Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer Code Research Articles

Modelling the fraction of Lyman break galaxies with strong Lyman emission at

We present theoretical results for the expected fraction of Lyman Break Galaxies (LBGs) to be detected as strong Lyman alpha emitters (LAEs) in the redshift range 5 < z < 7. We base our analysis on the 2-billion particle SPH simulation MareNostrum High-z Universe. We approximate galaxies as static dusty slabs with an additional clumpy dust distribution affecting stellar populations younger than 25 Myr. The model for the Lyman alpha escape fraction is based on the results of our Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code (CLARA) for a slab configuration. We also fix the transmission of Lyman alpha photons through the intergalactic medium to a constant value of 50% at all redshifts. From the results of this model we calculate xLya, the fraction of Lyman Break Galaxies with Lyman alpha equivalent width (EW) larger than 50 Angstrom. We find a remarkable agreement with observational data at 4.5 < z < 6. For bright (-22 < MUV < -20.5) and faint (-20.5 < MUV < -18.5) galaxies our model predicts xLya = 0.02 \pm 0.01 and xLya = 0.47 \pm 0.01 while observers report xLya = 0.08 \pm 0.02 and xLya = 0.47 \pm 0.16, respectively. Additional evolution of the extinction model at redshift z \sim 7, that decreases the intensity of transmitted Lyman alpha radiation by a factor of f_T = 0.4 as to match the LAE luminosity function at z \sim 6.5, naturally provides a good match for the recently reported xLya fractions at z > 6.3. Exploring different toy models for the Lyman alpha escape fraction, we show that a decreasing Lyman alpha escape fraction with increasing UV galaxy luminosity is a key element in our model to explain the of larger xLya fractions for fainter LBGs.

HYPERION: an open-source parallelized three-dimensional dust continuum radiative transfer code

HYPERION is a new three-dimensional dust continuum Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code that is designed to be as generic as possible, allowing radiative transfer to be computed through a variety of three-dimensional grids. The main part of the code is problem-independent, and only requires an arbitrary three-dimensional density structure, dust properties, the position and properties of the illuminating sources, and parameters controlling the running and output of the code. HYPERION is parallelized, and is shown to scale well to thousands of processes. Two common benchmark models for protoplanetary disks were computed, and the results are found to be in excellent agreement with those from other codes. Finally, to demonstrate the capabilities of the code, dust temperatures, SEDs, and synthetic multi-wavelength images were computed for a dynamical simulation of a low-mass star formation region. HYPERION is being actively developed to include new features, and is publicly available (http://www.hyperion-rt.org).

EFFICIENT THREE-DIMENSIONAL NLTE DUST RADIATIVE TRANSFER WITH SKIRT

We present an updated version of SKIRT, a 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer code developed to simulate dusty galaxies. The main novel characteristics of the SKIRT code are the use of a stellar foam to generate random positions, an efficient combination of eternal forced scattering and continuous absorption, and a new library approach that links the radiative transfer code to the DustEM dust emission library. This approach enables a fast, accurate and self-consistent calculation of the dust emission of arbitrary mixtures of transiently heated dust grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, even for full 3D models containing millions of dust cells. We have demonstrated the accuracy of the SKIRT code through a set of simulations based on the edge-on spiral galaxy UGC 4754. The models we ran were gradually refined from a smooth, 2D, LTE model to a fully 3D model that includes NLTE dust emission and a clumpy structure of the dusty ISM. We find that clumpy models absorb UV and optical radiation less efficiently than smooth models with the same amount of dust, and that the dust in clumpy models is on average both cooler and less luminous. Our simulations demonstrate that, given the appropriate use of optimization techniques, it is possible to efficiently and accurately run Monte Carlo radiative transfer simulations of arbitrary 3D structures of several million dust cells, including a full calculation of the NLTE emission by arbitrary dust mixtures.

The unusual protoplanetary disk around the T Tauri star ET Chamaeleontis

We present new continuum and line observations, along with modelling, of the faint (6-8) Myr old T Tauri star ET Cha belonging to the eta Chamaeleontis cluster. We have acquired HERSCHEL/PACS photometric fluxes at 70 mic and 160 mic, as well as a detection of the [OI] 63 mic fine-structure line in emission, and derived upper limits for some other far-IR OI, CII, CO and o-H2O lines. The HERSCHEL data is complemented by new ANDICAM B-K photometry, new HST/COS and HST/STIS UV-observations, a non-detection of CO J=3-2 with APEX, re-analysis of a UCLES high-resolution optical spectrum showing forbidden emission lines like [OI] 6300A, [SII] 6731A and 6716A, and [NII] 6583A, and a compilation of existing broad-band photometric data. We used the thermo-chemical disk code ProDiMo and the Monte-Carlo radiative transfer code MCFOST to model the protoplanetary disk around ET Cha. Based on these models we can determine the disk dust mass Mdust = (2.E-8 - 5.E-8) Msun, whereas the total disk gas mass is found to be only little constrained, Mgas = (5.E-5 - 3.E-3) Msun. In the models, the disk extends from 0.022 AU (just outside of the co-rotation radius) to only about 10 AU. Larger disks are found to be inconsistent with the CO J=3-2 non-detection. The low velocity component of the [OI] 6300A emission line is consistent with being emitted from the inner disk. The model can also reproduce the line flux of H2 v=1-0 S(1) at 2.122 mic. An additional high-velocity component of the [OI] 6300A emission line, however, points to the existence of an additional jet/outflow of low velocity (40 - 65) km/s with mass loss rate ~1.E-9 Msun/yr. In relation to our low estimations of the disk mass, such a mass loss rate suggests a disk lifetime of only ~(0.05 - 3) Myr, substantially shorter than the cluster age. The evolutionary state of this unusual protoplanetary disk is discussed.

Spikes in the SED and ripples in the outskirts of galaxies

AbstractWe describe a new method that allows us to quantitatively characterize galactic satellites from analysis of disturbances in outer gas disks, without requiring knowledge of their optical light. We have demonstrated the validity of this method, which we call Tidal Analysis, by applying it to local spirals with known optical companions, including M51 and NGC 1512. These galaxies span the range from having a low mass companion (~ one-hundredth the mass of the primary galaxy) to a fairly massive companion (~ one-third the mass of the primary galaxy). This approach has broad implications for many areas of astrophysics – for the indirect detection of dark matter (or dark matter-dominated dwarf galaxies), and for galaxy evolution in its use as a decipher of the dynamical impact of satellites on galactic disks. Here, we present some preliminary results on the emergent SEDs and images, calculated along the time sequence of these dynamical simulations using the 3-D self-consistent Monte Carlo radiative transfer code RADISHE. We explore star formation prescriptions and how they affect the emergent SEDs and images. Our goal is to identify SED colors that are primarily affected by the galaxy's interaction history, and are not significantly affected by the choice of star formation prescription. If successful, we may be able to utilize the emergent UV-IR SED of the primary galaxy to understand its recent interaction history.

EVIDENCE FOR PRE-EXISTING DUST IN THE BRIGHT TYPE IIn SN 2010jl

SN 2010jl was an extremely bright, Type IIn SNe which showed a significant IR excess no later than 90 days after explosion. We have obtained Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5 \mum and JHK observations of SN 2010jl \sim90 days post explosion. Little to no reddening in the host galaxy indicated that the circumstellar material lost from the progenitor must lie in a torus inclined out of the plane of the sky. The likely cause of the high mid-IR flux is the reprocessing of the initial flash of the SN by pre-existing circumstellar dust. Using a 3D Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer code, we have estimated that between 0.03-0.35 Msun of dust exists in a circumstellar torus around the SN located 6 \times 10 ^17 cm away from the SN and inclined between 60-80\cdot to the plane of the sky. On day 90, we are only seeing the illumination of approximately 5% of this torus, and expect to see an elevated IR flux from this material up until day \sim 450. It is likely this dust was created in an LBV-like mass loss event of more than 3 Msun, which is large but consistent with other LBV progenitors such as {\eta} Carinae.

THE X-RAY POLARIZATION SIGNATURE OF QUIESCENT MAGNETARS: EFFECT OF MAGNETOSPHERIC SCATTERING AND VACUUM POLARIZATION

In the magnetar model, the quiescent non-thermal soft X-ray emission from Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and Soft-Gamma Repeaters is thought to arise from resonant comptonization of thermal photons by charges moving in a twisted magnetosphere. Robust inference of physical quantities from observations is difficult, because the process depends strongly on geometry and current understanding of the magnetosphere is not very deep. The polarization of soft X-ray photons is an independent source of information, and its magnetospheric imprint remains only partially explored. In this paper we calculate how resonant cyclotron scattering would modify the observed polarization signal relative to the surface emission, using a multidimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer code that accounts for the gradual coupling of polarization eigenmodes as photons leave the magnetosphere. We employ a globally-twisted, self-similar, force-free magnetosphere with a power-law momentum distribution, assume a blackbody spectrum for the seed photons, account for general relativistic light deflection close to the star, and assume that vacuum polarization dominates the dielectric properties of the magnetosphere. The latter is a good approximation if the pair multiplicity is not much larger than unity. Phase-averaged polarimetry is able to provide a clear signature of the magnetospheric reprocessing of thermal photons and to constrain mechanisms generating the thermal emission. Phase-resolved polarimetry, in addition, can characterize the spatial extent and magnitude of the magnetospheric twist angle at ~100 stellar radii, and discern between uni- or bidirectional particle energy distributions, almost independently of every other parameter in the system. We discuss prospects for detectability with GEMS.

INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF THE DIFFUSE IONIZED HALOS OF EDGE-ON GALAXIES

We present a study of ionized gas, PAHs, and molecular hydrogen emission in the halos of three edge-on galaxies, NGC 891, NGC 5775 and NGC 3044, based on 10-20 micron Spitzer Space Telescope spectra. The [Ne III]/[Ne II] ratio, an excellent measure of radiation hardness, rises with z in the halo of NGC 891. It is also higher in the halo of NGC 5775 than in the disk. NGC 3044 presents a more confusing situation. To explain the [Ne III]/[Ne II] as well as optical line ratio behavior in NGC 891, we carry out a simple exploration of parameter space with CLOUDY, which indicates a large increase in radiation temperature with height. Illustrative examples of physical models using a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code show that the rising neon ratio may be explained by adding a vertically extended, hot stellar source to a thin disk of massive stars. However, several other sources of hard spectra may be relevant. PAH features have scale heights of 430--530 pc in NGC 891 and 720--1080 pc in NGC 5775, suggesting they can be transported by disk-halo flows. Within NGC 891 and NGC 5775, scale heights are similar for all PAHs. For NGC 891, the scale heights exceed that of 8 micron emission, indicating a transition from more ionized to more neutral PAHs with height. Most PAH equivalent widths are higher in the halos. Molecular hydrogen 17.03 micron emission with scale heights of 550-580 pc in NGC 891 and 850 pc in NGC 5775 suggests a molecular component in a surprisingly thick layer.

A NEW DIAGNOSTIC OF THE RADIAL DENSITY STRUCTURE OF Be DISKS

We analyze the intrinsic polarization of two classical Be stars in the process of losing their circumstellar disks via a Be to normal B star transition originally reported by Wisniewski et al. During each of five polarimetric outbursts which interrupt these disk-loss events, we find that the ratio of the polarization across the Balmer jump (BJ+/BJ-) versus the V-band polarization traces a distinct loop structure as a function of time. Since the polarization change across the Balmer jump is a tracer of the innermost disk density whereas the V-band polarization is a tracer of the total scattering mass of the disk, we suggest such correlated loop structures in Balmer jump-V band polarization diagrams (BJV diagrams) provide a unique diagnostic of the radial distribution of mass within Be disks. We use the 3-D Monte Carlo radiation transfer code HDUST to reproduce the observed clockwise loops simply by turning "on/off" the mass decretion from the disk. We speculate that counter-clockwise loop structures we observe in BJV diagrams might be caused by the mass decretion rate changing between subsequent "on/off" sequences. Applying this new diagnostic to a larger sample of Be disk systems will provide insight into the time-dependent nature of each system's stellar decretion rate.

The initial conditions of high-mass star formation: radiative transfer models of IRDCs seen in theHerschelHi-GAL survey

The densest infrared dark clouds (IRDCs) may represent the earliest observable stage of high-mass star formation. These clouds are very cold, hence they emit mainly at far-infrared and sub-mm wavelengths. For the first time, Herschel has provided multi-wavelength, spatially resolved observations of cores within IRDCs, which, when combined with radiative transfer modelling, can constrain their properties, such as mass, density profile and dust temperature. We use a 3D, multi-wavelength Monte Carlo radiative transfer code to model in detail the emission from six cores in three typical IRDCs seen in the Hi-GAL survey (G030.50+00.95, G031.03+00.26 and G031.03+00.76), and thereby to determine the properties of these cores and compare them with their low-mass equivalents. We found masses ranging from 90 to 290 solar masses with temperatures from 8 to 11K at the centre of each core and 18 to 28K at the surface. The maximum luminosity of an embedded star within each core was calculated, and we rule out the possibility of significant high mass star formation having yet occurred in three of our cores.

PAH in vectorized three dimensional Monte Carlo dust radiative transfer models

We present a Monte Carlo (MC) radiative transfer code for complex three dimensional dust distributions and include transiently heated PAH. The correctness of the code is confirmed by comparison with benchmark results. The method makes use of the parallelization capabilities of modern vectorized computing units like graphic cards. The computational speed grows linearly with the number of graphical processing units (GPU). On a conventional desktop PC, our code is up to a factor 100 faster when compared to other MC algorithms. As an example, we compute the dust emission of proto-planetary disks. We simulate how a mid-IR instrument mounted at a future 42 m ELT will detect such disks. Two cases are distinguished: a homogeneous disk and a disk with an outward migrating planet, producing a gap and a spiral density wave. We find that the resulting mid-IR spectra of both disks are almost identical. However, they can be distinguished at those wavelengths by coronographic, dual-band imaging. Finally, the emission of PAHs exposed to different radiation fields is computed. We demonstrate that PAH emission depends not only on the strength but also strongly on the hardness of the radiation, a fact which has often been neglected in previous models. We find that hard photons (>20 eV) easily dissociate all PAHs in the disks of T Tauri stars. To explain the low, but not negligible detection rate (<10%) of PAHs in T Tau disks, we suggest that turbulent motions act as a possible path for PAH survival.

PROTOPLANETARY DISK STRUCTURES IN OPHIUCHUS. II. EXTENSION TO FAINTER SOURCES

We present new results from a significant extension of our previous high angular resolution (0.3" = 40 AU) Submillimeter Array survey of the 880 um continuum emission from dusty circumstellar disks in the ~1 Myr-old Ophiuchus star-forming region. An expanded sample is constructed to probe disk structures that emit significantly lower millimeter luminosities (hence dust masses), down to the median value for T Tauri stars. Using a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, the millimeter visibilities and broadband spectral energy distribution for each disk are simultaneously reproduced with a two-dimensional parametric model for a viscous accretion disk. We find wide ranges of characteristic radii (14-198 AU) and disk masses (0.004-0.143 M_sun), but a narrow distribution of surface density gradients (0.4-1.1) that is consistent with a uniform value $\gamma$ = 0.9 +/- 0.2 and independent of mass (or millimeter luminosity). In this sample, we find a correlation between the disk luminosity/mass and characteristic radius, such that fainter disks are both smaller and less massive. We suggest that this relationship is an imprint of the initial conditions inherited by the disks at their formation epoch, compare their angular momenta with those of molecular cloud cores, and speculate on how future observations can help constrain the distribution of viscous evolution timescales. No other correlations between disk and star properties are found. The inferred disk structures are briefly compared with theoretical models for giant planet formation, although resolution limitations do not permit us to directly comment on material inside R = 20 AU. However, there is some compelling evidence for dust evolution in the planet formation region: 4/17 disks in the sample show resolved regions of significantly reduced optical depths within ~20-40 AU of their central stars.

Herschelobservations of deuterated water towards Sgr B2(M)

Observations of HDO are an important complement for studies of water, because they give strong constraints on the formation processes -- grain surfaces versus energetic process in the gas phase, e.g. in shocks. The HIFI observations of multiple transitions of HDO in Sgr~B2(M) presented here allow the determination of the HDO abundance throughout the envelope, which has not been possible before with ground-based observations only. The abundance structure has been modeled with the spherical Monte Carlo radiative transfer code RATRAN, which also takes radiative pumping by continuum emission from dust into account. The modeling reveals that the abundance of HDO rises steeply with temperature from a low abundance ($2.5\times 10^{-11}$) in the outer envelope at temperatures below 100~K through a medium abundance ($1.5\times 10^{-9}$) in the inner envelope/outer core, at temperatures between 100 and 200~K, and finally a high abundance ($3.5\times 10^{-9}$) at temperatures above 200~K in the hot core.

Water abundances in high-mass protostellar envelopes:Herschelobservations with HIFI

We derive the dense core structure and the water abundance in four massive star-forming regions which may help understand the earliest stages of massive star formation. We present Herschel-HIFI observations of the para-H2O 1_11-0_00 and 2_02-1_11 and the para-H2-18O 1_11-0_00 transitions. The envelope contribution to the line profiles is separated from contributions by outflows and foreground clouds. The envelope contribution is modelled using Monte-Carlo radiative transfer codes for dust and molecular lines (MC3D and RATRAN), with the water abundance and the turbulent velocity width as free parameters. While the outflows are mostly seen in emission in high-J lines, envelopes are seen in absorption in ground-state lines, which are almost saturated. The derived water abundances range from 5E-10 to 4E-8 in the outer envelopes. We detect cold clouds surrounding the protostar envelope, thanks to the very high quality of the Herschel-HIFI data and the unique ability of water to probe them. Several foreground clouds are also detected along the line of sight. The low H2O abundances in massive dense cores are in accordance with the expectation that high densities and low temperatures lead to freeze-out of water on dust grains. The spread in abundance values is not clearly linked to physical properties of the sources.

An observer's view of simulated galaxies: disc-to-total ratios, bars and (pseudo-)bulges

Abstract We use cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of the formation of Milky Way-mass galaxies to study the relative importance of the main stellar components, i.e. discs, bulges and bars, at redshift zero. The main aim of this Letter is to understand if estimates of the structural parameters of these components determined from kinematics (as is usually done in simulations) agree well with those obtained using a photometric bulge/disc/bar decomposition (as done in observations). To perform such a comparison, we have produced synthetic observations of the simulation outputs with the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code sunrise and used the budda code to make 2D photometric decompositions of the resulting images (in the i and g bands). We find that the kinematic disc-to-total (D/T) ratio estimates are systematically and significantly lower than the photometric ones. While the maximum D/T ratios obtained with the former method are of the order of 0.2, they are typically &amp;gt;0.4, and can be as high as 0.7, according to the latter. The photometric decomposition shows that many of the simulated galaxies have bars, with Bar/T ratios in the range 0.2–0.4, and that bulges have in all cases low Sérsic indices, resembling observed pseudo-bulges instead of classical ones. Simulated discs, bulges and bars generally have similar g−i colours, which are in the blue tail of the distribution of observed colours. This is not due to the presence of young stars, but rather due to low metallicities and poor gas content in the simulated galaxies, which makes dust extinction low. Photometric decompositions thus match the component ratios usually quoted for spiral galaxies better than kinematic decompositions, but the shift is insufficient to make the simulations consistent with observed late-type systems.

STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF TWO TRANSITIONAL CIRCUMSTELLAR DISKS IN CORONA AUSTRALIS

The late stages of evolution of the primordial circumstellar disks surrounding young stars are poorly understood, yet vital to constrain theories of planet formation. We consider basic structural models for the disks around two ~10 Myr-old members of the nearby RCrA association, RX J1842.9-3532 and RX J1852.3-3700. We present new arcsecond-resolution maps of their 230 GHz continuum emission from the Submillimeter Array and unresolved CO(3-2) spectra from the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment. By combining these data with broadband fluxes from the literature and infrared fluxes and spectra from the catalog of the Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems (FEPS) Legacy program on the Spitzer Space Telescope, we assemble a multiwavelength data set probing the gas and dust disks. Using the Monte Carlo radiative transfer code RADMC to model simultaneously the SED and millimeter continuum visibilities, we derive basic dust disk properties and identify an inner cavity of radius 16 AU in the disk around RX J1852.3-3700. We also identify an optically thin 5 AU cavity in the disk around RX J1842.9-3532, with a small amount of optically thick material close to the star. The molecular line observations suggest an intermediate disk inclination in RX J1842.9-3532, consistent with the continuum emission. In combination with the dust models, the molecular data allow us to derive a lower CO content than expected, suggesting that the process of gas clearing is likely underway in both systems, perhaps simultaneously with planet formation.

THE GEOMETRY AND IONIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE WIND IN THE ECLIPSING NOVA-LIKE VARIABLES RW TRI AND UX UMa

The UV spectra of nova-like variables are dominated by emission from the accretion disk, modified by scattering in a wind emanating from the disk. Here we model the spectra of RW Tri and UX UMa, the only two eclipsing nova-likes which have been observed with the Hubble Space Telescope in the far-ultraviolet, in an attempt to constrain the geometry and the ionization structure of their winds. Using our Monte Carlo radiative transfer code we computed spectra for simply-parameterized axisymmetric biconical outflow models and were able to find plausible models for both systems. These reproduce the primary UV resonance lines - N V, Si IV, and C IV - in the observed spectra in and out of eclipse. The distribution of these ions in the wind models is similar in both cases as is the extent of the primary scattering regions in which these lines are formed. The inferred mass loss rates are 6% to 8% of the mass accretion rates for the systems. We discuss the implication of our point models for our understanding of accretion disk winds in cataclysmic variables.

Accelerating dust temperature calculations with graphics-processing units

Abstract When calculating the infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of galaxies in radiation-transfer models, the calculation of dust grain temperatures is generally the most time-consuming part of the calculation. Because of its highly parallel nature, this calculation is perfectly suited for massively parallel general-purpose graphics-processing units (GPUs). This paper presents an implementation of the calculation of dust grain equilibrium temperatures on GPUs in the Monte-Carlo radiation transfer code sunrise , using the CUDA API. The GPU can perform this calculation 69 times faster than the eight CPU cores, showing great potential for accelerating calculations of galaxy SEDs.

Disk-loss and disk-renewal phases in classical Be stars – II. Detailed analysis of spectropolarimetric data

AbstractIn Wisniewski et al. (2010), paper I, we analyzed 15 years of spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric data from the Ritter and Pine Bluff Observatories of 2 Be stars, 60 Cygni and π Aquarii, when a transition from Be to B star occurred. Here we analyze the intrinsic polarization, where we observe loop-like structures caused by the rise and fall of the polarization Balmer Jump and continuum V-band polarization being mismatched temporaly with polarimetric outbursts. We also see polarization angle deviations from the mean, reported in paper I, which may be indicative of warps in the disk, blobs injected at an inclined orbit, or spiral density waves. We show our ongoing efforts to model time dependent behavior of the disk to constrain the phenomena, using 3D Monte Carlo radiative transfer codes.

HD 95881: a gas rich to gas poor transition disk?

Context. Based on the far infrared excess the Herbig class of stars is divided into a group with flaring circumstellar disks (group I) and a group with flat circumstellar disks (group II). Dust sedimentation is generally proposed as an evolution mechanism to transform flaring disks into flat disks. Theory predicts that during this process the disks preserve their gas content, however observations of group II Herbig Ae stars demonstrate a lack of gas. Aims. We map the spatial distribution of the gas and dust around the group II Herbig Ae star HD 95881. Methods. We analyze optical photometry, Q-band imaging, infrared spectroscopy, and K and N-band interferometric spectroscopy. We use a Monte Carlo radiative transfer code to create a model for the density and temperature structure which quite accurately reproduces all the observables. Results. We derive a consistent picture in which the disk consists of a thick puffed up inner rim and an outer region which has a flaring gas surface and is relatively void of 'visible' dust grains. Conclusions. HD 95881 is in a transition phase from a gas rich flaring disk to a gas poor self-shadowed disk.