superconducting magnets gravitational wave detectors

Superconducting Magnets Could Detect Gravitational Waves in Unexplored Frequency Bands

Superconducting Magnets as Gravitational Wave Detectors

New findings reported in Physical Review Letters propose that superconducting magnets, typically employed in dark matter detection, could serve as exquisitely sensitive gravitational wave detectors—paving the way for exploring a previously inaccessible frequency band.

Revisiting the Weber Bar Concept

This idea builds upon the original Weber bar design of the 1960s, wherein Joseph Weber suggested detecting gravitational waves via the mechanical resonance of large metal cylinders.

While Weber's method proved effective at specific resonant frequencies, it suffered from diminished sensitivity beyond those limited ranges.

This research builds upon the concept, revealing that DC magnets may act as magnetic Weber bars capable of sensing gravitational waves within the kilohertz to megahertz band.

Expert Insights and Research Collaboration

Publishing website interviewed Dr. Sebastian Ellis of the University og Geneva, who co-authored the study alongside Valerie Domcke of CERN and Nicholas L. Rodd of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

"What we realized is that although the Weber Bar idea performs admirably when the gravitational wave frequency aligns closely with a resonant mode, it proves far less effective outside that range." Ellis told publishing website. "It's akin to an instrument that plays beautifully in tune, but dreadfully out of key."

Harnessing Magnetic Energy for Detection

This novel magnetic technique tackles the core limitation by harnessing the vast magnetic energy stored within superconducting magnets—far surpassing the electrical energy used in conventional Weber bar readouts.

Exploring How Magnetic Fields Respond to Gravitational Wave Disturbances

The Mechanism Behind the Detection

The detection method is based on an ingenious two-stage interplay between gravitational waves and magnetic fields.

As a gravitational wave traverses a superconducting magnet, it triggers minuscule vibrations throughout the structure, much like the subtle shifts seen in LIGO's mirrors.

"As a gravitational wave traverses the magnet, it sets the entire structure vibrating, much like a mechanical force would," said Ellis.

"This vibration distorts the framework housing the current-carrying wire, thereby giving rise to a magnetic field."

Role of SQUIDs and Electromagnetic Readout

Such deformations give rise to a fluctuating magnetic field, which can be identified through exceptionally sensitive quantum sensors known as SQUIDs.

A pickup loop, functioning as a magnetic antenna and positioned near the end of the magnet, can detect the subtle magnetic fluctuations and convert gravitational wave signals into electromagnetic measurements.

Advantages Over Conventional Techniques

This method presents numerous significant benefits when compared with conventional techniques.

Magnetic Weber bars, unlike their conventional counterparts, generate purely electromagnetic signals without the need for complex mechanical conversion, reducing noise and offering wide-ranging frequency responsiveness.

Employing Dark Matter Experiments in the Search for Gravitational Waves

Researchers have drawn attention to potent magnets designed for axion dark matter investigations, notably DMRadio and the ADMX-EFR initiative.

These experiments employ vast superconducting magnets capable of probing both dark matter and gravitational waves at once.

"The chief merit of the magnets destined for axion dark matter experiments lies in their immense magnetic energy—they boast strong fields and considerable size," Ellis remarked.

"As we noted in our publication, it is the electromagnetic energy that chiefly governs the off-resonance sensitivity of a Weber bar—be it magnetic or conventional."

Sensitivity Compared to LIGO

According to the researchers, the sensitivity of these MRI magnets may not quite match LIGO at its best, yet they span a far more extensive frequency range, from a few kilohertz to nearly 10 megahertz.

Importantly, the system would exhibit superior sensitivity to LIGO above a few kilohertz, effectively carving out a new observational frequency band.

Expanding Our Cosmic Outlook

This frequency band remains largely unexplored within the realm of gravitational wave astronomy.

The study stemmed from the realization that current and forthcoming axion experiments already featured ideal infrastructure for detecting gravitational waves.

"It occurred to us that the sizable magnets employed in axion research—both ongoing and planned —might also serve in gravitational wave searches," said Ellis.

"We were hopeful that detecting two signals, rather than just one, would bolster the scientific justification for conducting these experiments."

Technical Challenges and Future Directions

Turning this concept into a functioning detector will demand surmounting notable technical challenges—chief among them, shielding the apparatus from ambient vibrations that could imitate gravitational wave signals.

"The apparatus must be exceptionally well shielded from ambient vibrations," Ellis remarked.

"This necessity closely mirrors the challenges encountered by LIGO and classical Weber Bars like the 2-tonne AURIGA. Their success in isolating these instruments gives us cause for optimism."

Toward Enhanced Sensitivity and Broader Collaboration

The researchers are broadening their collaborative efforts and focusing on particular gravitational wave signatures detectable by functioning magnetic Weber bars. They are also investigating cutting-edge quantum sensors beyond SQUIDs to boost sensitivity.

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zombie fungus fossils ophiocordyceps

Zombie Fungus Fossils Reveal 133-Million Evolutionary Secretes of Ophiocordyceps

Fossilized Fungi Provide Earliest Evidence of Insect-Fungal Interaction

Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences have uncovered fossilized parasitic fungi in mid-Cretaceous amber, providing some of the earliest known direct evidence of fungus-insect interactions and indicating that Ophiocordyceps may have emerged around 133 million years ago, adapting early to different hosts.

How Entomopathogenic Fungi Hijack Insect Behaviour

Zombie Ant Fungus: A Tale of Tropical Mind Control

Entomopathogenic fungi have developed remrkable strategies for manipulating insect hosts, effectively enlisting them in their own destruction. A notable example is Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, known as the "Zombie Ant Fungus," which targets carpenter ants in tropical rain-forests. Upon infection, it take control of the ant's nervous system, forcing it to leave its colony's protection.

Under the fungus's control, the ant becomes a morbid marionette, compelled to scale vegetation and bite down on a leaf. It dies suspended in place as the fungus consumes it from within. Eventually, a fungal stalk, releasing spores onto the forest floor to continue the gruesome cycle.

Summit Disease: Grasshoppers and Crickets Under Fungal Influence

Ants are by no means the sole targets of fungal manipulation. In open meadows and grasslands, entomopathogenic fungi such as Entomophthora grylli infect grasshoppers and crickets, inducing a similarly eerie phenomenon known as "Summit Disease." As the infection advances, the insects forsake their normal behaviour, climbing to the tops of plants and adopting a characteristic splayed-legged pose.

When the fungus ruptures the host's exoskeleton, it emits a fine mist of spores that descent upon uninfected insects below. In certain instances, similar fungi have been seen to manipulate their hosts into wandering erratically before leading them into water, where they drown—providing the moist conditions the fungus requires to thrive.

Death in the Air: Houseflies and Entomophthora Muscae

Flies are not immune to fungal mind control. Entomophthora Muscae infects ordinary houseflies, compelling them to ascent to elevated spots—typically the upper corners of walls or windows—before death. The fly secures itself in place by extending its proboscis, offering and ideal launchpad for the fungus to burst from soft tissues. From the corpse, thread-like structures release spores into the air, ready to infect new hosts.

Spiders in the Web of Fungal Control

Even spiders are not exempt from fungal manipulation. Some Ophiocordyceps fungi drive their hosts to cling to vegetation—be it leaves or twigs—prior to death, allowing the parasite to safely sprout a fruiting structures and disperse spores across the surrounding area.

Evolutionary Engineering: Parasitic Adaptations for Survival

These extraordinary behaviours underscore the remarkable evolutionary adaptations of parasitic fungi. By hijacking their hosts instincts —such as climbing, grasping and movement—they engineer optimal conditions for reproduction. What seems like irrational self-destruction is, in truth, a calculated outcomes of fungal manipulation finely turned to its host.

Fossils in Amber: Unlocking the Fungal Past

Rare Glimpses of Parasitic Relationships in the Fossil Record

Direct fossil evidence of such parasitic relationships is rare, owing to the poor preservation of soft fungal tissues and the challenge of identifying pathogenic traits in ancient material. Earlier studies recorded only a few uncertain examples, with evolutionary timelines for Ophiocordyceps based largely on sparse calibration data and indirect inference.

New Species Identified in 99-Million-Year-Old Kachin Amber

In a study titled "Cretaceous entomopathogenic fungi illuminate the early evolution of insect-fungal associations," published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, researchers reported the discovery of two newly identified fungal species encased in 99-million-year-old Kachin amber.

Paleoophiocordyceps Gerontoformicae and Its Ant Host

Among the two fossil fungi detailed in the study, Paleoophiocordyceps Gerontoformicae was discovered in connection with an infected ant pupa preserved in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, approximately 99-million years old. The ant has been classified within the extinct genus Gerontoformica, part  of the subfamily Sphecomyrminae.

Nest Hygiene Behaviour Preserved in Fossil Evidence

It is probable that the infection began within the nest, as ant larvae typically remain inside. Worker ants may have introduced fungal spores into the nest, later removing the pupa to uphold colony hygiene, a behaviour observed in modern colonies. This fossilized pupa could represent an early example of such practices, with its removal and disposal outside the nest occurring before it was entombed in resin.

Fungal Form and Function: What Morphology Reveals

The morphology of P. gerontoformicae closely resembled traits found in modern ant-associated Ophiocordyceps species. The presence of laterally attached ascoma and asexual characteristics akin to the Hirsutella clade indicates its placements near the base of both the myrmecophilous hirsutelloid and O. sphecocephala line ages.

Ancestral Origins and Host Shifts Through Deep Time

Findings suggest that Ophiocordyceps likely originated in the Early Cretaceous, around 133.25 million years ago—significantly earlier than previous estimates of approximately 100 million years. Ancestral state reconstruction indicates the fungus initially parasitised beetles, later shifting to Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera as these insect groups diversified during the Cretaceous, providing fresh ecological niches for fungal adaptation.

Diversification in Tandem with Insect Hosts

The authors concluded that these fossils represent some of the earliest known evidence of insect pathogenic fungi and reinforce the notion that Ophiocordyceps diversified alongside its insect hosts.

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unexpected mineral found in Ryugu asteroid

Rare Mineral Found in Ryugu Asteroid Challenges Solar System Formation Theories

Hayabusa2 Mission Uncovers Crucial Clues from Ryugu

Pristine Samples and Their Importance

The untouched samples retrieved from asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission on 6 December 2020 have been crucial in refining our knowledge of primitive asteroids and solar system formation. Ryugu, a C-type asteroid, comprises rock akin to CI chondrite meteorites—rich in carbon and bearing clear signs of past aqueous alteration.

Discovery of an Unexpected Mineral in Ryugu

Identification of Djerfisherite

A team of researchers from Hiroshima University has identified the mineral djerfisherite—a potassium-bearing iron-nickel sulphide—within a grain from asteroid Ryugu. Its discovery is entirely unexpected, as such a mineral is not thought to form under the environmental conditions Ryugu is believed to have experienced.

The Journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science has published the team's findings.

Expert Insight from Dr. Masaaki Miyahara

"Ordinarily, djerfisherite is encountered in significantly reduced settings, such as those characteristic of enstatite chondrites. Its absence in CI chondrites and Ryugu material has been consistent—until now," explained Dr. Masaaki Miyahara, first and corresponding author and associate professor at Hiroshima University.

Challenging Current Understanding of Primitive Asteroids

Exotic Conditions or Early Solar System Transport?

"Its presence is akin to discovering a tropical seed embedded within Arctic ice—suggesting either a surprisingly exotic local condition or significant transport across vast distances in the early solar system."

Weathering Experiments and Analysis

Miyahara's research group had been conducting experiments to investigate how Ryugu grains respond to terrestrial weathering. During FE-TEM analysis, they identified djerfisherite in grain number 15 from sample plate C0105-042.

Implications for Solar System Formation Models

"The presence of djerfisherite within a Ryugu grain implies that substances with disparate origins might have mingled in the early solar system, or that Ryugu encountered previously undetected, chemically diverse environments. This discovery contests the assumption of Ryugu's compositional uniformity and raises intriguing questions regarding the complexity of primordial asteroids," explained Miyahara.

Thermal and Chemical History of Ryugu's Parent Body

Formation in the Outer Solar System

Ryugu originated from a larger celestial precursor, which came into being around 1.8 to 2.9 million years post-solar system formation. Scientists surmise this body took shape in the solar system's colder outer zones, rich in frozen water and carbon dioxide.

Radioactive Heating and Ice Melting

Within the parent body, the decay of radioactive isotopes produced heat that led to the melting of ice roughly 3 million years post-formation. During this period, temperatures are believed to have remained below 50°C.

Comparison with Enstatite Chondrites

Conversely, the parent bodies of enstatite chondrites, which exhibit the presence of djerfisherite, are believed to have originated closer to the Sun. Thermodynamic assessments indicate the mineral emerged from condensation within high-temperatures gases.

Experimental Confirmation

In addition, controlled hydrothermal experiments suggest that djerfisherite may from through chemical interactions between postassium-laden fluids and Fe-Ni sulphides at elevated temperatures exceeding 350 °C.

Hypotheses and Future Directions

Two Possible Origins for Djerfisherite in Ryugu

Two explanations were offered for the mineral's inclusion within the Ryugu grain: either it originated elsewhere and was introduced during the parent body's creation, or it formed locally as a result of thermal conditions exceeding 350°C.

Isotopic Analysis to Follow

Initial findings suggest that the hypothesis favouring intrinsic formation is the more probable explanation. Subsequent work will involve isotopic analysis of this and additional Ryugu grains to elucidate their provenance.

Toward a Deeper Understanding of Planetary Formation

Broader Scientific Goals

"Our ultimate objective is to piece together the early mixing events and thermal developments that influenced minor celestial bodies such as Ryugu, thereby enhancing our insight into planetary genesis and mterial movement within the nascent solar system," Miyahara remarks.

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3D time theory quantum unification kletetschka

Radical 3D Time Theory Re-imagines Reality: Space Emerges from Time, Says UAF Scientist

Time as the Fundamental Fabric of Reality

A recent theory from a scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks suggests that time, rather than space-time, constitutes the only true foundation upon which all physical processes unfold.

The theory contends that time consists of three separate dimensions, challenging the traditional view of a single forward-flowing continuum. Space, in turn, arises as a secondary effect.

"These three temporal dimensions constitute the fundamental fabric of reality—akin to the canvas upon which a painting is made," explained Associate Professor Gunther Kletetschka of the UAF Geophysical Institute. "Space, though still three-dimensional, is more comparable to the paint upon that canvas than the canvas itself."

Challenging Mainstream Physics

Such ideas represent a clear departure from mainstream physics, which posits that reality comprises one temporal dimensions—collectively to as spacetime, a unified framework introduced over a century ago.

The six-dimensional model proposed by Kletetschka, uniting and space, could potentially advance efforts to uncover a comprehensive theory of everything.

An Ongoing Scientific Pursuit

Time dimensions that move beyond our everyday linear experience remain elusive and difficult to visualize. Various models have been advanced by theoretical physicists.

Kletetschka's study, released on 21 April in Reports in Advances of Physical Science, contributes to a longstanding line of inquiry pursued by theoretical physicists into an area beyond mainstream physics.

A Testable Theory with Experimental Ties

He maintains that his theoretical structure—based on time having three dimensions—offers improvements over previous models, chiefly through its ability to recreate known particle masses and measurable properties.

"Previous theories of three-dimensional time were largely abstract mathematical models lacking tangible experimental ties," he remarked. "My research elevates the idea to a testable physical theory, validated through several independent methods."

The theory may enable predictions of as-yet-unknown particle properties and contribute to uncovering the origin of mass—ultimately addressing one of physics' most profound questions.

What is 3D Time?

A New Geometric Model of Time

Three-dimensional time refers to a theoretical model in which time, akin to space, unfolds along three independent axes—much like the familiar X, Y and Z directions in spatial geometry.

Visualize strolling down a linear path, with each step marking time's familiar forward march. Then, consider a second route that veers across the first, running laterally.

Were you to step onto that sideways path while remaining within the same point in 'ordinary time', you might encounter subtle differences—perhaps an alternative version of the same day. Travelling this perpendicular route could allow one to explore varied outcomes without moving forwards or backwards in time as we understand it.

Alternative Outcomes and Transitions

The second dimension of time is marked by the existence of alternative outcomes; the third lies in the mechanism enabling transitions between them.

Refining the Theory Beyond Conventional Physics

Kletetschka asserted that his theory addresses several shortcomings present in earlier models of three-dimensional time rooted in conventional physics.

Some previous theories of time propose multiple dimensions wherein the usual order of cause and effect is obscured. Kletetschka's formulation maintains this order, though via a more sophisticated mathematical structure.

Some researchers—among them theoretical physicist Itzhak Bars of the University of Southern California—believe that in three-dimensional time, the second and third dimensions may manifest under conditions of extreme energy, such as those present in the early universe or during high-energy particle collisions.

A Universal Unifier?

Reuniting Gravity and Quantum Mechanics

Bars and fellow theoretical physicists regard the exploration of three-dimensional time as a promising route towards addressing some of physics' most perplexing questions.

Kletetschka's method could potentially address one of the most formidable problems in physics: reconciling quantum mechanics with gravity in a unified theory.

Towards a 'Theory of Everything'

A quantum theory of gravity may well pave the way to a unified theory of the universe—a "Theory of Everything" that brings together all four fundamental forces: electromagnetism, the strong and weak nuclear forces and gravity.

While the Standard Model unifies electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces, gravity remains the domain of Einstein's general relativity.

The two frameworks remain fundamentally incompatible, prompting physicists to pursue a "Theory of Everything" that unites them —understanding the origin of particle masses being key to this endeavour.

Rethinking Physical Reality

Kletetschka is confident that his three-dimensional time theory offers valuable insight. His model successfully reproduces the known masses of particles like electrons, muons and quarks, while also accounting for their origins.

"The journey toward unification may necessitate a fundamental rethinking of the very nature of physical reality," he remarked. "this theory illustrates how adopting a three-dimensional view of time can resolve numerous physical conundrums within one consistent mathematical model."

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thermodynamics einstein assumption corrected nernst theorem

Breakthrough in Thermodynamics Corrects a Long-Standing Einstein Assumption

A Modern Take on Nernst's 1905 Entropy Observation

Professor José Martin-Olalla of the University of Seville has authored a paper in The European Physical Journal Plus, directly associating Nernst's 1905 observation on diminishing entropy exchange at low temperatures with the second law of thermodynamics—deepening our theoretical grasp of absolute zero behaviour in physical systems.

Resolving a 120-Year-Old Scientific Puzzle

The study resolves a long-standing issue dating back 120 years, while also extending the theoretical consequences of the second thermodynamic principle, which dictates the universe's rising entropy. Importantly, it challenges and corrects an assumption introduced by Albert Einstein more than a century ago, marking a notable refinement in classical thermodynamic thought.

Historical Background of Nernst's Theorem

Early 20th-Century Exploration of Absolute Zero

The challenge surrounding Nernst's theorem emerged in the early 20th century during investigations into the behaviour of matter near absolute zero (-273°C). For his pioneering work in this domain, Walther Nernst received the 1920 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Nernst's Argument for the Inaccessibility of Absolute Zero

Nernst explained that if absolute zero were reachable, it would enable the construction of an engine converting all heat into work, defying the entropy principle. Therefore, he concluded its inaccessibility and demonstrated his theorem in 1912.

Einstein's Response and Reinterpretation

Einstein promptly challenged the demonstration, insisting the engine it relied upon was impractical and irrelevant to the second law's validity. He thus reassigned the theorem to a third, distinct principle of the thermodynamics. That view, however, no longer holds under contemporary analysis.

Martín-Olalla's Modern Reformulation

Virtual Engines and Thermodynamic Consistency

In his analysis, Professor Martín-Olalla highlights two subtleties overlooked by Nernst and Einstein: while the second law of thermodynamics formally necessitates Nernst's hypothetical engine, it must remain a virtual construct—one that neither absorbs heat nor performs work and crucially, does not contravene the second principle.

Absolute Zero and Entropy Exchange

By combining both concepts, one may deduce that entropy exchange approaches zero as temperature nears absolute zero—consistent with Nernst's theorem—and that absolute zero itself remains fundamentally unattainable.

Revisiting the Concept of Temperature

Martin-Olalla points out that one of thermodynamics' fundamental challenges is to distinguish between the flet experience of temperature—the perceptions of hot and cold—and its theoretical, measurable definition. In the debate between Nernst and Einstein, temperature was simply an empirical parameter, with the condition of absolute zero defined by a gas's pressure or volume nearing zero.

Redefining Thermodynamic Proofs

Entropy's Unique Value at Absolute Zero

"In formal terms, the second law of thermodynamics offers a more precise conception of temperature's natural zero—unrelated to sensory perception, but instead tied to Nernst's hypothetical, purely virtual engine. This shift significantly alters how the theorem is to be proven."

Heat Capacity Cancellation and Entropy Clarification

According to the study, the cancellation of heat capacities near absolute zero—first outlined by Nernst in 1912—is the sole general property not evidently derived from the second law. Martin-Olalla contends that the second law already implies a unique entropy at absolute zero and that the vanishing heat capacities merely confirm this value to be zero.

Academic Reception and Future Outlook

The professor remarks that this publication marks an initial step towards wider acceptance of a new perspective. "My thermodynamics students were the first to encounter this demonstration. I hope the article increases its visibility, though I am aware that academic circles often change slowly."

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attoclock electron tunneling time

Attoclock Technique Breaks Ground in Measuring Electron Tunneling Time

Quantum Tunneling and the Ultrafast Challenge

Under the influence of an intense laser field, electrons may traverse the quantum tunneling barrier—an energy threshold normally insurmountable. This remarkable phenomenon, central to quantum mechanics and termed quantum tunneling, has attracted sustained academic interest.

Difficulties in Measuring Tunneling Duration

Accurately determining the duration an electron remains within a quantum tunneling barrier during strong-field ionization has long posed difficulties. Recently, physicists have devised sophisticated experimental instruments—attoclocks—capable of capturing ultrafast electron dynamics, potentially resolving this enduring scientific puzzle.

The Carrier-Envelope Phase-Based Attoclock Breakthrough

Although attoclocks hold promise for measuring electron tunneling times, most existing versions have fallen short, lacking in precision and conclusiveness. In a recent Physical Review Letters publication, scientists from Wayne State University and Sorbonne University introduced a new CEP-based attoclock technique, which utilises the carrier-envelope phase—an offset between a laser pulse's envelope and its oscillating field—to obtain more accurate tunneling time data.

Tunneling Time: An Unresolved Quantum Puzzle

"Tunneling time remains one of the enduring puzzles of quantum theory," said Wen, Li, the study's lead author, speaking to publisher website. "Attoclocks provide remarkably fine time resolution—down to mere attoseconds—making them a seemingly ideal tool. Yet, after twenty years of determined investigation, the question continues to elude a definitive answer."

How the New Attoclock Technique Improves Precision

The principal aim of Li and his team's recent investigation was to devise an advanced attoclock capable of measuring electron tunneling time with heightened precision. Unlike conventional attoclocks that infer temporal delays using elliptically polarized light—where the electric field traces an elliptical path—their method offers a novel approach.

Limitations of Conventional Attoclocks

While conventional attoclocks hold promise, they often demand complex modeling and hence produce results of limited reliability.

The Role of Circularly Polarized Light and CEP

In contrast, the approach proposed by Li and his team links elliptical readings to those obtained from circularly polarized light—where electric fields rotate in a circular motion—by capitalizing on the carrier-envelope phase.

Reducing Measurement Distortions

"Unlike traditional attoclock methods, the phase-resolved attoclock accurately follows the peak of the electric field—the precise instant at which electrons escape via tunneling," explained Li. "This approach minimizes non-temporal distortions that typically compromise the accuracy of the measurements."

Experimental Success and New Discoveries

The team has already trialed their novel phase-resolved attoclock through a series of experiments, yielding valuable new insights. Their findings indicate that electron tunneling time is minimal and that deflection angles are largely governed by ionization potential, with tunneling delays playing a fra smaller role.

Future Implications for Quantum Physics and Spectroscopy

The attoclock innovation introduced by Li and his team may soon pave the way for fresh insights into ultrafast quantum phenomena.

Virtually Zero Tunneling Duration

Li states, "Through our novel technique and combined theoretical insights, we reveal that the tunneling duration is virtually non-existent, with deflection angles clearly tied to ionization energies."

The Road to Zeptoclocks and Real-Time Chemistry Tools

"We are currently investigating the near-zero delays observed in the study. Given their minute scale, a 'zeptoclock' may be required. Moreover, owing to the robustness of the technique, we are developing it into a spectroscopic tool for real-time chemical analysis."

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astronomers discover new ultracompact am cvn

Astronomers Discover New Ultracopact AM CVn Binary with Rare Outbursts-TCP J07222683+6220548 Revealed

Introduction to the New Ultracompact binary System

Astronomers from across the world have detected a fresh ultracompact binary system of the AM CVn variety, which displays occasional outbursts. Full details of TCP J07222683+6220548 were released on 27 May in a paper on the arXiv preprint server.

Understanding Cataclysmic Variables (CVs)

Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are binary systems comprising a white dwarf and an ordinary stellar companion, from which the former draws in material. Their luminosity has been observed to surge erratically before settling back into a dormant phase.

The AM CVn Class

The AM CVn Class—taking its name from AM Canum Venaticorum—comprises a rare breed of cataclysmic variable. Here, a white dwarf in helium-dominated, hydrogen-scarce material from a closely orbiting companion. Their orbits are notably brief, lasting between five minutes and around sixty minutes.

Discovery of the New AM CVn System

A team of astronomers headed by Alexander Tarasenkov of the Russion Academy of Sciences has announced the discovery of anew AM CVn system, observed on 20 January 2025 during the New Milky Way (NMW) survey. The object exhibited a seven-day outburst, followed by several episodes of rebrightening from January through March. Subsequent observation confirmed its classification as an AM CVn.

Characteristics of TCP J07222683+6220548 (J0722)

Location and Spectral Profile

The study notes that TCP J07222683+6220548, referred to as J0722, lies at an approximate distance of 1,874 light years. Its spectral profile features a blue continuum with distinct broad helium absorption lines, absent of Balmer hydrogen lines—hallmarks of an AM CVn system undergoing outburst.

Outburst Brightness and Accretion Disc Orientation

J0722's outburst reached a peak brightness of 12.45 magnitude, ranking it among the most luminous AM CVn events recorded to date. The absolute magnitude, measured at 3.4 implies the accretion disc is likely being observed nearly face-on, enhancing its perceived luminosity.

Observations of Photometric Variations

Periodic Modulation and Positive Superhumps

Researchers observed a recurring modulation in J0722's light curve, with a period of roughly 46.87 minutes. This variation is believed to signify positive superhumps, a photometric feature common to certain dwarf novae and similar systems.

Superhums During Re-brightening

The scientists observed that superhumps became distinctly apparent during J0722's first re-brightening phase, occurring between days 18 and 24 post-outburst. They reported no significant variation in the superhump period.

Summary and Future Directions

summarizing their results, the team noted the strong similarity between J0722's outburst pattern and those of long-period AM CVn binaries, reinforcing the call for further observational campaigns.

Importance of Follow-Up Monitoring

According to the scientists, AM CVn systems without thorough post-outburst monitoring could remain hidden within the latest catalogue of cataclysmic variables.

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strauss blue danube beamed space voyager concert

Strauss's 'Blue Danube' Waltzes Its Way into Outer Space

A Celestial Tribute to a Timeless Waltz

Johann Strauss II's 'The Blue Danube' has long evoked the grandeur of space exploration for many, ever since its iconic use in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece 2001: a Space Odyssey.

On Saturday, the iconic waltz quite literally reached the stars, as the European Space Agency broadcast a live rendition into space to mark the composer's bicentenary.

A Global Concert for the Cosmos

A Viennese Performance with International Reach

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra gave a performance in the heart of Austria's capital city.

The concert was streamed live online and simultaneously screened publicly in Vienna, New York's Bryant Park and near the Spanish antenna.

ESA's Role in the Space Broadcast

"The digitized audio will be sent to the expansive 35-meter satellite dish at ESA's Cebreros ground station in Spain," said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the ESA, in advance of the concert.

The Austrian astronomer explained that "from there, the waltz will be broadcast in the form of electromagnetic waves."

'Quintessentially Spatial' in Sound and Symbolism

"The Blue Danube" conjures the refined charm of 19th-century Vienna, still echoed in the city's exuberant ball season.

According to Norbert Kettner, who heads the Vienna Tourist Board, the Danube waltz is regarded as 'a genuine unofficial anthem of space' owing to Kubrick.

Kettner described the timeless waltz as "the typical sound of space", owing to its frequent use during ISS docking manoeuvres.

An Interstellar performance of Hope and Harmony

Music That Floats Through Space

On Saturday, during the performance of the waltz, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra highlighted its ethereal quality, as though it were gliding through space, said Jan Nast, the director.

The Universal Language of Music

Saturday's hour-long "Interstellar Concert" was arranged by Nast, who said music is a language "that touches countless people" and carries "the universal ability to express hope and happiness".

Bridging a Divide Through Sound

A Signal Bound for Voyager 1

Once beamed through Spain's satellite dish, the signal will journey at light speed, arriving at NASA's Voyager 1—the further human-made object in space—after roughly 23 hours and 3 minutes.

Upon leaving Voyager 1 behind, it will forge ahead into the vast interstellar expanse.

Correcting a Cosmic Oversight

In seeking to catch up with the spacecraft and its twin, Voyager 2, Austria aims to correct what many see as a past oversight.

What Voyager Carried, and What It Missed

Each of the Voyager spacecraft bears a "Golden Record"—a 12-inch, gold-plated copper disc designed to tell the story of Earth to alien life.

The record contains 115 analogue images depicting life on Earth, alongside an assortment of sounds and musical excerpts.

Mozart's Inclusion, Strauss's Absence

"The Magic Flute" by Austria's Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was part of the 27 musical selections, yet Strauss's celebrated waltz was absent.

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Embark on a journey where classical music meets the cosmos. Discover how Strauss's Blue Donube transcended Earthly bounds, resonating through the vastness of space, symbolizing humanity's artistic outreach to the stars.

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tev halos middle aged pulsars

TeV Halos Around Middle-Aged Pulsars May Be Universal, Study Reveals

Introduction: Pulsars and Their Mysterious Radiation

Rapidly rotating neutron stars known as pulsars give off periodic radio wave emissions and streams of magnetic radiation, some of which are observable from Earth. These stellar remnants originate from the explosive deaths of massive stars.

Discovery of TeV Halos Around Middle-Aged Pulsars

Astronomers have recently detected expansive regions emitting gamma rays at TeV energies surrounding middle-aged between 100,000 and one million years. Termed TeV halos, these zones are markedly larger than the pulsars' own wind nebulae—clouds formed by the rotation and magnetic fields of the neutrons stars.

Scientific Mystery: What Causes TeV Halos?

The existence of TeV halos encircling some middle-aged pulsars is now well-substantiated, but the underlying processes responsible for their emergence are still not fully understood. It also remains an open question whether these features are prevalent or relatively rare.

The HAWC Observatory Investigation

Research Collaboration and Goals

Researchers from the HAWC collaboration—spanning institutions in Mexico and the US—have endeavored to shed light on this matter using observations from Mexico's High-Altitude Water Cherenkov Observatory. According to their findings in Physical Review Letters, TeV halos may be universal among middle-aged pulsars and might help reveal pulsars invisible to conventional radio and low-energy gamma-ray detectors.

Historical Background: Geminga and Monogem Discoveries

Sara Coutiño De León, a co-author of the publication, told: "Researchers have been working to determine the source of this phenomenon ever since extended TeV gamma-ray emissions were first recorded near the middle-aged pulsars Geminga and Monogem in 2017." 

Key Research Question and Data Sources

"A key question has revolved around whether TeV halos are uncommon traits specific to select pulsars or a widespread feature. This curiosity prompted us to examine data from the HAWC observatory."

Methodology and Observations

Use of High-Energy Gamma-Ray Data

As part of the investigation, De León and her colleagues examined a celestial map drawn from 2,300 days of high-energy gamma-ray data recorded at the HAWC observatory. Perched on the Sierra Negra volcano in Mexico, HAWC excels at detecting secondary particles formed as cosmic gamma rays strike Earth's atmosphere.

Analysis of Middle-Aged Pulsars

"Our attention was on the middle-aged pulsars visible to our detector, where we studied likelihood profiles to gauge the fit with extended gamma-ray emission," said De León. "By aggregating these profiles, we could discern whether a shared signal was evident."

Conclusion: A Step Toward New Detection Methods

In summary, the study's outcomes point to TeV gamma-ray halos being a widespread characteristic of middle-aged pulsars. This revelation opens the possibility of using such halos to identify pulsars that escape detection in radio, X-ray or GeV surveys. Continued research could substantiate this theory and encourage new methods for locating and examining these stellar remnants.

Future Directions and Scientific Implications

According to De León, "Our research supports the view that TeV halos are likely to be a common trait of middle-aged pulsars. This calls for a reassessment of current theories concerning the journey of high-energy particles through the Milky Way. We intend to undertake focused investigation on individual halos to uncover more about particle behavior in these regions."

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Curious about the cosmic mysteries that shape our universe? Discover how TeV halos—vast gamma-ray clouds surrounding ageing pulsars—could help us uncover invisible neutron stars and reshape our understanding of high-energy particle travel across the Milky Way.

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