Naturalness in Higgs inflation in a frame independent formalism [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3219

We make use of the frame and gauge independent formalism for scalar and tensor cosmological perturbations developed in Ref. [1] to show that the physical cutoff for 2-to-2 tree level scatterings in Higgs inflation is above the Planck scale M_P throughout inflation. More precisely, we found that in the Jordan frame, the physical cutoff scale is $({\Lambda}/a)_J \gtrsim \sqrt{M_P^2+{\xi}{\phi}^2}$, while in the Einstein frame it is $({\Lambda}/a)_J \gtrsim M_P$, where $\xi$ is the nonminimal coupling and $\phi$ denotes the Higgs vev during inflation. The dimensionless ratio of the physical cutoff to the relevant Planck scale is equal to one in both frames, thus demonstrating the physical equivalence of the two frames. Our analysis implies that Higgs inflation is unitary up to the Planck scale, and hence there is no naturalness problem in Higgs inflation. In this paper we only consider the graviton and scalar interactions.

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T. Prokopec and J. Weenink
Fri, 14 Mar 14
1/46

SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3: a link between radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies and compact steep-spectrum radio sources? [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3229

We present SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3, a new case of radio-loud narrow line Seyfert 1 (RL NLS1) with a relatively high radio power (P1.4GHz=2.1×10^25 W Hz^-1) and large radioloudness parameter (R1.4=600+/-100). The radio source is compact with a linear size below ~1.4 kpc but, contrary to most of the RL NLS1 discovered so far with such a high R1.4, its radio spectrum is very steep (alpha=0.93) and not supporting a ‘blazar-like’ nature. Both the small mass of the central super-massive black-hole and the high accretion rate relative to the Eddington limit estimated for this object (3.2×10^7 Msun and 0.27, respectively, with a formal error of ~0.4 dex on both quantities) are typical of the class of NLS1. Through a modeling of the spectral energy distribution of the source we have found that the galaxy hosting SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 is undergoing a quite intense star-formation (SFR=50 Msun y^-1) which, however, is expected to contribute only marginally (~1 per cent) to the observed radio emission. The radio properties of SDSSJ143244.91+301435.3 are remarkably similar to those of compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio sources, a class of AGN mostly composed by young radio galaxies. This may suggest a direct link between these two classes of AGN, with the CSS sources possibly representing the misaligned version (the so-called parent population) of RL NLS1 showing blazar characteristics.

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A. Caccianiga, S. Anton, L. Ballo, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
3/46

The Minimal Volkov – Akulov – Starobinsky Supergravity [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3269

We construct a supergravity model whose scalar degrees of freedom arise from a chiral superfield and are solely a scalaron and an axion that is very heavy during the inflationary phase. The model includes a second chiral superfield $X$, which is subject however to the constraint $X^2=0$ so that it describes only a Volkov – Akulov goldstino and an auxiliary field. We also construct the dual higher – derivative model, which rests on a chiral scalar curvature superfield ${\cal R}$ subject to the constraint ${\cal R}^2=0$, where the goldstino dual arises from the gauge – invariant gravitino field strength as $\gamma^{mn} {\cal D}_m \psi_n$. The final bosonic action is an $R+R^2$ theory involving an axial vector $A_m$ that only propagates a physical pseudoscalar mode.

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I. Antoniadis, E. Dudas, S. Ferrara, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
5/46

Ionized gas disks in Elliptical and S0 galaxies at $z<1$ [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3104

We analyse the extended, ionized-gas emission of 24 early-type galaxies (ETGs) at $0<z<1$ from the ESO Distant Cluster Survey (EDisCS). We discuss different possible sources of ionization and favour star-formation as the main cause of the observed emission. Ten galaxies have disturbed gas kinematics, while 14 have rotating gas disks. In addition, 15 galaxies are in the field, while 9 are in the infall regions of clusters. This implies that, if the gas has an internal origin, this is likely stripped as the galaxies get closer to the cluster centre. If the gas instead comes from an external source, then our results suggest that this is more likely acquired outside the cluster environment, where galaxy-galaxy interactions more commonly take place. We analyse the Tully-Fisher relation of the ETGs with gas disks, and compare them to EDisCS spirals. Taking a matched range of redshifts, $M_{B}<-20$, and excluding galaxies with large velocity uncertainties, we find that, at fixed rotational velocity, ETGs are 1.7 mag fainter in $M_{B}$ than spirals. At fixed stellar mass, we also find that ETGs have systematically lower specific star-formation rates than spirals. This study constitutes an important step forward towards the understanding of the evolution of the complex ISM in ETGs by significantly extending the look-back-time baseline explored so far.

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Y. Jaffe, A. Aragon-Salamanca, B. Ziegler, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
6/46

Inequivalence of Coset Constructions for Spacetime Symmetries [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3095

Non-linear realizations of spacetime symmetries can be obtained by a generalization of the coset construction valid for internal ones. The physical equivalence of different representations for spacetime symmetries is not obvious, since their relation involves not only a redefinition of the fields but also a field-dependent change of coordinates. A simple and relevant spacetime symmetry is obtained by the contraction of the 4D conformal group that leads to the Galileon group. We analyze two non-linear realizations of this group, focusing in particular on the propagation of signals around non-trivial backgrounds. The aperture of the lightcone is in general different in the two representations and in particular a free (luminal) massless scalar is mapped in a Galileon theory which admits superluminal propagation. We show that in this theory, if we consider backgrounds that vanish at infinity, there is no asymptotic effect: the displacement of the trajectory integrates to zero, as can be expected since the S-matrix is trivial. Regarding local measurements, we show that the puzzle is solved taking into account that a local coupling with fixed sources in one theory is mapped into a non-local coupling and we show that this effect compensates the different lightcone. Therefore the two theories have a different notion of locality. The same applies to the different non-linear realizations of the conformal group and we study the particular case of a cosmologically interesting background: the Galilean Genesis scenarios.

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P. Creminelli, M. Serone, G. Trevisan, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
11/46

A Technique to Search for High Mass Dark Matter Axions [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3121

Axions are a well motivated dark matter candidate. Microwave cavity experiments have been shown to be sensitive to axions in the mass range 1 $\mu$eV to 40 $\mu$eV, but face challenges searching for axions with larger masses. We propose a technique using a microwave Fabry-P\'{e}rot resonator and a series of current-carrying wire planes that can be used to search for dark matter axions with masses above 40 $\mu$eV. This technique retains the advantages of the microwave cavity search technique but allows for large volumes and high $Q$s at higher frequencies.

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G. Rybka and A. Wagner
Fri, 14 Mar 14
12/46

Multiwavelength investigations of co-evolution of bright custer galaxies [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3168

We report a systematic multi-wavelength investigation of environments of the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs), using the X-ray data from the Chandra archive, and optical images taken with 34’x 27′ field-of-view Subaru Suprime-Cam. Our goal is to help understand the relationship between the BCGs and their host clusters, and between the BCGs and other galaxies, to eventually address a question of the formation and co-evolution of BCGs and the clusters.
Our results include: 1) Morphological variety of BCGs, or the second or the third brightest galaxy (BCG2, BCG3), is comparable to that of other bright red sequence galaxies, suggesting that we have a continuous variation of morphology between BCGs, BCG2, and BCG3, rather than a sharp separation between the BCG and the rest of the bright galaxies. 2) The offset of the BCG position relative to the cluster centre is correlated to the degree of concentration of cluster X-ray morphology (Spearman rho = -0.79), consistent with an interpretation that BCGs tend to be off-centered inside dynamically unsettled clusters. 3) Morphologically disturbed clusters tend to harbour the brighter BCGs, implying that the “early collapse” may not be the only major mechanism to control the BCG formation and evolution.

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Y. Hashimoto, J. Henry and H. Boehringer
Fri, 14 Mar 14
18/46

Far-infrared surveys of galaxy evolution [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3334

Roughly half of the radiation from evolving galaxies in the early universe reaches us in the far-infrared and submillimeter wavelength range. Recent major advances in observing capabilities, in particular the launch of the Herschel Space Observatory in 2009, have dramatically enhanced our ability to use this information in the context of multiwavelength studies of galaxy evolution. Near its peak, three quarters of the cosmic infrared background is now resolved into individually detected sources. The use of far-infrared diagnostics of dust-obscured star formation and of interstellar medium conditions has expanded from rare extreme high-redshift galaxies to more typical main sequence galaxies and hosts of active galactic nuclei, out to z>~2. These studies shed light on the evolving role of steady equilibrium processes and of brief starbursts, at and since the peak of cosmic star formation and black hole accretion. This review presents a selection of recent far-infrared studies of galaxy evolution, with an emphasis on Herschel results

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D. Lutz
Fri, 14 Mar 14
20/46

Gravitational collapse of Bose-Einstein condensate dark matter halos [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3358

We study the mechanisms of the gravitational collapse of the Bose-Einstein condensate dark matter halos, described by the zero temperature time-dependent nonlinear Schr\”odinger equation (the Gross-Pitaevskii equation), with repulsive inter-particle interactions. By using a variational approach, and by choosing an appropriate trial wave function, we reformulate the Gross-Pitaevskii equation with spherical symmetry as Newton’s equation of motion for a particle in an effective potential, which is determined by the zero point kinetic energy, the gravitational energy, and the particles interaction energy, respectively. The velocity of the condensate is proportional to the radial distance, with a time dependent proportionality function. The equation of motion of the collapsing dark matter condensate is studied by using both analytical and numerical methods. The collapse of the condensate ends with the formation of a stable configuration, corresponding to the minimum of the effective potential. The radius and the mass of the resulting dark matter object are obtained, as well as the collapse time of the condensate. The numerical values of these global astrophysical quantities, characterizing condensed dark matter systems, strongly depend on the two parameters describing the condensate, the mass of the dark matter particle, and of the scattering length, respectively. The stability of the condensate under small perturbations is also studied, and the oscillations frequency of the halo is obtained. Hence these results show that the gravitational collapse of the condensed dark matter halos can lead to the formation of stable astrophysical systems with both galactic and stellar sizes.

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T. Harko
Fri, 14 Mar 14
22/46

Bouncing cosmology in modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3242

We explore bounce cosmology in $F(\mathcal{G})$ gravity with the Gauss-Bonnet invariant $\mathcal{G}$. We reconstruct $F(\mathcal{G})$ gravity theory to realize the bouncing behavior in the early universe and examine the stability conditions for its cosmological solutions. It is demonstrated that the bouncing behavior with an exponential as well as a power-law scale factor naturally occurs in modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We also derive the $F(\mathcal{G})$ gravity model to produce the ekpyrotic scenario. Furthermore, we construct the bounce with the scale factor composed of a sum of two exponential functions and show that not only the early-time bounce but also the late-time cosmic acceleration can occur in the corresponding modified Gauss-Bonnet gravity. Also, the bounce and late-time solutions in this unified model is explicitly analyzed.

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K. Bamba, A. Makarenko, A. Myagky, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
27/46

Pixel area variations in sensors: a novel framework for predicting pixel fidelity and distortion in flat field response [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3317

We describe the drift field in thick depleted silicon sensors as a superposition of a one-dimensional backdrop field and various three-dimensional perturbative contributions that are physically motivated. We compute trajectories for the conversions along the field lines toward the channel and into volumes where conversions are confined by the perturbative fields. We validate this approach by comparing predictions against measured response distributions seen in five types of fixed pattern distortion features. We derive a quantitative connection between “tree ring” flat field distortions to astrometric and shape transfer errors with connections to measurable wavelength dependence – as ancillary pixel data that may be used in pipeline analysis for catalog population. Such corrections may be tested on DECam data, where correlations between tree ring flat field distortions and astrometric errors – together with their band dependence – are already under study. Dynamic effects, including the brighter-fatter phenomenon for point sources and the flux dependence of flat field fixed pattern features are approached using perturbations similar in form to those giving rise to the fixed pattern features. These in turn provide drift coefficient predictions that can be validated in a straightforward manner. Once the three parameters of the model are constrained using available data, the model is readily used to provide predictions for arbitrary photo-distributions with internally consistent wavelength dependence provided for free.

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A. Rasmussen
Fri, 14 Mar 14
28/46

Optical and X-ray Rest-frame Light Curves of the BAT6 sample [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3245

We present the rest-frame light curves in the optical and X-ray bands of an unbiased and complete sample of Swift long Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs), namely the BAT6 sample. The unbiased BAT6 sample (consisting of 58 events) has the highest level of completeness in redshift ($\sim$ 95%), allowing us to compute the rest-frame X-ray and optical light curves for 55 and 47 objects, respectively. We compute the X-ray and optical luminosities accounting for any possible source of absorption (Galactic and intrinsic) that could affect the observed fluxes in these two bands. We compare the behaviour observed in the X-ray and in the optical bands to assess the relative contribution of the emission during the prompt and afterglow phases. We unarguably demonstrate that the GRBs rest-frame optical luminosity distribution is not bimodal, being rather clustered around the mean value Log(L$_{R}$) = 29.9 $\pm$ 0.8 when estimated at a rest frame time of 12 hr. This is in contrast with what found in previous works and confirms that the GRB population has an intrinsic unimodal luminosity distribution. For more than 70% of the events the rest-frame light curves in the X-ray and optical bands have a different evolution, indicating distinct emitting regions and/or mechanisms. The X-ray light curves normalised to the GRB isotropic energy (E$_{\rm iso}$), provide evidence for X-ray emission still powered by the prompt emission until late times ($\sim$ hours after the burst event). On the other hand, the same test performed for the E$_{\rm iso}$-normalised optical light curves shows that the optical emission is a better proxy of the afterglow emission from early to late times.

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A. Melandri, S. Covino, D. Rogantini, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
30/46

A compact, metal-rich, kpc-scale outflow in FBQS J0209-0438: Detailed diagnostics from HST/COS extreme UV observations [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3338

We present HST/COS observations of highly ionized absorption lines associated with a radio-loud QSO at $z=1.1319$. The absorption system has multiple velocity components, tracing gas that is largely outflowing from the QSO at velocities of a few 100 km s$^{-1}$. There is an unprecedented range in ionization, with detections of HI, NIII, NIV, NV, OIV, OIV*, OV, OVI, NeVIII, MgX, SV and ArVIII. We estimate the total hydrogen number density from the column density ratio N(OIV*)/N(OIV) to be $\log(n_{\textrm{H}}/\textrm{cm}^3)\sim 3$. Assuming photoionization equilibrium, we derive a distance to the absorbing complex of $2.3<R<6.0$ kpc from the centre of the QSO. A range in ionization parameter, covering $\sim 2$ orders of magnitude, suggest absorption path lengths in the range $10^{-4.5}<l_{\textrm{abs}}<1$ pc. In addition, the absorbing gas only partially covers the background emission from the QSO continuum, which suggests clouds with transverse sizes $l_{\textrm{trans}}<10^{-2.5}$ pc. Widely differing absorption path lengths, combined with covering fractions less than unity across all ions pose a challenge to models involving simple cloud geometries. These issues may be mitigated by the presence of non-equilibrium effects, together with the possibility of multiple gas temperatures. The dynamics and expected lifetimes of the gas clouds suggest that they do not originate from close to the AGN, but are instead formed close to their observed location. Their inferred distance, outflow velocities and gas densities are broadly consistent with scenarios involving gas entrainment or condensations in winds driven by either supernovae, or the supermassive black hole accretion disc. In the case of the latter, the present data most likely does not trace the bulk of the outflow by mass, which could instead manifest itself as an accompanying warm absorber, detectable in X-rays.

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C. Finn, S. Morris, N. Crighton, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
31/46

Outflow and hot dust emission in broad absorption line quasars [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3166

We have investigated a sample of 2099 broad absorption line (BAL) quasars with z=1.7-2.2 built from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release Seven and the Wide-field Infrared Survey. This sample is collected from two BAL quasar samples in the literature, and refined by our new algorithm. Correlations of outflow velocity and strength with hot dust indicator (beta_NIR) and other quasar physical parameters, such as Eddington ratio, luminosity and UV continuum slope, are explored in order to figure out which parameters drive outflows. Here beta_NIR is the near-infrared continuum slope, a good indicator of the amount of hot dust emission relative to accretion disk emission. We confirm previous findings that outflow properties moderately or weakly depends on Eddington ratio, UV slope and luminosity. For the first time, we report moderate and significant correlations of outflow strength and velocity with beta_NIR in BAL quasars. It is consistent with the behavior of blueshifted broad emission lines in non-BAL quasars. The statistical analysis and composite spectra study both reveal that outflow strength and velocity are more strongly correlated with beta_NIR than Eddington ratio, luminosity and UV slope. In particular, the composites show that the entire C IV absorption profile shifts blueward and broadens as beta_NIR increases, while Eddington ratio and UV slope only affect the high and low velocity part of outflows, respectively. We discuss several potential processes and suggest that dusty outflow scenario, i.e. dust is intrinsic to outflows and may contribute to the outflow acceleration, is most likely. The BAL quasar catalog is available from the authors upon request.

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S. Zhang, H. Wang, T. Wang, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
33/46

Kiloparsec-scale outflows are prevalent among luminous AGN: outflows and feedback in the context of the overall AGN population [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3086

We present integral field unit (IFU) observations covering the [O III]4959,5007 and H-Beta emission lines of sixteen z<0.2 type 2 active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our targets are selected from a well-constrained parent sample of 24,000 AGN so that we can place our observations into the context of the overall AGN population. Our targets are radio-quiet with star formation rates (<~[10-100] Msol/yr) that are consistent with normal star-forming galaxies. We decouple the kinematics of galaxy dynamics and mergers from outflows. We find high-velocity ionised gas (velocity widths of 600-1500 km/s and maximum velocities of <=1700 km/s) with observed spatial extents of >~(6-16) kpc in all targets and observe signatures of spherical outflows and bi-polar superbubbles. We show that our targets are representative of z<0.2, luminous (i.e., L([O III]) > 5×10^41 erg/s) type 2 AGN and that ionised outflows are not only common but also in >=70% (3 sigma confidence) of cases, they are extended over kiloparsec scales. Our study demonstrates that galaxy-wide energetic outflows are not confined to the most extreme star-forming galaxies or radio-luminous AGN; however, there may be a higher incidence of the most extreme outflow velocities in quasars hosted in ultra-luminous infrared galaxies. Both star formation and AGN activity appear to be energetically viable to drive the outflows and we find no definitive evidence that favours one process over the other. Although highly uncertain, we derive mass outflow rates (typically ~10x the SFRs), kinetic energies (~0.5-10% of L[AGN]) and momentum rates (typically >~10-20x L[AGN]/c) consistent with theoretical models that predict AGN-driven outflows play a significant role in shaping the evolution of galaxies.

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C. Harrison, D. Alexander, J. Mullaney, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
36/46

Clustering of Local Group distances: publication bias or correlated measurements? I. The Large Magellanic Cloud [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3141

The distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) represents a key local rung of the extragalactic distance ladder. Yet, the galaxy’s distance modulus has long been an issue of contention, in particular in view of claims that most newly determined distance moduli cluster tightly – and with a small spread – around the “canonical” distance modulus, (m-M)_0 = 18.50 mag. We compiled 233 separate LMC distance determinations published between 1990 and 2013. Our analysis of the individual distance moduli, as well as of their two-year means and standard deviations resulting from this largest data set of LMC distance moduli available to date, focuses specifically on Cepheid and RR Lyrae variable-star tracer populations, as well as on distance estimates based on features in the observational Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. We conclude that strong publication bias is unlikely to have been the main driver of the majority of published LMC distance moduli. However, for a given distance tracer, the body of publications leading to the tightly clustered distances is based on highly non-independent tracer samples and analysis methods, hence leading to significant correlations among the LMC distances reported in subsequent articles. Based on a careful, weighted combination, in a statistical sense, of the main stellar population tracers, we recommend that a slightly adjusted canonical distance modulus of (m-M)_0 = 18.49 +- 0.09 mag be used for all practical purposes that require a general distance scale without the need for accuracies of better than a few percent.

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R. Grijs, J. Wicker and G. Bono
Fri, 14 Mar 14
39/46

Non-Analytic Inflation [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3289

We analyze quantum corrections on the naive $\phi^4$-Inflation. These typically lead to an inflaton potential which is non-analytic in the field. We consider both minimal and non-minimal couplings to gravity. For the latter case we also study unitarity of inflaton-inflaton scattering. Finally we confront these theories with the Planck data and show that quantum departures from the $\phi^4$-Inflaton model are severely constrained.

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J. Joergensen, F. Sannino and O. Svendsen
Fri, 14 Mar 14
41/46

The Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey: Initial Spectroscopic Confirmation of z ~ 1 Galaxy Clusters Selected from 10,000 Square Degrees [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3361

We present optical and infrared imaging and optical spectroscopy of galaxy clusters which were identified as part of an all-sky search for high-redshift galaxy clusters, the Massive and Distant Clusters of WISE Survey (MaDCoWS). The initial phase of MaDCoWS combined infrared data from the all-sky data release of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) with optical data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to select probable z ~ 1 clusters of galaxies over an area of 10,000 deg^2. Our spectroscopy confirms 19 new clusters at 0.7 < z < 1.3, half of which are at z > 1, demonstrating the viability of using WISE to identify high-redshift galaxy clusters. The next phase of MaDCoWS will use the greater depth of the AllWISE data release to identify even higher redshift cluster candidates.

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S. Stanford, A. Gonzalez, M. Brodwin, et. al.
Fri, 14 Mar 14
42/46

Cusps and pseudo-cusps in strings with Y-junctions [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3225

We study the occurrence of cuspy events on a light string stretched between two Y-junctions with fixed heavy strings. We first present an analytic study and give a solid criterion to discriminate between cuspy and non-cuspy string configurations. We then describe a numerical code, built to test this analysis. Our numerical investigation allows us to look at the correlations between string network’s parameters and the occurrence of cuspy phenomena. We show that the presence of large amplitude waves on the light string leads to cuspy events. We then relate the occurrence of cuspy events to features like the number of vibration modes on the string or the string’s root-mean-square velocity.

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T. Elghozi, W. Nelson and M. Sakellariadou
Fri, 14 Mar 14
45/46

The dust budget crisis in high-redshift submillimetre galaxies [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2995

We apply a chemical evolution model to investigate the sources and evolution of dust in a sample of 26 high-redshift ($z>1$) submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) from the literature, with complete photometry from ultraviolet to the submillimetre. We show that dust produced only by low-intermediate mass stars falls a factor 240 short of the observed dust masses of SMGs, the well-known `dust-budget crisis’. Adding an extra source of dust from supernovae can account for the dust mass in 19 per cent of the SMG sample. Even after accounting for dust produced by supernovae the remaining deficit in the dust mass budget provides support for higher supernova yields, substantial grain growth in the interstellar medium or a top-heavy IMF. Including efficient destruction of dust by supernova shocks increases the tension between our model and observed SMG dust masses. The models which best reproduce the physical properties of SMGs have a rapid build-up of dust from both stellar and interstellar sources and minimal dust destruction. Alternatively, invoking a top-heavy IMF or significant changes in the dust grain properties can solve the dust budget crisis only if dust is produced by both low mass stars and supernovae and is not efficiently destroyed by supernova shocks.

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K. Rowlands, H. Gomez, L. Dunne, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
2/58

A Dark Matter Progenitor: Light Vector Boson Decay into (Sterile) Neutrinos [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2727

We show that the existence of new, light gauge interactions coupled to Standard Model (SM) neutrinos give rise to an abundance of sterile neutrinos through the sterile neutrinos’ mixing with the SM. Specifically, in the mass range of MeV-GeV and coupling of $g’ \sim 10^{-6} – 10^{-2}$, the decay of this new vector boson in the early universe produces a sufficient quantity of sterile neutrinos to account for the observed dark matter abundance. Interestingly, this can be achieved within a natural extension of the SM gauge group, such as a gauged $L_\mu-L_\tau$ number, without any tree-level coupling between the new vector boson and the sterile neutrino states. Such new leptonic interactions might also be at the origin of the well-known discrepancy associated with the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.

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B. Shuve and I. Yavin
Thu, 13 Mar 14
3/58

Mapping the particle acceleration in the cool core of the galaxy cluster RX J1720.1+2638 [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2820

We present new deep, high-resolution radio images of the diffuse minihalo in the cool core of the galaxy cluster RX ,J1720.1+2638. The images have been obtained with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 317, 617 and 1280 MHz and with the Very Large Array at 1.5, 4.9 and 8.4 GHz, with angular resolutions ranging from 1″ to 10″. This represents the best radio spectral and imaging dataset for any minihalo. Most of the radio flux of the minihalo arises from a bright central component with a maximum radius of ~80 kpc. A fainter tail of emission extends out from the central component to form a spiral-shaped structure with a length of ~230 kpc, seen at frequencies 1.5 GHz and below. We observe steepening of the total radio spectrum of the minihalo at high frequencies. Furthermore, a spectral index image shows that the spectrum of the diffuse emission steepens with the increasing distance along the tail. A striking spatial correlation is observed between the minihalo emission and two cold fronts visible in the Chandra X-ray image of this cool core. These cold fronts confine the minihalo, as also seen in numerical simulations of minihalo formation by sloshing-induced turbulence. All these observations provide support to the hypothesis that the radio emitting electrons in cluster cool cores are produced by turbulent reacceleration.

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S. Giacintucci, M. Markevitch, G. Brunetti, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
4/58

Einstein gravity of a diffusing fluid [CL]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1307.8150

We discuss Einstein gravity for a fluid consisting of particles interacting with an unidentified environment of some other particles whose dissipative effect is approximated by a diffusion. The environment is described by a time dependent cosmological term which is compensating the lack of the conservation law of the energy momentum of the diffusing fluid. We are interested in a homogeneous flat expanding Universe described by a scale factor $a$. For a fluid of massless particles at finite temperature we obtain explicit solutions of the diffusion equation which are in the form of a modified Juttner distribution with a time dependent temperature. At later time Universe evolution is described as a diffusion at zero temperature with no equilibration. We find solutions of the diffusion at zero temperature which can be treated as a continuation to a later time of the finite temperature solutions describing an early stage of the Universe. A conservation of the total energy momentum determines the cosmological term up to a constant. The resulting energy momentum inserted into Einstein equations gives a modified Friedmann equation. Solutions of the Friedmann equation depend on the initial value of the cosmological term. The large value of the cosmological constant implies an exponential expansion. If the initial conditions allow a power-like solution for a large time then it must be of the form $a\simeq \tau$ (no deceleration, $\tau$ is the cosmic time). The final stage of the Universe evolution is described by a non-relativistic diffusion of a cold dust.

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Z. Haba
Thu, 13 Mar 14
12/58

Measuring the power spectrum of dark matter substructure using strong gravitational lensing [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2720

In recent years, it has become possible to detect individual dark matter subhalos near strong gravitational lenses. Typically, only the most massive subhalos in the strong lensing region may be detected this way. In this work, we show that strong lenses may also be used to constrain the much more numerous population of lower mass subhalos that are too small to be detected individually. In particular, we show that the power spectrum of projected density fluctuations in galaxy halos can be measured using strong gravitational lensing. We develop the mathematical framework of power spectrum estimation, and test our method on mock observations. We use our results to determine the types of observations required to measure the substructure power spectrum with high significance. We predict that deep observations with current facilities (in particular ALMA) can measure this power spectrum, placing strong constraints on the abundance of dark matter subhalos and the underlying particle nature of dark matter.

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Y. Hezaveh, N. Dalal, G. Holder, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
20/58

The Evolution of Galaxy Structure over Cosmic Time [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2783

I present a comprehensive review of the evolution of galaxy structure in the universe from the first galaxies we can currently observe at z~6 down to galaxies we see in the local universe. I further address how these changes reveal galaxy formation processes that galaxy structural analyses can provide. This review is pedagogical and begins with a detailed discussion of the major methods in which galaxies are studied morphologically and structurally. This includes the well-established visual method; Sersic fitting to measure galaxy sizes and surface brightness profile shapes; non-parametric structural methods including the concentration (C), asymmetry (A), clumpiness (S) (CAS) method, as well as newer structural indices. Included is a discussion of how these structural indices measure fundamental properties of galaxies such as their scale, star formation rate, and ongoing merger activity. Extensive observational results are shown demonstrating how broad galaxy morphologies and structures change with time up to z~3, from small, compact and peculiar systems in the distant universe to the formation of the Hubble sequence we find today. This review further addresses how structural methods measure accurately the merger history out to z~3. The properties and evolution of bulges, disks, bars, and at z>1 large star forming clumps are also described, along with how morphological galaxy quenching occurs. Furthermore, the role of environment in producing structure in galaxies over cosmic time is treated. Alongside the evolution of general structure, I also delineate how galaxy sizes change with time, with measured sizes up to a factor of 2-5 smaller at high redshift at a given stellar mass. This review concludes with a discussion of how galaxy structure reveals the formation mechanisms behind galaxies, providing a new and unique way to test theories of galaxy formation.

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C. Conselice
Thu, 13 Mar 14
25/58

Graceful exit from inflation to radiation era with rapidly decreasing agegraphic potentials [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2868

We present a class of models where both the primordial inflation and the late times de Sitter phase are driven by simple phenomenological agegraphic potentials. In this context, a possible new scenario for a smooth exit from inflation to the radiation era is discussed by resorting the kination (stiff) era but without the inefficient radiation production mechanism of these models. This is done by considering rapidly decreasing expressions for $V(t)$ soon after inflation. We show that the parameters of our models can reproduce the scalar spectral parameter $n_s$ predicted by Planck data in particular for models with concave potentials.

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S. Viaggiu
Thu, 13 Mar 14
27/58

Mergers drive spin swings along the cosmic web [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2728

The close relationship between mergers and the reorientation of the spin for galaxies and their host dark haloes is investigated using a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation (Horizon-AGN). Through a statistical analysis of merger trees, we show that spin swings are mainly driven by mergers along the filamentary structure of the cosmic web, and that these events account for the preferred perpendicular orientation of massive galaxies with respect to their nearest filament. By contrast, low-mass galaxies (M_s<10^10 M_sun at redshift 1.5) undergoing very few mergers, if at all, tend to possess a spin well aligned with their filament. Haloes follow the same trend as galaxies but display a greater sensitivity to smooth anisotropic accretion. The relative effect of mergers on spin magnitude is qualitatively different for minor and major mergers: mergers (and diffuse accretion) generally increase the magnitude of the angular momentum, but the most massive major mergers also give rise to a population of objects with less spin left. Without mergers secular accretion builds up the spin of galaxies but not that of haloes. It also (re)aligns galaxies with their filament.

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C. Welker, J. Devriendt, Y. Dubois, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
31/58

Herschel-ATLAS: Properties of dusty massive galaxies at low and high redshifts [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2994

We present a comparison of the physical properties of a rest-frame $250\mu$m selected sample of massive, dusty galaxies from $0<z<5.3$. Our sample comprises 29 high-redshift submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) from the literature, and 843 dusty galaxies at $z<0.5$ from the Herschel-ATLAS, selected to have a similar stellar mass to the SMGs. The $z>1$ SMGs have an average SFR of $390^{+80}_{-70}\,$M$_\odot$yr$^{-1}$ which is 120 times that of the low-redshift sample matched in stellar mass to the SMGs (SFR$=3.3\pm{0.2}$ M$_\odot$yr$^{-1}$). The SMGs harbour a substantial mass of dust ($1.2^{+0.3}_{-0.2}\times{10}^9\,$M$_\odot$), compared to $(1.6\pm0.1)\times{10}^8\,$M$_\odot$ for low-redshift dusty galaxies. At low redshifts the dust luminosity is dominated by the diffuse ISM, whereas a large fraction of the dust luminosity in SMGs originates from star-forming regions. At the same dust mass SMGs are offset towards a higher SFR compared to the low-redshift H-ATLAS galaxies. This is not only due to the higher gas fraction in SMGs but also because they are undergoing a more efficient mode of star formation, which is consistent with their bursty star-formation histories. The offset in SFR between SMGs and low-redshift galaxies is similar to that found in CO studies, suggesting that dust mass is as good a tracer of molecular gas as CO.

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K. Rowlands, L. Dunne, S. Dye, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
33/58

AzTEC/ASTE 1.1 mm survey of SSA22: Counterpart identification and photometric redshift survey of submillimeter galaxies [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2725

We present the results from a 1.1 mm imaging survey of the SSA22 field, known for having an overdensity of z=3.1 Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies (LAEs), taken with the AzTEC camera on the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE). We imaged a 950 arcmin$^2$ field down to a 1 sigma sensitivity of 0.7-1.3 mJy/beam to find 125 submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) with a signal to noise ratio >= 3.5. Counterpart identification using radio and near/mid-infrared data was performed and one or more counterpart candidates were found for 59 SMGs. Photometric redshifts based on optical to near-infrared images were evaluated for 45 SMGs of these SMGs with Spitzer/IRAC data, and the median value is found to be z=2.4. By combining these estimation with estimates from the literature we determined that 10 SMGs might lie within the large-scale structure at z=3.1. The two-point angular cross-correlation function between LAEs and SMGs indicates that the positions of the SMGs are correlated with the z=3.1 protocluster. These results suggest that the SMGs were formed and evolved selectively in the high dense environment of the high redshift universe. This picture is consistent with the predictions of the standard model of hierarchical structure formation.

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H. Umehata, Y. Tamura, K. Kohno, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
36/58

Major Cluster Mergers and the Location of the Brightest Cluster Galaxy [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3063

Using a large N-body cosmological simulation combined with a subgrid treatment of galaxy formation, we study the formation and evolution of the galaxy and cluster population in a comoving volume (100 Mpc)^3 in a LCDM universe. At z = 0, our computational volume contains 1788 clusters with mass M_cl > 1.1×10^12 Msun, including 18 massive clusters with M_cl > 10^14 Msun. It also contains 1 088 797 galaxies with mass M_gal > 2×10^9 Msun and luminosity L > 9.5×10^5 Lsun. For each cluster, we identified the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG). We then computed the fraction f_BNC of clusters in which the BCG is not the closest galaxy to the center of the cluster in projection, and the ratio Dv/s, where Dv is the difference in radial velocity between the BCG and the whole cluster, and s is the radial velocity dispersion of the cluster. f_BNC increases from 0.05 for low-mass clusters (M_cl ~ 10^12 Msun) to 0.5 for high-mass ones (M_cl > 10^14 Msun), with no dependence on cluster redshift. The values of Dv/s vary from 0 to 1.8. These results are consistent with previous observational studies, and indicate that the central galaxy paradigm, which states that the BCG should be at rest at the center of the cluster, is usually valid, but exceptions are too common to be ignored. Analysis of the merger trees for the 18 most massive clusters in the simulation reveals that 16 of these clusters have experienced major mergers in the past. These mergers leave each cluster in a non-equilibrium state, but eventually the cluster settles into an equilibrium configuration, unless it is disturbed by another major merger. We found evidence that these mergers are responsible for the off-center positions and peculiar velocities of some BCGs. Our results thus support the merging-group scenario, in which some clusters form by the merger of smaller groups in which the galaxies have already formed.

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H. Martel, F. Robichaud and P. Barai
Thu, 13 Mar 14
37/58

Atmospheric effects in astroparticle physics experiments and the challenge of ever greater precision in measurements [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2977

Astroparticle physics and cosmology allow us to scan the universe through multiple messengers. It is the combination of these probes that improves our understanding of the universe, both in its composition and its dynamics. Unlike other areas in science, research in astroparticle physics has a real originality in detection techniques, in infrastructure locations, and in the observed physical phenomenon that is not created directly by humans. It is these features that make the minimisation of statistical and systematic errors a perpetual challenge. In all these projects, the environment is turned into a detector medium or a target. The atmosphere is probably the environment component the most common in astroparticle physics and requires a continuous monitoring of its properties to minimise as much as possible the systematic uncertainties associated. This paper introduces the different atmospheric effects to take into account in astroparticle physics measurements and provides a non-exhaustive list of techniques and instruments to monitor the different elements composing the atmosphere. A discussion on the close link between astroparticle physics and Earth sciences ends this paper.

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K. Louedec
Thu, 13 Mar 14
47/58

The extended ROSAT-ESO Flux Limited X-ray Galaxy Cluster Survey (REFLEX II) IV. X-ray Luminosity Function and First Constraints on Cosmological Parameters [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2927

The X-ray luminosity function is an important statistic of the census of galaxy clusters and an important means to probe the cosmological model of our Universe. Based on our recently completed REFLEX II cluster sample we construct the X-ray luminosity function of galaxy clusters for several redshift slices from $z = 0$ to $z = 0.4$ and discuss its implications. We find no significant signature of redshift evolution of the luminosity function in the redshift interval. We provide the results of fits of a parameterized Schechter function and extensions of it which provide a reasonable characterization of the data. Using a model for structure formation and galaxy cluster evolution we compare the observed X-ray luminosity function with predictions for different cosmological models. For the most interesting constraints for the cosmological parameters $\Omega_m$ and $\sigma_8$ we obatain $\Omega_m \sim 0.27 \pm 0.03$ and $\sigma_8 \sim 0.80 \pm 0.03$ based on the statistical uncertainty alone. Marginalizing over the most important uncertainties, the normalisation and slope of the $L_X – M$ scaling relation, we find $\Omega_m \sim 0.29 \pm 0.04$ and $\sigma_8 \sim 0.77 \pm 0.07$ ($1\sigma$ confidence limits). We compare our results with those of the SZ-cluster survey provided by the PLANCK mission and we find very good agreement with the results using PLANCK clusters as cosmological probes, but we have some tension with PLANCK cosmological results from the microwave background anisotropies. We also make a comparison with other cluster surveys. We find good agreement with these previous results and show that the REFLEX II survey provides a significant reduction in the uncertainties compared to earlier measurements.

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H. Bohringer, G. Chon and C. Collins
Thu, 13 Mar 14
48/58

NuSTAR and XMM-Newton Observations of Luminous, Heavily Obscured, WISE-Selected Quasars at z ~ 2 [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3078

We report on a NuSTAR and XMM-Newton program that has observed a sample of three extremely luminous, heavily obscured WISE-selected AGN at z~2 in a broad X-ray band (0.1 – 79 keV). The parent sample, selected to be faint or undetected in the WISE 3.4um (W1) and 4.6um (W2) bands but bright at 12um (W3) and 22um (W4), are extremely rare, with only ~1000 so-called W1W2-dropouts across the extragalactic sky. Optical spectroscopy reveals typical redshifts of z~2 for this population, implying rest-frame mid-IR luminosities of L(6um)~6e46 erg/s and bolometric luminosities that can exceed L(bol)~1e14 L(sun). The corresponding intrinsic, unobscured hard X-ray luminosities are L(2-10)~4e45 erg/s for typical quasar templates. These are amongst the most luminous AGN known, though the optical spectra rarely show evidence of a broad-line region and the selection criteria imply heavy obscuration even at rest-frame 1.5um. We designed our X-ray observations to obtain robust detections for gas column densities N(H)<1e24 /cm2. In fact, the sources prove to be fainter than these predictions. Two of the sources were observed by both NuSTAR and XMM-Newton, with neither being detected by NuSTAR and one being faintly detected by XMM-Newton. A third source was observed only with XMM-Newton, yielding a faint detection. The X-ray data require gas column densities N(H)>1e24 /cm2, implying the sources are extremely obscured, consistent with Compton-thick, luminous quasars. The discovery of a significant population of heavily obscured, extremely luminous AGN does not conform to the standard paradigm of a receding torus, in which more luminous quasars are less likely to be obscured. If a larger sample conforms with this finding, then this suggests an additional source of obscuration for these extreme sources.

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D. Stern, G. Lansbury, R. Assef, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
50/58

The impact of dark energy perturbations on the growth index [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2985

We show that in clustering dark energy models the growth index of linear matter perturbations, $\gamma$, can be much lower than in $\Lambda$CDM or smooth quintessence models and present a strong variation with redshift. We find that the impact of dark energy perturbations on $\gamma$ is enhanced if the dark energy equation of state has a large and rapid decay at low redshift. We study four different models with these features and show that we may have $0.33<\gamma\left(z\right)<0.48$ at $0<z<3$. We also show that the constant $\gamma$ parametrization for the growth rate, $f=d\ln\delta_{m}/d\ln a=\Omega_{m}^{\gamma}$, is a few percent inaccurate for such models and that a redshift dependent parametrization for $\gamma$ can provide about four times more accurate fits for $f$. We discuss the robustness of the growth index to distinguish between General Relativity with clustering dark energy and modified gravity models, finding that some $f\left(R\right)$ and clustering dark energy models can present similar values for $\gamma$.

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R. Batista
Thu, 13 Mar 14
52/58

Point source calibration of the AKARI/FIS all-sky survey maps for staking analysis [IMA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2772

Investigations of the point spread functions (PSFs) and flux calibrations for stacking analysis have been performed with the far-infrared (wavelengths range of 60 to 140 um all-sky maps taken by the Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) onboard the AKARI satellite. The PSFs are investigated by stacking the maps at the positions of standard stars with their fluxes of 0.02 -10 Jy. The derived full widths at the half maximum (FWHMs) of the PSFs are ~ 60 arcsec at 65 and 90 um and ~ 90 arcsec at 140 um, which are much smaller than that of the previous all-sky maps obtained with IRAS (~ 6 arcmin). Any flux dependence in the PSFs is not seen on the investigated flux range. By performing the flux calibrations, we found that absolute photometry for faint sources can be carried out with constant calibration factors, which range from 0.6 to 0.8. After applying the calibration factors, the photometric accuracies for the stacked sources in the 65, 90, and 140 um bands are 9, 3, and 21 %, respectively, even below the detection limits of the survey. Any systematic dependence between the observed flux and model flux is not found. These results indicate that the FIS map is a useful dataset for the stacking analyses of faint sources at far-infrared wavelengths.

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K. Arimatsu, Y. Doi, T. Wada, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
55/58

NuSTAR Observations of the Bullet Cluster: Constraints on Inverse Compton Emission [HEAP]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2722

The search for diffuse non-thermal inverse Compton (IC) emission from galaxy clusters at hard X-ray energies has been undertaken with many instruments, with most detections being either of low significance or controversial. Background and contamination uncertainties present in the data of non-focusing observatories result in lower sensitivity to IC emission and a greater chance of false detection. We present 266ks NuSTAR observations of the Bullet cluster, detected from 3-30 keV. NuSTAR’s unprecedented hard X-ray focusing capability largely eliminates confusion between diffuse IC and point sources; however, at the highest energies the background still dominates and must be well understood. To this end, we have developed a complete background model constructed of physically inspired components constrained by extragalactic survey field observations, the specific parameters of which are derived locally from data in non-source regions of target observations. Applying the background model to the Bullet cluster data, we find that the spectrum is well – but not perfectly – described as an isothermal plasma with kT=14.2+/-0.2 keV. To slightly improve the fit, a second temperature component is added, which appears to account for lower temperature emission from the cool core, pushing the primary component to kT~15.3 keV. We see no convincing need to invoke an IC component to describe the spectrum of the Bullet cluster, and instead argue that it is dominated at all energies by emission from purely thermal gas. The conservatively derived 90% upper limit on the IC flux of 1.1e-12 erg/s/cm^2 (50-100 keV), implying a lower limit on B>0.2{\mu}G, is barely consistent with detected fluxes previously reported. In addition to discussing the possible origin of this discrepancy, we remark on the potential implications of this analysis for the prospects for detecting IC in galaxy clusters in the future.

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D. Wik, A. Hornstrup, S. Molendi, et. al.
Thu, 13 Mar 14
56/58

Gravitational Lensing of the CMB: a Feynman Diagram Approach [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2386

We develop a Feynman diagram approach to calculating correlations of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) in the presence of distortions. As one application, we focus on CMB distortions due to gravitational lensing by Large Scale Structure (LSS). We study the Hu-Okamoto quadratic estimator for extracting lensing from the CMB and derive the noise of the estimator up to ${\mathcal O}(\phi^4)$ in the lensing potential $\phi$. The previously noted large ${\mathcal O}(\phi^4)$ term can be significantly reduced by a reorganization of the $\phi$ expansion. Our approach makes it simple to obtain expressions for quadratic estimators based on any CMB channel. We briefly discuss other applications to cosmology of this diagrammatic approach, such as distortions of the CMB due to patchy reionization, or due to Faraday rotation from primordial axion fields.

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E. Jenkins, A. Manohar, W. Waalewijn, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
2/46

Relating the anisotropic power spectrum to the CMB hemispherical anisotropy [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2567

We relate the observed hemispherical anisotropy in the cosmic microwave radiation data to an anisotropic power spectrum model. The hemispherical anisotropy can be parameterized in terms of the dipole modulation model. This model also leads to correlations between spherical harmonic coefficients corresponding to multipoles l and l+1. We extract the l dependence of the dipole modulation amplitude, A, by making a fit to the l dependence of the correlations betweenharmonic coefficients using PLANCK CMBR data. We propose an anisotropic power spectrum model which also leads to correlations between different multipoles. This power spectrum is determined by making a fit to data. We find that the spectral index of the anisotropic power spectrum is consistent with zero.

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P. Rath and P. Jain
Wed, 12 Mar 14
6/46

Star forming filaments in warm dark models [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2475

We performed a hydrodynamical cosmological simulation of the formation of a Milky Way-like galaxy in a warm dark matter (WDM) cosmology. Smooth and dense filaments, several co-moving mega parsec long, form generically above z 2 in this model. Atomic line cooling allows gas in the centres of these filaments to cool to the base of the cooling function, resulting in a very striking pattern of extended Lyman-limit systems (LLSs). Observations of the correlation function of LLSs might hence provide useful limits on the nature of the dark matter. We argue that the self-shielding of filaments may lead to a thermal instability resulting in star formation. We implement a sub-grid model for this, and find that filaments rather than haloes dominate star formation until z 6. Reionisation decreases the gas density in filaments, and the more usual star formation in haloes dominates below z 6, although star formation in filaments continues until z=2. Fifteen per cent of the stars of the z=0 galaxy formed in filaments. At higher redshift, these stars give galaxies a stringy appearance, which, if observed, might be a strong indication that the dark matter is warm.

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L. Gao, T. Theuns and V. Springel
Wed, 12 Mar 14
9/46

Deep radio observations of the radio halo of the bullet cluster 1E 0657-55.8 [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2393

We present deep 1.1-3.1 GHz Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the radio halo of the bullet cluster, 1E 0657-55.8. In comparison to existing images of this radio halo the detection in our images is at higher significance. The radio halo is as extended as the X-ray emission in the direction of cluster merger but is significantly less extended than the X-ray emission in the perpendicular direction. At low significance we detect a faint second peak in the radio halo close to the X-ray centroid of the smaller sub-cluster (the bullet) suggesting that, similarly to the X-ray emission, the radio halo may consist of two components. Finally, we find that the distinctive shape of the western edge of the radio halo traces out the X-ray detected bow shock. The radio halo morphology and the lack of strong point-to-point correlations between radio, X-ray and weak-lensing properties suggests that the radio halo is still being formed. The colocation of the X-ray shock with a distinctive radio brightness edge illustrates that the shock is influencing the structure of the radio halo. These observations support the theory that shocks and turbulence influence the formation and evolution of radio halo synchrotron emission.

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T. Shimwell, S. Brown, I. Feain, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
10/46

Satellite abundances around bright isolated galaxies II: radial distribution and environmental effects [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2409

We use the SDSS/DR8 galaxy sample to study the radial distribution of satellite galaxies around isolated primaries, comparing to semi-analytic models of galaxy formation based on the Millennium and Millennium-II simulations. SDSS satellites behave differently around high- and low-mass primaries: those orbiting objects with $M_*>10^{11}M_\odot$ are mostly red and are less concentrated towards their host than the inferred dark matter halo, an effect that is very pronounced for the few blue satellites. On the other hand, less massive primaries have steeper satellite profiles that agree quite well with the expected dark matter distribution and are dominated by blue satellites, even in the inner regions where strong environmental effects are expected. In fact, such effects appear to be strong only for primaries with $M_* > 10^{11}M_\odot$. This behaviour is not reproduced by current semi-analytic simulations, where satellite profiles always parallel those of the dark matter and satellite populations are predominantly red for primaries of all masses. The disagreement with SDSS suggests that environmental effects are too efficient in the models. Modifying the treatment of environmental and star formation processes can substantially increase the fraction of blue satellites, but their radial distribution remains significantly shallower than observed. It seems that most satellites of low-mass primaries can continue to form stars even after orbiting within their joint halo for 5 Gyr or more.

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W. Wang, L. Sales, B. Henriques, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
13/46

Evolution induced by dry minor mergers on to Fast Rotator S0 galaxies [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2430

We have analysed collisionless N-body simulations of intermediate and minor dry mergers on to S0s to test whether these mergers can generate S0 galaxies with intermediate kinematics between Fast and Slow Rotators. We find that minor mergers induce a lower decrease of the global rotational support than encounters of lower mass ratios, giving rise to S0s with intermediate properties between Fast and Slow Rotators. The resulting remnants are intrinsically more triaxial, less flattened, and span the whole range of apparent ellipticities up to $\epsilon_\mathrm{e} \sim 0.8$. They do not show lower apparent ellipticities in random projections than initially; on the contrary, the formation of oval distortions and the disc thickening raise the percentage of projections at $0.4 < \epsilon_\mathrm{e} < 0.7$. In the experiments with S0b progenitor galaxies, minor mergers tend to spin up the bulge and to decrease slightly its intrinsic ellipticity, whereas in the cases of primary S0c galaxies they keep the rotational support of the bulge nearly constant and decrease significantly its intrinsic ellipticity. The remnant bulges remain nearly spherical ($B/A \sim C/A > 0.9$), but exhibit a wide range of triaxialities ($0.20 < T < 1.00$). In the plane of global anisotropy of velocities ($\delta$) vs. intrinsic ellipticity ($\epsilon_\mathrm{e,intr}$), some of our models extend the linear trend found in previous major merger simulations towards higher $\epsilon_\mathrm{e,intr}$ values, while others depart from it. This is consistent with the wide dispersion exhibited by real S0s in this diagram as compared to ellipticals, which follow the linear trend drawn by major merger simulations. The different trends exhibited by ellipticals and S0 galaxies in the $\delta$ — $\epsilon_\mathrm{e}$ diagram may be pointing to the different role played by major mergers in the buildup of each morphological type.

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T. Tapia, M. Eliche-Moral, M. Querejeta, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
18/46

A Broadband Polarization Catalog of Extragalactic Radio Sources [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2391

An understanding of cosmic magnetism requires converting the polarization properties of extragalactic radio sources into the rest-frame in which the corresponding polarized emission or Faraday rotation is produced. Motivated by this requirement, we present a catalog of multiwavelength linear polarization and total intensity radio data for polarized sources from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS). We cross-match these sources with a number of complementary measurements — combining data from major radio polarization and total intensity surveys such as AT20G, B3-VLA, GB6, NORTH6CM, Texas, and WENSS, together with other polarization data published over the last 50 years. For 951 sources, we present spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in both fractional polarization and total intensity, each containing between 3 and 56 independent measurements from 400 MHz to 100 GHz. We physically model these SEDs, and where available provide the redshift of the optical counterpart. For a superset of 25,649 sources we provide the total intensity spectral index, $\alpha$. Objects with steep versus flat $\alpha$ generally have different polarization SEDs: steep-spectrum sources exhibit depolarization, while flat-spectrum sources maintain constant polarized fractions over large ranges in wavelength. This suggests the run of polarized fraction with wavelength is predominantly affected by the local source environment, rather than by unrelated foreground magnetoionic material. In addition, a significant fraction (21%) of sources exhibit “repolarization”, which further suggests that polarized SEDs are affected by different emitting regions within the source, rather than by a particular depolarization law. This has implications for the physical interpretation of future broadband polarimetric surveys.

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J. Farnes, B. Gaensler and E. Carretti
Wed, 12 Mar 14
21/46

The Luminosity Function of Galaxies as modeled by a left truncated beta distribution [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2558

A first new luminosity functions of galaxies can be built starting from a left truncated beta probability density function, which is characterized by four parameters. In the astrophysical conversion, the number of parameters increases by one, due to the addition of the overall density of galaxies. A second new galaxy luminosity function is built starting from a left truncated beta probability for the mass of galaxies once a simple nonlinear relationship between mass and luminosity is assumed; in this case the number of parameters is six because the overall density of galaxies and a parameter that regulates mass and luminosity are added. The two new galaxy luminosity functions with finite boundaries were tested on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) in five different bands; the results produce a “better fit” than the Schechter luminosity function in two of the five bands considered. A modified Schechter luminosity function with four parameters has been also analyzed.

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L. Zaninetti
Wed, 12 Mar 14
22/46

21cm fluctuations from primordial magnetic fields [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2608

Recent discoveries of magnetic fields in intergalactic void regions and in high redshift galaxies may indicate that large scale magnetic fields have a primordial origin. If primordial magnetic fields were present soon after the recombination epoch, they would induce density fluctuations on the one hand and dissipate their energy into the primordial gas on the other, and thereby significantly alter the thermal history of the universe. Here we consider both the effects and calculate the brightness temperature fluctuations of the 21cm line using simple Monte-Carlo simulations. We find that the fluctuations of 21cm line from the energy dissipation appear only on very small scales and those from the density fluctuations always dominate on observationally relevant angular scales.

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M. Shiraishi, H. Tashiro and K. Ichiki
Wed, 12 Mar 14
23/46

The Stochastic Gravitational Wave Background Generated by Cosmic String Networks: the Small-Loop Regime [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2621

We consider an alternative approach for the computation of the stochastic gravitational wave background generated by small loops produced throughout the cosmological evolution of cosmic string networks and use it to derive an analytical approximation to the corresponding power spectrum. We show that this approximation produces an excellent ?t to more elaborate results obtained using the Velocity-dependent One-Scale model to describe cosmic string network dynamics, over a wide frequency range, in the small-loop regime.

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L. Sousa and P. Avelino
Wed, 12 Mar 14
25/46

Constraints on Cosmological Models from Hubble Parameters Measurements [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2571

In this paper, we study the cosmological constraints from the measurements of Hubble parameters—$H(z)$ data. Here, we consider two kinds of $H(z)$ data: the direct $H_0$ probe from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of Cepheid variables with $H_0=73.8\pm2.4$ ${\rm km\,s^{-1}\,Mpc^{-1}}$ and several measurements on the Hubble parameter at high redshifts $H(z)$. Employing Markov Chain Monte Carlo method, we also combine the WMAP nine-year data (WMAP9), the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) and type Ia supernovae (SNIa) “Union2.1” compilation to determine the cosmological parameters, such as the equation of state (EoS) of dark energy $w$, the curvature of the universe $\Omega_k$, the total neutrino mass $\sum{m_\nu}$, the effective number of neutrinos $N_{\rm eff}$, and the parameters associated with the power spectrum of primordial fluctuations. These $H(z)$ data provide extra information on the accelerate rate of our Universe at high redshifts. Therefore, adding these $H(z)$ data significantly improves the constraints on cosmological parameters, such as the number of relativistic species. Moreover, we find that direct prior on $H_0$ from HST can also give good constraints on some parameters, due to the degeneracies between these parameters and $H_0$.

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W. Zheng, H. Li, J. Xia, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
27/46

NuSTAR J033202-2746.8: direct constraints on the Compton reflection in a heavily obscured quasar at z~2 [GA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2491

We report NuSTAR observations of NuSTAR J033202-2746.8, a heavily obscured, radio-loud quasar detected in the Extended Chandra Deep Field-South, the deepest layer of the NuSTAR extragalactic survey (~400 ks, at its deepest). NuSTAR J033202-2746.8 is reliably detected by NuSTAR only at E>8 keV and has a very flat spectral slope in the NuSTAR energy band (Gamma=0.55^{+0.62}_{-0.64}; 3-30 keV). Combining the NuSTAR data with extremely deep observations by Chandra and XMM-Newton (4 Ms and 3 Ms, respectively), we constrain the broad-band X-ray spectrum of NuSTAR J033202-2746.8, indicating that this source is a heavily obscured quasar (N_H=5.6^{+0.9}_{-0.8}x10^23 cm^-2) with luminosity L_{10-40 keV}~6.4×10^44 erg s^-1. Although existing optical and near-infrared (near-IR) data, as well as follow-up spectroscopy with the Keck and VLT telescopes, failed to provide a secure redshift identification for NuSTAR J033202-2746.8, we reliably constrain the redshift z=2.00+/-0.04 from the X-ray spectral features (primarily from the iron K edge). The NuSTAR spectrum shows a significant reflection component (R=0.55^{+0.44}_{-0.37}), which was not constrained by previous analyses of Chandra and XMM-Newton data alone. The measured reflection fraction is higher than the R~0 typically observed in bright radio-loud quasars such as NuSTAR J033202-2746.8, which has L_{1.4 GHz}~10^27 W Hz^-1. Constraining the spectral shape of AGN, including bright quasars, is very important for understanding the AGN population, and can have a strong impact on the modeling of the X-ray background. Our results show the importance of NuSTAR in investigating the broad-band spectral properties of quasars out to high redshift.

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A. Moro, J. Mullaney, D. Alexander, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
31/46

The Galaxy Cluster Mid-Infrared Luminosity Function at 1.3<z<3.2 [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2390

We present 4.5 {\mu}m luminosity functions for galaxies identified in 178 candidate galaxy clusters at 1.3 < z < 3.2. The clusters were identified as Spitzer/IRAC color-selected overdensities in the Clusters Around Radio-Loud AGN (CARLA) project, which imaged 421 powerful radio-loud AGN at z > 1.3. The luminosity functions are derived for different redshift and richness bins, and the IRAC imaging reaches depths of m*+2, allowing us to measure the faint end slopes of the luminosity functions. We find that {\alpha} = -1 describes the luminosity function very well in all redshifts bins and does not evolve significantly. This provides evidence that the rate at which the low mass galaxy population grows through star formation, gets quenched and is replenished by in-falling field galaxies does not have a major net effect on the shape of the luminosity function. Our measurements for m* are consistent with passive evolution models and high formation redshifts z_f ~ 3. We find a slight trend towards fainter m* for the richest clusters, implying that the most massive clusters in our sample could contain older stellar populations, yet another example of cosmic downsizing. Modelling shows that a contribution of a star-forming population of up to 40% cannot be ruled out. This value, found from our targeted survey, is significantly lower than the values found for slightly lower redshift, z ~ 1, clusters found in wide-field surveys. The results are consistent with cosmic downsizing, as the clusters studied here were all found in the vicinity of radio-loud AGNs — which have proven to be preferentially located in massive dark matter halos in the richest environments at high redshift — they may therefore be older and more evolved systems than the general protocluster population.

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D. Wylezalek, J. Vernet, C. Breuck, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
38/46

A thousand shadows of Andromeda: rotating planes of satellites in the Millennium-II cosmological simulation [CEA]

http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.2389

In a recent contribution, Bahl \& Baumgardt investigated the incidence of planar alignments of satellite galaxies in the Millennium-II simulation, and concluded that vast thin planes of dwarf galaxies, similar to that observed in the Andromeda galaxy (M31), occur frequently by chance in $\Lambda$-Cold Dark Matter cosmology. However, their analysis did not capture the essential fact that the observed alignment is simultaneously radially extended, yet thin, and kinematically unusual. With the caveat that the Millennium-II simulation may not have sufficient mass resolution to identify confidently simulacra of low-luminosity dwarf galaxies, we re-examine that simulation for planar structures, using the same method as employed by Ibata et al. (2013) on the real M31 satellites. We find that 0.04\% of host galaxies display satellite alignments that are at least as extreme as the observations, when we consider their extent, thickness and number of members rotating in the same sense. We further investigate the angular momentum properties of the co-planar satellites, and find that the median of the specific angular momentum derived from the line of sight velocities in the real M31 structure ($1.3\times10^4$ km/s kpc) is very high compared to systems drawn from the simulations. This analysis confirms that it is highly unlikely that the observed structure around the Andromeda galaxy is due to a chance occurrence. Interestingly, the few extreme systems that are similar to M31 arise from the accretion of a massive sub-halo with its own spatially-concentrated entourage of orphan satellites.

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R. Ibata, N. Ibata, G. Lewis, et. al.
Wed, 12 Mar 14
40/46