multiplicity on age estimates, we identified and excluded multistar systems using Gaia astrometry, ground-based adaptive optics imaging, and multi-epoch radial velocities, as well as literature identifications. We estimated age using isochrone and lithium-depletion-boundary fitting with models that account for the effect of magnetic activity and spots on young, rapidly rotating stars. We find that age estimates are highly model-dependent; Dartmouth magnetic models with ages of 23 ± 8 and 33$^{+9}_{-11}$ Myr provide best fits to the lithium depletion boundary and Gaia MG versus BP–RP colour–magnitude diagram, respectively, whereas a Dartmouth standard model with an age of 11$^{+4}_{-3}$ Myr provides a best fit to the 2-Micron All-Sky Survey-Gaia$M_{K_S}$ versus BP–RP colour–magnitude diagram.

Story Czech non-destructive structuroscopy

Non-destructive testing consists of defectoscopy and structoscopy. The paper presents the Czech instrumental history of electromagnetic structoscopy since the fifteenth years of twenty centuries. Comparaing very simple aparatus of SK series; Electron FEROSKOP as a predecessor of Foerster's Q-Magnet test. Quasi-static pulsed REMAGs with sheath wire reels. Highly productive and inexpensive MELVIS multi-frequency systems; The DOMENA series of battery-powered mobile devices based on the magnetic spot principle. TELIT series of combined structuroscopes (MT+UT). Magnetic Acceptive Testing (STALEMAT). Piece of knowledge from application, current status.

A Lithium Depletion Age for the Carina Association

The dispersed remnants of stellar nurseries, stellar associations, provide unparalleled samples of coeval stars critical for studies of stellar and planetary formation and evolution. The Carina Stellar Association is one of the closest stellar associations to Earth, and yet measurements of its age have varied from 13 to 45 Myr. We aim to update the age of Carina using the lithium depletion boundary (LDB) method. We obtain new measurements of the Li 6708 Å absorption feature in likely members using optical spectra from the Goodman High Throughput Spectrograph on SOAR and NRES on LCO. We detect the depletion boundary at M K ≃ 6.8 (M5). This age is consistent within uncertainties across six different models, including those that account for magnetic fields and spots. We also estimate the age through analysis of the group’s overall variability, and by comparing the association members’ color–magnitude diagram to stellar evolutionary models using a Gaussian Mixture Model, recovering ages consistent with the LDB. Combining these age measures we obtain an age for the Carina association of Myr. The resulting age agrees with the older end of previous age measurements and is consistent with the lithium depletion age for the neighboring Tucana-Horologium moving group.

Controlled Electric and Magnetic Hot Spots in All-Dielectric Metasurfaces with High-Q Resonances

Controlled Electric and Magnetic Hot Spots in All-Dielectric Metasurfaces with High-<i>Q</i> Resonances

Study on magnetic pulse spot welding process for AA5052 aluminium alloy

Magnetic pulse spot welding (MPSW) is a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly process, which is very suitable for joining aluminium alloys. AA5052 aluminium alloy sheets were joined by MPSW. Specifically, the bump on the flyer plate was driven to impact the parent plate at high velocity to achieve metallurgical bonding. The formation process, mechanical properties and micro-morphology of the joint were studied. The results showed that the bump of the flyer plate impacted the parent plate at high velocity caused by Lorentz force to form welding seam. The shape of the welding seam was two incompletely continuous symmetrical elliptical arcs due to the different welding velocities and welding angles in each zone. The strength of the joint was higher than that of the base metal at appropriate process parameters. Specifically, the relatively better process parameters were welding gap of 1.4 mm, welding diameter of 16 mm and discharge energy of 36 kJ. The maximum loads of tensile shear and cross-tension were 4887 N, 1744 N. There were a large amount of dimples at the fracture of welding seam, and the toughness of joint was good.

Unresolved Rossby and gravity modes in 214 A and F stars showing rotational modulation

ABSTRACT Here, we report an ensemble study of 214 A- and F-type stars observed by Kepler, exhibiting the so-called hump and spike periodic signal, explained by Rossby modes (r modes) – the hump – and magnetic stellar spots or overstable convective (OsC) modes – the spike, respectively. We determine the power confined in the non-resolved hump features and find additional gravity-mode (g-mode) humps always occurring at higher frequencies than the spike. Furthermore, we derive projected rotational velocities from FIES, SONG, and HERMES spectra for 28 stars and the stellar inclination angle for 89 stars. We find a strong correlation between the spike amplitude and the power in the r and g modes, which suggests that both types of oscillations are mechanically excited by either stellar spots or OsC modes. Our analysis suggests that stars with a higher power in m = 1 r-mode humps are more likely to also exhibit humps at higher azimuthal orders (m = 2, 3, or 4). Interestingly, all stars that show g-mode humps are hotter and more luminous than the observed red edge of the δ Scuti instability strip, suggesting that either magnetic fields or convection in the outer layers could play an important role.

A candidate magnetic helium-core white dwarf in the globular cluster NGC 6397

ABSTRACT We report a peculiar variable blue star in the globular cluster (GC) NGC 6397, using Hubble Space Telescope optical imaging. Its position in the colour–magnitude diagrams and its spectrum are consistent with this star being a helium-core white dwarf (He WD) in a binary system. The optical light curve shows a periodicity at 18.5 h. We argue that this periodicity is due to the rotation of the WD and possibly due to magnetic spots on the surface of the WD. This would make this object the first candidate magnetic He WD in any GC, and the first candidate magnetic WD in a detached binary system in any GC and one of the few He WDs with a known rotation period and of magnetic nature. Another possibility is that this system is an He WD in a binary system with another WD or another degenerate object, which would make this object one of the few candidate non-accreting double-degenerate binaries in any GC.

Simulations of magnetic Bragg scattering in transmission electron microscopy

We have simulated the magnetic Bragg scattering in transmission electron microscopy in two antiferromagnetic compounds, NiO and LaMnAsO. This weak magnetic phenomenon was experimentally observed in NiO by Loudon (2012). We have computationally reproduced Loudon’s experimental data, and for comparison we have performed calculations for the LaMnAsO compound as a more challenging case, containing lower concentration of magnetic elements and strongly scattering heavier non-magnetic elements. We have also described thickness and voltage dependence of the intensity of the antiferromagnetic Bragg spot for both compounds. We have considered lattice vibrations within two computational approaches, one assuming a static lattice with Debye–Waller smeared potentials, and another explicitly considering the atomic vibrations within the quantum excitations of phonons model (thermal diffuse scattering). The structural analysis shows that the antiferromagnetic Bragg spot appears in between (111) and (000) reflections for NiO, while for LaMnAsO the antiferromagnetic Bragg spot appears at the position of the (010) reflection in the diffraction pattern, which corresponds to a forbidden reflection of the crystal structure. Calculations predict that the intensity of the magnetic Bragg spot in NiO is significantly stronger than thermal diffuse scattering at room temperature. For LaMnAsO, the magnetic Bragg spot is weaker than the room-temperature thermal diffuse scattering, but its detection can be facilitated at reduced temperatures.

Rotational modulation in A and F stars: magnetic stellar spots or convective core rotation?

ABSTRACT The Kepler mission revealed a plethora of stellar variability in the light curves of many stars, some associated with magnetic activity or stellar oscillations. In this work, we analyse the periodic signal in 162 intermediate-mass stars, interpreted as Rossby modes and rotational modulation – the so-called hump and spike feature. We investigate whether the rotational modulation (spike) is due to stellar spots caused by magnetic fields or due to Overstable Convective (OsC) modes resonantly exciting g modes, with frequencies corresponding to the convective core rotation rate. Assuming that the spikes are created by magnetic spots at the stellar surface, we recover the amplitudes of the magnetic fields, which are in good agreement with theoretical predictions. Our data show a clear anticorrelation between the spike amplitudes and stellar mass and possibly a correlation with stellar age, consistent with the dynamo-generated magnetic fields theory in (sub)-surface convective layers. Investigating the harmonic behaviour, we find that for 125 stars neither of the two possible explanations can be excluded. While our results suggest that the dynamo-generated magnetic field scenario is more likely to explain the spike feature, we assess further work is needed to distinguish between the two scenarios. One method for ruling out one of the two explanations is to directly observe magnetic fields in hump and spike stars. Another would be to impose additional constraints through detailed modelling of our stars, regarding the rotation requirement in the OsC mode scenario or the presence of a convective-core (stellar age).

Dynamic complex opto-magnetic holography

Despite recent significant progress in real-time, large-area computer-generated holography, its memory requirements and computational loads will be hard to tackle for several decades to come with the current paradigm based on a priori calculations and bit-plane writing to a spatial light modulator. Here we experimentally demonstrate a holistic approach to serial computation and repeatable writing of computer-generated dynamic holograms without Fourier transform, using minimal amounts of computer memory. We use the ultrafast opto-magnetic recording of holographic patterns in a ferrimagnetic film with femtosecond laser pulses, driven by the on-the-fly hardware computation of a single holographic point. The intensity-threshold nature of the magnetic medium allows sub-diffraction-limited, point-by-point toggling of arbitrarily localized magnetic spots on the sample, according to the proposed circular detour-phase encoding, providing complex modulation and symmetrical suppression of upper diffractive orders and conjugated terms in holographically reconstructed 3-D images.

A decade-long magnetic monitoring of Vega

Aims. The very weak magnetic field detected at the surface of Vega hints at a widespread population of weakly magnetic stars of A and B spectral types. We contribute here to gather more clues about the origin of this magnetism by investigating the long-term stability of the field geometry of this prototypical star. Methods. We use spectropolarimetric data collected as part of a long-term campaign, with more than 2000 observations spread between 2008 and 2018. Using various sub-sets extracted from the whole time series, we reconstruct several maps of the large-scale surface magnetic field. Results. We confirm that the polarimetric signal is modulated according to a ~0.68 d period, which we interpret as the stellar rotation period. The surface magnetic field is organized in a complex geometry. We confirm the existence of a very localized, polar magnetic spot previously reported for Vega, with a radial field strength of about −5 G. We show that the surface of the star is also covered by a dipole, with a polar strength close to 9 G and a dipole obliquity close to 90°. Both magnetic structures are remarkably stable over one decade. The available data suggest that smaller-scale magnetic spots may not be limited to the polar region, although the poor reliability of their reconstruction does not allow us to firmly conclude about their temporal evolution.

Utilization of PVA nano-membrane based synthesized magnetic GO-Ni-Fe2O4 nanoparticles for removal of heavy metals from water resources

Fabricating highly efficient removal nanomembrane based on magnetic characteristics and active spots can fastly be able to capture lots of heavy metals from wastewater resources, even at trace levels. Thus, this research addresses a bio-nanomembrane based on consolidated magnetic graphene oxide modified by Ni-ferrite nanoparticles (mGO) inside sustainable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by a solvent-casting method. The structure of synthesized GO and the mGO hybrid was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Three variable proportions of mGO (i.e., 1, 3 and 5 wt%) were used to fabricate magnetic PVA nanomembranes. The morphology of PVA nanomembranes was examined by XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The XRD patterns and SEM images exhibited that the degree of crystallinity and dispersibility of mGO nanoparticles in the PVA matrix were promoted, especially at 3 wt%. Other measurements such as mechanical, magnetic properties and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on the fabricated PVA nanomembranes. Furthermore, the adsorption properties of PVA nanomembranes in terms of the effect of metal ions concentration, pH and contacting time were discussed. Most outcomes manifested that the optimum PVA nanomembrane was achieved at 3 wt% and its removal efficiency was ranged from 81 to 98 % dependent on the metal ion type. Additionally, the kinetic and isotherm models were proposed to describe the adsorption performance of PVA/mGO-3% membrane, as well as the adsorption mechanism of heavy metals elimination. The obtained outcomes provide a promising candidate for use these nanomembranes in safe remediated water resources for agriculture purposes.

Engineered near- and far-field optical response of dielectric nanostructures using focused cylindrical vector beams

Near- and far-field optical properties of silicon nanostructures under linear polarization (Gaussian beam) and azimuthally or radially focused cylindrical vector beams are investigated by finite-difference time-domain method (FDTD) in Meep open-source software. A python toolkit allowing FDTD simulations in Meep for using those excitation sources is provided. In addition to the preferential excitation of specific electric or magnetic resonance modes as a function of the excitation beam polarization, it is shown in the case of spheroids that shape anisotropy affects the resonance wavelength and the dipole orientation of the magnetic or electric dipole mode. Depending on the spheroid symmetry axis with respect to the electric field orientation, the electric dipole resonance can be split into two peaks, giving quasi-unidirectional scattering, separated by an anapole mode. The optical properties in both far-field (scattering pattern) and near-field (electric and magnetic field hot spots) can be tuned by changing the excitation polarization at a fixed wavelength and selecting properly the spheroid shape and dimensions. These numerical simulations are extended to top-down fabrication-friendly nanostructures such as nanocylinders with circular or elliptic sections.

Specific features of the structure and properties of arc-PVD coatings depending on the spatial arrangement of the sample in the chamber

The paper considers the influence of the spatial arrangement of samples in the unit chamber on parameters of deposited coatings when using a vacuum arc evaporator with controlled accelerated motion of a cathode spot of Arc-PVD (CAA-PVD) compared to a standard used in NNW6.6 evaporator with magnetic cathode spot retention by axial field. The distance from a sample to the cathode surface and an offset of the sample about the central axis of the cathode were varied. The study reveals the regular patterns’ influence on the spatial sample arrangement on coating properties, such as thickness, microhardness, surface macroparticle content density, and crystal structure. Using the CAA-PVD technology allows reducing the distance from the cathode surface to the samples from 230 to 150 mm, forming a coating with a higher microhardness and lower density of microparticles than the standard used in NNW6.6 evaporator. It is found that a CAA-PVD evaporator forms a coating with a higher hardness and lower density of microparticles compared to a NNW6.6 evaporator. The application of the CAA-PVD technology significantly (by 30–270%) reduces the density of microparticles on the coating surface, and the coating is characterized by a more uniform thickness and distribution of microparticle density.

Mechanical properties and joining mechanisms of Al-Fe magnetic pulse welding by spot form for automotive application

Magnetic pulse welding (MPW) has the unique advantages in realizing the connection of dissimilar materials, such as waveform interface, reliable joint and high strength. However, the air gap must be ensured by placing the gasket. Magnetic pulse spot welding (MPSW) has great potential in industrial applications for not requiring additional equipment to ensure the air gap between the two plates during the welding process. In this paper, a comparative study of flat-head type welding joint and convex-head type welding joint with dissimilar materials jointed by MPSW was carried out. Mechanical properties, joining mechanism, and interfacial morphology of the two joints were studied by tensile tests, numerical simulations, and microscopic observations. The results showed that different forms of flyer plate had a significant influence on the performance of the joint as it led to different weld lengths. The tensile strength of the convex-head type was higher than that of the flat-head type. In contrast, the flat-head type had better shear strength than the convex-head type because additional torsional force was formed. In general, these two different joints of MPSW had their characteristics. Therefore, the type of welding joint could be selected according to the actual needs. This research broadens the idea of the MPSW of Al-Fe for vehicle bodies applications.