119195821
Probing Radio Emission in Seyfert Galaxies on Parsec- and Kiloparsec-scales
Seyfert galaxies have traditionally been classified as radio-quiet active galactic nuclei. A proper consideration of the nuclear optical emission however proves that a majority of Seyferts are radio-loud. Kpc-scale radio lobes/bubbles are in fact revealed in sensitive observations at low radio frequencies of several Seyferts. Through the use of very long baseline interferometry, we have been able to determine the direction of the parsec-scale jets in some of these Seyfert galaxies. The misalignment between the parsec-scale jets and the kpc-scale lobes that is typically observed, is either suggestive of no connection between the two, or the presence of curved jets that power the radio lobes. In this context, we briefly discuss our new low radio frequency GMRT observations of two Seyfert galaxies with lobes.
115683962
Unveiling the population of high-redshift radio galaxies using centimeter GMRT survey
Ultra Steep Spectrum (USS) radio sources are one of the efficient tracers of High Redshift Radio Galaxies (HzRGs). To search for HzRGs candidates, we investigate properties of a large sample of faint USS sources derived from our deep 325 MHz GMRT observations combined with 1.4 GHz VLA data on the two subfields (i.e., VLA-VIMOS VLT Deep Survey (VVDS) and Subaru X-ray Deep Field (SXDF)) in the XMM-LSS field. The available redshift estimates show that majority of our USS sample sources are at higher redshifts with the median redshifts ~ 1.18 and ~ 1.57 in the VLA-VVDS and SXDF fields. In the VLA-VVDS field, ~ 20% of USS sources lack the redshift estimates as well as the detection in the deep optical, IR surveys, and thus these sources may be considered as potential high-z candidates. The radio luminosity distributions suggest that a substantial fraction (~ 40%) of our USS sample sources are radio-loud sources, distributed over redshifts ~ 0.5 to 4.
119287764
Low-frequency radio observations of Seyfert galaxies: A test of the unification scheme
Aims. We present low-frequency radio imaging and spectral properties of a well defined sample of Seyfert galaxies using GMRT 240/610 MHz dual frequency observations. Radio spectra of Seyfert galaxies over 240 MHz to 5.0 GHz are investigated using 240 MHz, 610 MHz flux densities derived from GMRT, and 1.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz flux densities mainly from published VLA data. We test the predictions of Seyfert unification scheme by comparing the radio properties of Seyfert type 1s and type 2s. Methods. We choose a sample such that the two Seyfert subtypes have matched distributions in parameters that are independent to the orientation of AGN, obscuring torus and the host galaxy. Our sample selection criteria allow us to assume that the two Seyfert subtypes are intrinsically similar within the framework of the unification scheme. Results. The new observations at 240/610 MHz, together with archival observations at 1.4 GHz, 5.0 GHz show that type 1s and type 2s have statistically similar radio luminosity distributions at 240 MHz, 610 MHz, 1.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz. The spectral indices at selected frequency intervals as well as index measured over 240 MHz to 5.0 GHz for the two Seyfert subtypes have similar distributions with median spectral index $/sim$ -0.7, consistent with the synchrotron emission from optically thin plasma. In our snap-shot 240/610 MHz GMRT observations, most of the Seyfert galaxies show primarily an unresolved central radio component, except a few sources in which faint kpc-scale extended emission is apparent at 610 MHz. Our results on the statistical comparison of the multifrequency radio properties of our sample Seyfert galaxies are in agreement with the predictions of the Seyfert unification scheme.
118486527
X-ray spectral properties of Seyfert galaxies and the unification scheme
Context. The unification scheme of Seyfert galaxies predicts that the observed differences between types 1 and 2 Seyfert galaxies are solely due to the differing orientations of the toroidal-shaped obscuring material around AGN. The observed X-ray spectra of Seyfert type 2s compared to type 1s are expected to be affected by higher absorbing column density owing to the edge-on view of the obscuring torus. Aims. We study the 0.5‐10 keV X-ray spectral properties of Seyfert type 1s and type 2s with the aim of testing the predictions of Seyfert unification scheme in the X-ray regime. Methods. We use an optically selected Seyfert sample in which type 1s and type 2s have matched distributions in parameters that are independent of the orientation of AGN and the host galaxy. Results. The 0.5‐10 keV XMM-Newton pn X-ray spectra of Seyfert galaxies are in general best fitted with a model that consists of (i) an absorbed powerlaw; (ii) a narrow Gaussian fitted to the Fe Kα emission line; and (iii) an often seen soft-excess component characterized by either a thermal plasma model with temperature kT ∼ 0.1‐1.0 keV or a steep powerlaw or both. The 2.0‐10 keV hard X-ray continuum emission in several Seyfert type 2s is dominated by reflection and suggests the Compton-thick obscuration. Results of the statistical comparison between the distributions of (i) the observed X-ray luminosities in the soft (0.5‐2.0 keV) and hard (2.0‐10.0 keV) bands; (ii) the X-ray absorbing column densities; (iii) the equivalent widths of Fe Kα line; and (iv) the flux ratios of hard X-ray to [OIII] λ5007 A, for the two Seyfert subtypes are consistent with the obscuration and orientation-based unification scheme.
54620466
Measuring the level of nuclear activity in Seyfert galaxies and the unification scheme
Context. The unification scheme of Seyfert galaxies hypothesizes that Seyfert type 1s and type 2s are intrinsically similar and the observed differences between the two subtypes are solely due to the differing orientations of toroidal-shaped obscuring material around the AGN. In the framework of the unification scheme, both the Seyfert subtypes are expected to show similar intrinsic nuclear properties such as the absorption-corrected AGN X-ray luminosity, bolometric luminosity, accretion rate and the mass of the supermassive black hole. Aims. To test the predictions of the Seyfert unification scheme, we make statistical comparison of the distributions of: (i) the absorption-corrected 2.0‐10 keV X-ray luminosities; (ii) the bolometric luminosities; (iii) the black hole masses and; (iv) the Eddington ratios, of Seyfert type 1s and type 2s. Methods. We use an optically selected Seyfert sample in which type 1s and type 2s are matched in properties that are independent to the orientation of the obscuring torus, the AGN axis and the host galaxy. Results. The distributions of the absorption-corrected 2.0‐10 keV X-ray luminosities (L c.0−10 keV ), the bolometric luminosities (LBol), the black masses (MBH) and, the Eddington ratios (λ) are statistically similar for the two Seyfert subtypes, consistent with the orientation and obscuration based Seyfert unification scheme. The Eddington ratio distributions suggest that both the Seyfert subtypes are accreting at sub-Eddington level with wide span of Eddington ratios i.e., 10 −4 ‐10 −1 .
119234381
Suzaku X-ray spectral study of the Compton-thick Seyfert galaxy NGC 5135
We present the 0.5–50 keV Suzaku broad-band X-ray spectral study of the Compton-thick active galactic nucleus (AGN) in NGC 5135. The Suzaku observation provides the first detection of NGC 5135 above 10 keV that allowed us, for the first time, to estimate the absorbing column density, the intrinsic X-ray luminosity, the strength of the reflection component and the viewing angle of the torus for this AGN. The 0.5–10 keV spectrum of NGC 5135 is characterized by the standard components for a Compton-thick source: a scattered continuum, a prominent Fe Kα emission line [equivalent width (EW) ∼ 2.1 keV] and a soft excess. At higher energies (E > 10 keV), the intrinsic AGN continuum shows up, implying an absorbing column density of the order of ∼2.5 × 1024 cm−2 and the intrinsic 2.0–10 keV X-ray luminosity of ∼1.8 × 1043 erg s−1. Assuming a toroidal geometry of the reprocessing material, we show that an edge-on view of the obscuring torus is preferred in this source.
9833237
Measurement of the damping of the nuclear shell effect in the doubly magic 208Pb region.
The damping of the nuclear shell effect with excitation energy has been measured through an analysis of the neutron spectra following the triton transfer in the (7)Li induced reaction on (205)Tl. The measured neutron spectra demonstrate the expected large shell correction energy for the nuclei in the vicinity of doubly magic (208)Pb and a small value around (184)W. A quantitative extraction of the allowed values of the damping parameter γ, along with those for the asymptotic nuclear level density parameter ã, has been made for the first time.
119193457
Two source emission behavior of projectile fragments alpha in 84Kr interactions at around 1 GeV per nucleon
The emission of projectile fragments alpha has been studied in 84Kr interactions with nuclei of the nuclear emulsion detector composition at relativistic energy below 2 GeV per nucleon. The angular distribution of projectile fragments alpha in terms of transverse momentum could not be explained by a straight and clean-cut collision geometry hypothesis of Participant — Spectator (PS) Model. Therefore, it is assumed that projectile fragments alpha were produced from two separate sources that belong to the projectile spectator region differing drastically in their temperatures. It has been clearly observed that the emission of projectile fragments alpha are from two different sources. The contribution of projectile fragments alpha from contact layer or hot source is a few percent of the total emission of projectile fragments alphas. Most of the projectile fragments alphas are emitted from the cold source.
120645915
High-energy bounds on scattering amplitudes and oscillations in the diffraction-peak region
Rigorous bounds are established on the absorptive part of the scattering amplitude, A(s,t), for t real and within the Lehman-Martin ellipse. This result is used to prove an upper bound on [dlnA(s,t)/dt]t=0, and to show that A(s,t) cannot have a zero in the region 0 > t > -4t0/(lns)2 for s→∞ (√t0=2mΠ for ΠΠ, ΠN, KN, and NN scattering). No assumption is made about the high-energy behavior of the total cross sections.
56310271
Study of the shell effect on nuclear dissipation via neutron multiplicity measurement
Experimental neutron multiplicity data has been fitted using the Kramers' fission width, in statistical model calculations with and without inclusion of shell corrections in nuclear level density, nuclear masses and fission barrier. It has been found that the magnitude of dissipation strength changes to a large extent with inclusion of shell corrections in different ingredients of the statistical model. These observations clearly demonstrate the importance of shell corrections in statistical model calculations.
119113588
Study of Radioactive Impurities in Neutron Transmutation Doped Germanium
A program to develop low temperature (mK) sensors with neutron transmutation doped Ge for rare event studies with a cryogenic bolometer has been initiated. For this purpose, semiconductor grade Ge wafers are irradiated with thermal neutron flux from Dhruva reactor at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai. Spectroscopic studies of irradiated samples have revealed that the environment of the capsule used for irradiating the sample leads to significant levels of 65 Zn, 110m Ag and 182 Ta impurities, which can be reduced by chemical etching of approximately � 50 µm thick surface layer. From measurements of the etched samples in the low background counting setup, activity due to trace impurities of 123 Sb in bulk Ge is estimated to be � 1 Bq/g after irradiation. These estimates indicate that in order to use the NTD Ge sensors for rare event studies, a cooldown period of � 2 years would be necessary to reduce the radioactive background to � 1 mBq/g.