Precision Light Curves as Probes of Fundamental Physics

[0507639] michael montgomery，德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校精密光曲线作为基础物理探测器[摘要]将围绕高速光度测定和由此产生的脉动白矮星光曲线进行三个项目。首先，非正弦光曲线将用于约束和测试对流及其对温度（演化）和表面重力（质量）的依赖的发展模型。一个进一步的预期结果是模式识别，这将用于研究白矮星的内部结构。其次，将热氦大气白矮星的脉动漂移与模型进行比较，以确定由于中微子产生（异等离子体衰变）而导致的冷却速率。这些结果将用于测试白矮星中中微子产生的理论模型。最后，斯隆数字巡天档案将搜索额外的高温和高质量白矮星，用于上述工作，以及探索核心结晶发生的温度和密度。这里要解决的问题是紧凑物体领域的基本问题，其结果有望在整个天文学中有更广泛的应用（特别是在对流和中微子冷却方面）。该项目将直接涉及一名博士后研究员（PI）和两名研究生，他们也将得到支持。这项工作的结果将构成agnes Kim博士论文的核心。高中学生和老师也将通过远程连接参与观察。

AST-0507639Michael MontgomeryThe University of Texas at AustinPrecision Light Curves as Probes of Fundamental PhysicsABSTRACTThree projects will be carried out centered around high speed photometry and theresulting light curves from pulsating white dwarfs. First, the non-sinusoidal light curveswill be used to constrain and test developing models of convection and its dependence onthe temperature (evolution) and surface gravity (mass). A further expected outcome ismode identification, which will be used to study the internal structures of the whitedwarfs. Second, the pulsation drift of hot helium-atmosphere white dwarfs will becompared with models to determine the cooling rate due to neutrino production (viaplasmon decay). These results will be used to test theoretical models of neutrinoproduction in white dwarfs. Finally, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey archives will besearched for additional hot and high-mass white dwarfs both for use in the above effortsas well as to explore the temperatures and densities under which core crystallization takesplace. The problems to be approached here are fundamental issues in the field of compactobjects and the results are expected to have broader applications throughout astronomy(particularly with regard to convection and neutrino cooling).The project will directly involve a post doctoral researcher (the PI) and two graduatestudents who will also be supported. The results of this work will form the core of Ms.Agnes Kim's Ph.D. thesis. High school students and teachers will also take part in theobserving via remote connections.