Showing 1–50 of 248 results for author: Mateo, M

HARMONI@ELT: instrument design, performance, and science capabilities

Authors: B. Neichel, J. Dunlop, S. Chittick, D. Le Mignant, M. Swinbank, A. de Lorenzo-Caceres, W. Taylor, M. Tecza, B. Johnson, A. Costille, N. Bouche, A. Delsanti, T. Morris, J. Piqueras Lopez, B. Garcia, M. Mateo, A. Carlotti, Dan Dickens, Edgard Castillo Dominguez, the HARMONI Consortium

Abstract: HARMONI is the integral field spectrograph for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Designed as the primary workhorse near-infrared spectrograph of the ELT, it will deliver spatially resolved spectroscopy at diffraction-limited angular resolution over the wavelength range 0.75 - 2.4 um, addressing science questions ranging from the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres to the internal kinemati… ▽ More HARMONI is the integral field spectrograph for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). Designed as the primary workhorse near-infrared spectrograph of the ELT, it will deliver spatially resolved spectroscopy at diffraction-limited angular resolution over the wavelength range 0.75 - 2.4 um, addressing science questions ranging from the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres to the internal kinematics of galaxies at the epoch of reionization. This paper presents the current status of the HARMONI project following its recent rescope, describing the new instrument architecture, its key subsystems, and the three adaptive optics modes (Single Conjugate AO (SCAO), Multi-Conjugate AO (MCAO) provided by MORFEO, and High Contrast AO (HCAO)). We present the top-level technical specifications and the expected on-sky performance in terms of Strehl ratio, PSF FWHM, sky coverage, sensitivity, and astrometric accuracy. We describe the new project organization, with a new leadership and Project Management Office (PMO), and provide an update on the project schedule and the path toward instrument delivery. △ Less

Submitted 29 July, 2026; originally announced July 2026.

Constraints on Binarity for the Extreme Oe Variable Star AzV 493

Authors: M. S. Oey, Irene Vargas-Salazar, Edmund Hodges-Kluck, Norberto Castro, Michal K. Szymanski, Mario Mateo, Mathieu Renzo, Mark W. Suffak, Maxwell Moe

Abstract: The extreme Oe star AzV 493 is known to show unusual photometric and spectroscopic variability that suggest the presence of an unseen companion in a highly eccentric and long-period (7.3 or 14.6-year) orbit. We obtained a Chandra/ACIS observation near the putative periastron for the 7.3-year orbit to test for transient X-ray emission that would confirm its binary nature. Our data only place an upp… ▽ More The extreme Oe star AzV 493 is known to show unusual photometric and spectroscopic variability that suggest the presence of an unseen companion in a highly eccentric and long-period (7.3 or 14.6-year) orbit. We obtained a Chandra/ACIS observation near the putative periastron for the 7.3-year orbit to test for transient X-ray emission that would confirm its binary nature. Our data only place an upper limit to the X-ray luminosity of L_X < 2.5 x 10^33 erg/s based on the 0.5 - 8 keV flux limit. Additionally, we obtained 4 new spectroscopic observations with the M2FS spectrograph at Magellan and 20 archive FLAMES/GIRAFFE and X-Shooter spectra from ESO/VLT to further constrain the possibility of radial velocity (RV) variation. Statistical analysis of the RV measurements yields inconclusive results regarding the existence of variations. We discuss possible mass limits for a potential companion, which may be a black hole, in the event that the variations are real. The violet-to-red (V/R) Balmer ratio has also recently inverted, which may be a further indication of a companion. △ Less

Submitted 3 July, 2026; v1 submitted 24 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 13 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Accepted to PASP

Spin effects in the particle current of Bose-Einstein condensates in synthetic gauge fields

Authors: Hugo Bencomo Martín, Antonio Muñoz Mateo

Abstract: Although spin is not a relativistic quantity, its effects are not always manifestly captured within non-relativistic theoretical frameworks. We report on one of these effects: the spin term in the particle current density, which could be observed in the setup of a synthetic Hall system made with non-relativistic Bose-Einstein condensates of pseudospin-1/2 bosonic particles. By tuning the interacti… ▽ More Although spin is not a relativistic quantity, its effects are not always manifestly captured within non-relativistic theoretical frameworks. We report on one of these effects: the spin term in the particle current density, which could be observed in the setup of a synthetic Hall system made with non-relativistic Bose-Einstein condensates of pseudospin-1/2 bosonic particles. By tuning the interaction strength, the system can show how the spin term in the particle current is needed for the local matching of classical drift velocity in the ground state of the non-interacting system, whereas for increasing interactions the spin-to-orbital current ratio decreases. In either case, since the overall particle velocity changes with the spin term contribution, so does its circulation in a loop, which in turn has physical consequences for its relationship with the Aharonov-Bohm phase shift. △ Less

Submitted 15 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 8 pages, 4 figures

Testing Heavy Dark Matter Decay as the Origin of KM3-230213A

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, J. A. Aguilar, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, S. Alshalloudi, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, L. Barigione, M. Barnard, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit, Z. Beňušová, E. Berbee, C. van Bergen , et al. (265 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: This work explores the hypothesis that the ultra-high-energy neutrino event KM3-230213A originates from the decay of a heavy dark matter particle with a mass above PeV scale. The analysis exploits the deposited energy and arrival direction of the event as well as a complete detector Monte Carlo simulation to compute the expected signal distributions for different decay channels and assesses the re… ▽ More This work explores the hypothesis that the ultra-high-energy neutrino event KM3-230213A originates from the decay of a heavy dark matter particle with a mass above PeV scale. The analysis exploits the deposited energy and arrival direction of the event as well as a complete detector Monte Carlo simulation to compute the expected signal distributions for different decay channels and assesses the relative contributions from Galactic and extragalactic dark matter. Assuming a dark matter origin of the event, we find that the preferred mass at 95% C.L. is larger than about 100 PeV in all scenarios considered, with best-fit lifetimes in the range $10^{26}$-$10^{27}$ s. These preferred regions are in tension with existing bounds from other neutrino telescopes and gamma-ray observations. △ Less

Submitted 8 June, 2026; originally announced June 2026.

Comments: 11 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

Atmospheric neutrino constraints on Lorentz invariance violation with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, S. Alshalloudi, S. Alves Garre, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, L. Barigione, M. Barnard, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit, Z. Beňušová, E. Berbee , et al. (272 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Lorentz invariance is a fundamental symmetry underlying both the Standard Model of particle physics and General Relativity. Testing its validity provides a direct means of searching for new physics emerging near the Planck scale. A search for isotropic Lorentz invariance violation with 1.4 years of atmospheric neutrino data collected by a partial configuration of the KM3NeT/ORCA detector comprisin… ▽ More Lorentz invariance is a fundamental symmetry underlying both the Standard Model of particle physics and General Relativity. Testing its validity provides a direct means of searching for new physics emerging near the Planck scale. A search for isotropic Lorentz invariance violation with 1.4 years of atmospheric neutrino data collected by a partial configuration of the KM3NeT/ORCA detector comprising six detection units is presented. No evidence for such violation is found; thus, competitive limits are set on a subset of isotropic Lorentz invariance violating coefficients, which complement and extend existing experimental constraints. △ Less

Submitted 4 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Enhancing low energy reconstruction and classification in KM3NeT/ORCA with transformers

Authors: Iván Mozún Mateo

Abstract: The current KM3NeT/ORCA neutrino telescope, still under construction, has not yet reached its full potential in neutrino reconstruction capability. When training any deep learning model, no explicit information about the physics or the detector is provided, thus they remain unknown to the model. This study leverages the strengths of transformers by incorporating attention masks inspired by the phy… ▽ More The current KM3NeT/ORCA neutrino telescope, still under construction, has not yet reached its full potential in neutrino reconstruction capability. When training any deep learning model, no explicit information about the physics or the detector is provided, thus they remain unknown to the model. This study leverages the strengths of transformers by incorporating attention masks inspired by the physics and detector design, making the model understand both the telescope design and the neutrino physics measured on it. The study also shows the efficacy of transformers on retaining valuable information between detectors when doing fine-tuning from one configurations to another. △ Less

Submitted 7 March, 2026; v1 submitted 24 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Optimizing the potential of KM3NeT in detecting core-collapse supernovae

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, S. Alshalloudi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit, Z. Beňušová, E. Berbee, E. Berti , et al. (263 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Core-collapse supernovae mark the end of life of massive stars. However, despite their importance in astrophysics, their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Neutrinos that emerge from the dense core of the star offer a promising way to study supernova dynamics. A strategy is presented to improve the potential of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope to detect core-collapse supernovae in our Galaxy or th… ▽ More Core-collapse supernovae mark the end of life of massive stars. However, despite their importance in astrophysics, their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Neutrinos that emerge from the dense core of the star offer a promising way to study supernova dynamics. A strategy is presented to improve the potential of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope to detect core-collapse supernovae in our Galaxy or the Large Magellanic Cloud by further exploiting the properties of its optical modules equipped with multiple photomultipliers. A supernova burst is expected to produce a sudden hit rate increase in the KM3NeT detectors. New observables have been defined for individual optical modules that exploit the geometry and time distribution of the detected hits, enabling a better discrimination between signal and background signatures. In addition, a thorough investigation of the related systematic uncertainties is presented for the first time. When implemented, this new methodology allowed KM3NeT to probe 46% more Galactic core-collapse supernova candidates than with the previous trigger strategy, reaching the dense Galactic bulge. It is now expected that, once completed, KM3NeT will achieve full Galactic sensitivity to core-collapse supernovae. △ Less

Submitted 13 January, 2026; v1 submitted 23 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 24 pages, 11 figures

Search for an eV-scale sterile neutrino with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, S. Alshalloudi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit, Z. Beňušová, E. Berbee, E. Berti , et al. (263 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The existence of an eV-scale sterile neutrino has been proposed to explain several anomalous experimental results obtained over the course of the past 25 years. The first search for such a sterile neutrino conducted with data from KM3NeT/ORCA -- a water Cherenkov neutrino telescope under construction at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea -- is reported in this paper. GeV-scale atmospheric neutrin… ▽ More The existence of an eV-scale sterile neutrino has been proposed to explain several anomalous experimental results obtained over the course of the past 25 years. The first search for such a sterile neutrino conducted with data from KM3NeT/ORCA -- a water Cherenkov neutrino telescope under construction at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea -- is reported in this paper. GeV-scale atmospheric neutrino oscillations are measured by reconstructing the energy and arrival direction of up-going neutrinos that have traversed the Earth. This study is based on a data sample containing 5828 neutrino candidates collected with 6 detection units ($5\%$ of the complete detector), corresponding to an exposure of 433 kton-years. From the expected effect of an eV-scale sterile neutrino on the first $ν_μ\rightarrow ν_τ$ standard oscillation maximum, simultaneous constraints are put on the magnitude of the $U_{μ4}$ and $U_{τ4}$ mixing elements assuming $Δm^2_{41} \geq 1$ eV$^2$. The results are compatible with the absence of mixing between active neutrinos and a sterile state, with $|U_{μ4}|^2 < 0.138$ and $|U_{τ4}|^2 < 0.076$ at a $90\%$ confidence level. Such constraints are compatible with the results reported by other long-baseline experiments, and indicate that with KM3NeT/ORCA it is possible to bring crucial contributions to sterile neutrino searches in the coming years. △ Less

Submitted 21 November, 2025; v1 submitted 8 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 23 pages, 6 figures; minor revisions following comments from referee

Constraining gamma-ray burst parameters with the first ultra-high energy neutrino event KM3-230213A

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, S. Alshalloudi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit, Beňušová, E. Berbee , et al. (256 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Context: The detection of the highest energy neutrino observed to date by KM3NeT, with an estimated energy of 220 PeV, opens up new possibilities for the study and identification of the astrophysical sources responsible for a diffuse flux of such ultra-high-energy neutrinos, among which gamma-ray bursts are longstanding candidates. Aims: Based on the event KM3-230213A, we derive constraints on t… ▽ More Context: The detection of the highest energy neutrino observed to date by KM3NeT, with an estimated energy of 220 PeV, opens up new possibilities for the study and identification of the astrophysical sources responsible for a diffuse flux of such ultra-high-energy neutrinos, among which gamma-ray bursts are longstanding candidates. Aims: Based on the event KM3-230213A, we derive constraints on the baryon loading and density of the surrounding environment in models of blastwaves in long-duration gamma-ray bursts. Methods: We compute the diffuse flux from gamma-ray burst blastwaves, either expanding in a constant density interstellar medium or developing in a radially decreasing density of a wind-like environment surrounding the gamma-ray burst progenitor star, by taking into account the expected neutrino spectra and luminosity function. We use a Poisson likelihood method to constrain the blastwave model parameters by calculating the expected number of neutrino events within the 90% confidence level energy range of KM3-230213A and by using the joint exposure of KM3NeT/ARCA, IceCube and Pierre Auger. Results: We constrain the baryon loading to be $\leq \{392, 131, 39, 13\}$ at 90% confidence level, which is inversely proportional to a varying interstellar medium particle density of $\{1, 3, 10, 30\}$ cm$^{-3}$. In the wind-like environment case, the baryon loading is $\leq \{20, 50, 100\}$ at 90% confidence level, which is proportional to the sixth power of a varying density parameter of $\{0.05, 0.06, 0.07\}$. △ Less

Submitted 19 May, 2026; v1 submitted 18 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Journal ref: A&A 710, A168 (2026)

Spectroscopic Confirmation: Fast rotators in the young clusters NGC 1856 and NGC 1953

Authors: Paul I. Cristofari, Andrea K. Dupree, Antonino P. Milone, Mario Mateo, Matias Chiarpotti

Abstract: We present the results of a spectroscopic investigation of two Large Magellanic Cloud globular clusters, NGC 1953 and NGC 1856. Both clusters have similar ages (250 and 300 Myr, respectively). Spectra were recorded with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System located on the Magellan-Clay 6.5m telescope. Spectra were visually inspected to assess the presence of stellar H$α$ emission lines attributed to… ▽ More We present the results of a spectroscopic investigation of two Large Magellanic Cloud globular clusters, NGC 1953 and NGC 1856. Both clusters have similar ages (250 and 300 Myr, respectively). Spectra were recorded with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System located on the Magellan-Clay 6.5m telescope. Spectra were visually inspected to assess the presence of stellar H$α$ emission lines attributed to B stars rotating close to breakup velocity (Be stars). High fractions of Be stars in the cluster typically indicate the presence of a large population of fast rotating stars, predicted by some models to explain the observed split and extended main sequence. There are numerous Be star candidates in NGC 1856, exhibiting weak but broad H$α$ emission. However, only one such target was detected in NGC 1953. This stark contrast between the observed populations for NGC 1856 and NGC 1953 may suggest that cluster density plays a key role in determining the fraction of Be stars. These results provide essential constraints for the different scenarios attempting to explain the bimodal distribution of rotational velocities and the multiple populations of stars observed in globular clusters. The impact of stellar radial velocity and nebular emission on photometric measures is assessed through simulations relying on the spectra. These simulations suggest that photometric studies can under-estimate the fraction of H$α$ emitters in a cluster, in particular for stars with relatively weak emission features. The results also show that nebular emission has minimal impact on the photometric H$α$ excesses. △ Less

Submitted 4 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 13 figures; Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

New Field OB and OBe Binaries of the SMC Wing: Observational Properties and Population Modeling

Authors: Irene Vargas-Salazar, M. S. Oey, Jan J. Eldridge, Drew Weisserman, Helen C. Januszewski, Juliette C. Becker, Stefano Zazzera, Norberto Castro, Yongjung Kim, Kaitlin M. Kratter, Mario Mateo, John I. Bailey III

Abstract: We present a radial velocity (RV) survey of the field OB and OBe stars of the SMC Wing. We use multi-epoch observations of 55 targets obtained with the Magellan IMACS and M2FS multi-object spectrographs to identify single- and double-lined spectroscopic binaries. We also use TESS light curves to identify new eclipsing binary candidates. We find that 10 each of our 34 OB (29\%) and 21 OBe (48\%) st… ▽ More We present a radial velocity (RV) survey of the field OB and OBe stars of the SMC Wing. We use multi-epoch observations of 55 targets obtained with the Magellan IMACS and M2FS multi-object spectrographs to identify single- and double-lined spectroscopic binaries. We also use TESS light curves to identify new eclipsing binary candidates. We find that 10 each of our 34 OB (29\%) and 21 OBe (48\%) stars are confirmed binaries, and at least $\sim$ 6 more are candidates. Using our RV measurements, we set constraints on the companion masses, and in some cases, on periods, eccentricities and inclinations. The RV data suggest that OB binaries favor more circular orbits (mean eccentricity $\langle e\rangle = 0.08\pm 0.02$) while OBe binaries are eccentric ($\langle e\rangle = 0.45\pm 0.04$). We identify 2 candidate black hole binaries, [M2002] 77616, and 81941. We use BPASS to predict the frequencies of ejected OB and OBe stars and binaries, assuming OBe stars are binary mass gainers ejected by the companion supernova. We also predict the frequencies of black-hole, neutron-star, and stripped-star companions, and we model the distributions of primary and secondary masses, periods, eccentricities, and velocity distributions. The models are broadly consistent with the binary origin scenario for OBe stars, and predict an even larger number of post-supernova OB binaries. Comparison with the kinematics supports a significant contribution from dynamical ejections for both OB and OBe stars, although less so for binaries. △ Less

Submitted 15 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 47 pages, 18 figures, to be published in ApJ

The Online Data Filter for the KM3NeT Neutrino Telescopes

Authors: O. Adriani, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardacova, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (257 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT research infrastructure comprises two neutrino telescopes located in the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea, namely ORCA and ARCA. KM3NeT/ORCA is designed for the measurement of neutrino properties and KM3NeT/ARCA for the detection of high-energy neutrinos from the cosmos. Neutrinos are indirectly detected using three-dimensional arrays of photo-sensors which detect the Cherenkov ligh… ▽ More The KM3NeT research infrastructure comprises two neutrino telescopes located in the deep waters of the Mediterranean Sea, namely ORCA and ARCA. KM3NeT/ORCA is designed for the measurement of neutrino properties and KM3NeT/ARCA for the detection of high-energy neutrinos from the cosmos. Neutrinos are indirectly detected using three-dimensional arrays of photo-sensors which detect the Cherenkov light that is produced when relativistic charged particles emerge from a neutrino interaction. The analogue pulses from the photo-sensors are digitised offshore and all digital data are sent to a station on shore where they are processed in real time using a farm of commodity servers and custom software. In this paper, the design and performance of the software that is used to filter the data are presented. The performance of the data filter is evaluated in terms of its efficiency, purity and capacity. The efficiency is measured by the effective volumes of the sensor arrays as a function of the energy of the neutrino. The purity is measured by a comparison of the event rate caused by muons produced by cosmic ray interactions in the Earth's atmosphere with the event rate caused by the background from decays of radioactive elements in the sea water and bioluminescence. The capacity is measured by the minimal number of servers that is needed to sustain the rate of incoming data. The results of these evaluations comply with all specifications. The count rates of all photo-sensors are measured with a sampling frequency of 10 Hz. These data are input to the simulations of the detector response and will also be made available for interdisciplinary research. △ Less

Submitted 15 October, 2025; v1 submitted 6 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: 29 pages, 4 figures

Half-vortex states in the rotating outer core of neutron stars

Authors: J. A. Gil Granados, A. Muñoz Mateo, X. Viñas

Abstract: We probe the superfluid-superconductor dynamics of the rotating outer core of neutron stars through half-vortex states. By means of a generalized hydrodynamic model, where proton and neutron fluids are coupled by both dynamic entrainment and Skyrme SLy4 nucleon-nucleon interactions, we analyze single flux tubes in the proton-superconductor component of the system that thread proton vortices locate… ▽ More We probe the superfluid-superconductor dynamics of the rotating outer core of neutron stars through half-vortex states. By means of a generalized hydrodynamic model, where proton and neutron fluids are coupled by both dynamic entrainment and Skyrme SLy4 nucleon-nucleon interactions, we analyze single flux tubes in the proton-superconductor component of the system that thread proton vortices located faraway from neutron vortices. It is shown how they give rise to hydrodynamic perturbations in the coexisting neutron superfluid, and its structure remains unaltered for varying rotation rates and magnetic fields within ranges of observational values. △ Less

Submitted 10 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 9 pages, 5 figures

KM3NeT Constraint on Lorentz-Violating Superluminal Neutrino Velocity

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, C. Argüelles, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit , et al. (268 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Lorentz invariance is a fundamental symmetry of spacetime and foundational to modern physics. One of its most important consequences is the constancy of the speed of light. This invariance, together with the geometry of spacetime, implies that no particle can move faster than the speed of light. In this article, we present the most stringent neutrino-based test of this prediction, using the highes… ▽ More Lorentz invariance is a fundamental symmetry of spacetime and foundational to modern physics. One of its most important consequences is the constancy of the speed of light. This invariance, together with the geometry of spacetime, implies that no particle can move faster than the speed of light. In this article, we present the most stringent neutrino-based test of this prediction, using the highest energy neutrino ever detected to date, KM3-230213A. The arrival of this event, with an energy of $220^{+570}_{-110}\,\text{PeV}$, sets a constraint on $δ\equiv c_ν^2-1 < 4\times10^{-22}$. △ Less

Submitted 24 February, 2025; v1 submitted 17 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

On the Potential Galactic Origin of the Ultra-High-Energy Event KM3-230213A

Authors: O. Adriani, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (264 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT observatory detected the most energetic neutrino candidate ever observed, with an energy between 72 PeV and 2.6 EeV at the 90% confidence level. The observed neutrino is likely of cosmic origin. In this article, it is investigated if the neutrino could have been produced within the Milky Way. Considering the low fluxes of the Galactic diffuse emission at these energies, the lack of a ne… ▽ More The KM3NeT observatory detected the most energetic neutrino candidate ever observed, with an energy between 72 PeV and 2.6 EeV at the 90% confidence level. The observed neutrino is likely of cosmic origin. In this article, it is investigated if the neutrino could have been produced within the Milky Way. Considering the low fluxes of the Galactic diffuse emission at these energies, the lack of a nearby potential Galactic particle accelerator in the direction of the event and the difficulty to accelerate particles to such high energies in Galactic systems, we conclude that if the event is indeed cosmic, it is most likely of extragalactic origin. △ Less

Submitted 14 February, 2025; v1 submitted 12 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

The ultra-high-energy event KM3-230213A within the global neutrino landscape

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, O. Adriani, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, C. Argüelles, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani , et al. (268 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: On February 13th, 2023, the KM3NeT/ARCA telescope detected a neutrino candidate with an estimated energy in the hundreds of PeVs. In this article, the observation of this ultra-high-energy neutrino is discussed in light of null observations above tens of PeV from the IceCube and Pierre Auger observatories. Performing a joint fit of all experiments under the assumption of an isotropic $E^{-2}$ flux… ▽ More On February 13th, 2023, the KM3NeT/ARCA telescope detected a neutrino candidate with an estimated energy in the hundreds of PeVs. In this article, the observation of this ultra-high-energy neutrino is discussed in light of null observations above tens of PeV from the IceCube and Pierre Auger observatories. Performing a joint fit of all experiments under the assumption of an isotropic $E^{-2}$ flux, the best-fit single-flavour flux normalisation is $E^2 Φ^{\rm 1f}_{ν+ \bar ν} = 7.5 \times 10^{-10}~{\rm GeV cm^{-2} s^{-1} sr^{-1}}$ in the 90% energy range of the KM3NeT event. Furthermore, the ultra-high-energy data are then fit together with the IceCube measurements at lower energies, either with a single power law or with a broken power law, allowing for the presence of a new component in the spectrum. The joint fit including non-observations by other experiments in the ultra-high-energy region shows a slight preference for a break in the PeV regime if the ``High-Energy Starting Events'' sample is included, and no such preference for the other two IceCube samples investigated. A stronger preference for a break appears if only the KM3NeT data is considered in the ultra-high-energy region, though the flux resulting from such a fit would be inconsistent with null observations from IceCube and Pierre Auger. In all cases, the observed tension between KM3NeT and other datasets is of the order of $2.5σ-3σ$, and increased statistics are required to resolve this apparent tension and better characterise the neutrino landscape at ultra-high energies. △ Less

Submitted 12 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: 11 pages, 4 figures

Study of tau neutrinos and non-unitary neutrino mixing with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (252 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Oscillations of atmospheric muon and electron neutrinos produce tau neutrinos with energies in the GeV range, which can be observed by the ORCA detector of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea. First measurements with ORCA6, an early subarray corresponding to about 5$\%$ of the final detector, are presented. A sample of 5828 neutrino candidates has been selected from the analysed… ▽ More Oscillations of atmospheric muon and electron neutrinos produce tau neutrinos with energies in the GeV range, which can be observed by the ORCA detector of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean Sea. First measurements with ORCA6, an early subarray corresponding to about 5$\%$ of the final detector, are presented. A sample of 5828 neutrino candidates has been selected from the analysed exposure of 433 kton-years. The $ν_τ$ normalisation, defined as the ratio between the number of observed and expected tau neutrino events, is measured to be $S_τ= 0.48^{+0.5}_{-0.33}$. This translates into a $ν_τ$ charged-current cross section measurement of $σ_τ^{\text{meas}} = (2.5 ^{+2.6}_{-1.8}) \times 10^{-38}$ cm$^{2}$ nucleon$^{-1}$ at the median $ν_τ$ energy of 20.3 GeV. The result is consistent with the measurements of other experiments. In addition, the current limit on the non-unitarity parameter affecting the $τ$-row of the neutrino mixing matrix was improved, with $α_{33}>$ 0.95 at the 95$\%$ confidence level. △ Less

Submitted 30 April, 2025; v1 submitted 3 February, 2025; originally announced February 2025.

Comments: 25 pages, 8 figures

Probing invisible neutrino decay with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee, V. Bertin , et al. (251 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: In the era of precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters, it is necessary for experiments to disentangle discrepancies that may indicate physics beyond the Standard Model in the neutrino sector. KM3NeT/ORCA is a water Cherenkov neutrino detector under construction and anchored at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The detector is designed to study the oscillations of atmospheric n… ▽ More In the era of precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters, it is necessary for experiments to disentangle discrepancies that may indicate physics beyond the Standard Model in the neutrino sector. KM3NeT/ORCA is a water Cherenkov neutrino detector under construction and anchored at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The detector is designed to study the oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos and determine the neutrino mass ordering. This paper focuses on the initial configuration of ORCA, referred to as ORCA6, which comprises six out of the foreseen 115 detection units of photosensors. A high-purity neutrino sample was extracted during 2020 and 2021, corresponding to an exposure of 433 kton-years. This sample is analysed following a binned log-likelihood approach to search for invisible neutrino decay, in a three-flavour neutrino oscillation scenario, where the third neutrino mass state $ν_3$ decays into an invisible state, e.g. a sterile neutrino. The resulting best fit of the invisible neutrino decay parameter is $α_3 = 0.92^{+1.08}_{-0.57}\times 10^{-4}~\mathrm{eV^2}$, corresponding to a scenario with $θ_{23}$ in the second octant and normal neutrino mass ordering. The results are consistent with the Standard Model, within a $2.1\,σ$ interval. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2025; v1 submitted 20 January, 2025; originally announced January 2025.

Comments: 22 pages, 9 figures

IFUM Integrated Field Spectroscopy of Ten M104 Satellite Galaxy Candidates

Authors: Ethan Crosby, Mario Mateo, Ivanna Escala, Helmut Jerjen, Oliver Müller, Marcel S. Pawlowski

Abstract: We report the spectroscopic analysis of ten satellite galaxy candidates in the sphere of influence of the Sombrero galaxy (M104, NGC4594), based on data obtained with IFUM (Integral Field Units for Magellan). Based on their newly-observed recessional velocities, we confirm that nine of these candidates are satellite galaxies of M104, with one being a background dwarf galaxy. All ten dwarfs have st… ▽ More We report the spectroscopic analysis of ten satellite galaxy candidates in the sphere of influence of the Sombrero galaxy (M104, NGC4594), based on data obtained with IFUM (Integral Field Units for Magellan). Based on their newly-observed recessional velocities, we confirm that nine of these candidates are satellite galaxies of M104, with one being a background dwarf galaxy. All ten dwarfs have stellar masses $2\times10^{7}\,M_{\odot}$ to $1\times10^{9}\,M_{\odot}$ and mean weighted metallicities $-1.7<\langle{[\mathrm{M/H}]}\rangle<-0.3$. Although these dwarfs are predominantly old, with stellar populations $\sim5-11\,$Gyr. However, this sample contains a local example of a low-mass "Green Pea" candidate, it exhibits extreme optical emission features and broad emission line features ($σ\sim250\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) reminiscent of high-redshift Ly$α$/LyC photon leaking galaxies. Using the newly-acquired recessional velocities of the nine satellites of M104, we find no evidence of coherent satellite motions unlike other nearby $L_*$ galaxy environments. Given the small sample, this results does not statistically rule out such coherent motions. There remain 60 satellite candidates of M104 for which future spectroscopy can more reliably test for such motion. Using the observed dwarf galaxies as tracers of the gravitational potential of M104, we estimate the dynamical mass of M104, $M_{dyn}=(12.4\pm6.5)\times10^{12}M_{\odot}$, and find that, making a reasonable estimate of M104's gas mass, $>90\%$ of its baryons are missing. These results agree with previous measurements of M104's dynamical mass. △ Less

Submitted 2 December, 2024; originally announced December 2024.

Comments: 15 pages, 11 figures. Accepted to the MNRAS

Search for non-standard neutrino interactions with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee, V. Bertin , et al. (239 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: KM3NeT/ORCA is an underwater neutrino telescope under construction in the Mediterranean Sea. Its primary scientific goal is to measure the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters and to determine the neutrino mass ordering. ORCA can constrain the oscillation parameters $Δm^{2}_{31}$ and $θ_{23}$ by reconstructing the arrival direction and energy of multi-GeV neutrinos crossing the Earth. Searc… ▽ More KM3NeT/ORCA is an underwater neutrino telescope under construction in the Mediterranean Sea. Its primary scientific goal is to measure the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters and to determine the neutrino mass ordering. ORCA can constrain the oscillation parameters $Δm^{2}_{31}$ and $θ_{23}$ by reconstructing the arrival direction and energy of multi-GeV neutrinos crossing the Earth. Searches for deviations from the Standard Model of particle physics in the forward scattering of neutrinos inside Earth matter, produced by Non-Standard Interactions, can be conducted by investigating distortions of the standard oscillation pattern of neutrinos of all flavours. This work reports on the results of the search for non-standard neutrino interactions using the first six detection units of ORCA and 433 kton-years of exposure. No significant deviation from standard interactions was found in a sample of 5828 events reconstructed in the 1 GeV$-$1 TeV energy range. The flavour structure of the non-standard coupling was constrained at 90\% confidence level to be $|\varepsilon_{μτ} | \leq 5.4 \times 10^{-3}$, $|\varepsilon_{eτ} | \leq 7.4 \times 10^{-2}$, $|\varepsilon_{eμ} | \leq 5.6 \times 10^{-2}$ and $-0.015 \leq \varepsilon_{ττ} - \varepsilon_{μμ} \leq 0.017$. The results are comparable to the current most stringent limits placed on the parameters by other experiments. △ Less

Submitted 22 January, 2025; v1 submitted 28 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Leveraging Foundation Models To learn the shape of semi-fluid deformable objects

Authors: Omar El Assal, Carlos M. Mateo, Sebastien Ciron, David Fofi

Abstract: One of the difficulties imposed on the manipulation of deformable objects is their characterization and the detection of representative keypoints for the purpose of manipulation. A keen interest was manifested by researchers in the last decade to characterize and manipulate deformable objects of non-fluid nature, such as clothes and ropes. Even though several propositions were made in the regard o… ▽ More One of the difficulties imposed on the manipulation of deformable objects is their characterization and the detection of representative keypoints for the purpose of manipulation. A keen interest was manifested by researchers in the last decade to characterize and manipulate deformable objects of non-fluid nature, such as clothes and ropes. Even though several propositions were made in the regard of object characterization, however researchers were always confronted with the need of pixel-level information of the object through images to extract relevant information. This usually is accomplished by means of segmentation networks trained on manually labeled data for this purpose. In this paper, we address the subject of characterizing weld pool to define stable features that serve as information for further motion control objectives. We achieve this by employing different pipelines. The first one consists of characterizing fluid deformable objects through the use of a generative model that is trained using a teacher-student framework. And in the second one we leverage foundation models by using them as teachers to characterize the object in the image, without the need of any pre-training and any dataset. The performance of knowledge distillation from foundation models into a smaller generative model shows prominent results in the characterization of deformable objects. The student network was capable of learning to retrieve the keypoitns of the object with an error of 13.4 pixels. And the teacher was evaluated based on its capacities to retrieve pixel level information represented by the object mask, with a mean Intersection Over Union (mIoU) of 75.26%. △ Less

Submitted 25 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

Journal ref: 4th workshop on RObotic MAnipulation of Deformable Objects: beyond traditional approaches (ROMADO), IROS, Oct 2024, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

First Searches for Dark Matter with the KM3NeT Neutrino Telescopes

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (240 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Indirect dark matter detection methods are used to observe the products of dark matter annihilations or decays originating from astrophysical objects where large amounts of dark matter are thought to accumulate. With neutrino telescopes, an excess of neutrinos is searched for in nearby dark matter reservoirs, such as the Sun and the Galactic Centre, which could potentially produce a sizeable flux… ▽ More Indirect dark matter detection methods are used to observe the products of dark matter annihilations or decays originating from astrophysical objects where large amounts of dark matter are thought to accumulate. With neutrino telescopes, an excess of neutrinos is searched for in nearby dark matter reservoirs, such as the Sun and the Galactic Centre, which could potentially produce a sizeable flux of Standard Model particles. The KM3NeT infrastructure, currently under construction, comprises the ARCA and ORCA undersea Čerenkov neutrino detectors located at two different sites in the Mediterranean Sea, offshore of Italy and France, respectively. The two detector configurations are optimised for the detection of neutrinos of different energies, enabling the search for dark matter particles with masses ranging from a few GeV/c$^2$ to hundreds of TeV/c$^2$. In this work, searches for dark matter annihilations in the Galactic Centre and the Sun with data samples taken with the first configurations of both detectors are presented. No significant excess over the expected background was found in either of the two analyses. Limits on the velocity-averaged self-annihilation cross section of dark matter particles are computed for five different primary annihilation channels in the Galactic Centre. For the Sun, limits on the spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering cross sections of dark matter with nucleons are given for three annihilation channels. △ Less

Submitted 17 February, 2025; v1 submitted 15 November, 2024; originally announced November 2024.

gSeaGen code by KM3NeT: an efficient tool to propagate muons simulated with CORSIKA

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (238 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT Collaboration has tackled a common challenge faced by the astroparticle physics community, namely adapting the experiment-specific simulation software to work with the CORSIKA air shower simulation output. The proposed solution is an extension of the open source code gSeaGen, which allows the transport of muons generated by CORSIKA to a detector of any size at an arbitrary depth. The gS… ▽ More The KM3NeT Collaboration has tackled a common challenge faced by the astroparticle physics community, namely adapting the experiment-specific simulation software to work with the CORSIKA air shower simulation output. The proposed solution is an extension of the open source code gSeaGen, which allows the transport of muons generated by CORSIKA to a detector of any size at an arbitrary depth. The gSeaGen code was not only extended in terms of functionality but also underwent a thorough redesign of the muon propagation routine, resulting in a more accurate and efficient simulation. This paper presents the capabilities of the new gSeaGen code as well as prospects for further developments. △ Less

Submitted 29 April, 2025; v1 submitted 31 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 31 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in Computer Physics Communications

Journal ref: Computer Physics Communications Volume 314, September 2025, 109660

Search for quantum decoherence in neutrino oscillations with six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardacova, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit, E. Berbee , et al. (237 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Neutrinos described as an open quantum system may interact with the environment which introduces stochastic perturbations to their quantum phase. This mechanism leads to a loss of coherence along the propagation of the neutrino $-$ a phenomenon commonly referred to as decoherence $-$ and ultimately, to a modification of the oscillation probabilities. Fluctuations in space-time, as envisaged by var… ▽ More Neutrinos described as an open quantum system may interact with the environment which introduces stochastic perturbations to their quantum phase. This mechanism leads to a loss of coherence along the propagation of the neutrino $-$ a phenomenon commonly referred to as decoherence $-$ and ultimately, to a modification of the oscillation probabilities. Fluctuations in space-time, as envisaged by various theories of quantum gravity, are a potential candidate for a decoherence-inducing environment. Consequently, the search for decoherence provides a rare opportunity to investigate quantum gravitational effects which are usually beyond the reach of current experiments. In this work, quantum decoherence effects are searched for in neutrino data collected by the KM3NeT/ORCA detector from January 2020 to November 2021. The analysis focuses on atmospheric neutrinos within the energy range of a few GeV to $100\,\mathrm{GeV}$. Adopting the open quantum system framework, decoherence is described in a phenomenological manner with the strength of the effect given by the parameters $Γ_{21}$ and $Γ_{31}$. Following previous studies, a dependence of the type $Γ_{ij} \propto (E/E_0)^n$ on the neutrino energy is assumed and the cases $n = -2,-1$ are explored. No significant deviation with respect to the standard oscillation hypothesis is observed. Therefore, $90\,\%$ CL upper limits are estimated as $Γ_{21} < 4.6\cdot 10^{-21}\,$GeV and $Γ_{31} < 8.4\cdot 10^{-21}\,$GeV for $n = -2$, and $Γ_{21} < 1.9\cdot 10^{-22}\,$GeV and $Γ_{31} < 2.7\cdot 10^{-22}\,$GeV for $n = -1$, respectively. △ Less

Submitted 3 October, 2024; v1 submitted 2 October, 2024; originally announced October 2024.

Comments: 17 pages, 5 figures

Measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters with the first six detection units of KM3NeT/ORCA

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A. R. Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, D. M. Benoit , et al. (238 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: KM3NeT/ORCA is a water Cherenkov neutrino detector under construction and anchored at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The detector is designed to study oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos and determine the neutrino mass ordering. This paper focuses on an initial configuration of ORCA, referred to as ORCA6, which comprises six out of the foreseen 115 detection units of photo-sensors. A high-… ▽ More KM3NeT/ORCA is a water Cherenkov neutrino detector under construction and anchored at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The detector is designed to study oscillations of atmospheric neutrinos and determine the neutrino mass ordering. This paper focuses on an initial configuration of ORCA, referred to as ORCA6, which comprises six out of the foreseen 115 detection units of photo-sensors. A high-purity neutrino sample was extracted, corresponding to an exposure of 433 kton-years. The sample of 5828 neutrino candidates is analysed following a binned log-likelihood method in the reconstructed energy and cosine of the zenith angle. The atmospheric oscillation parameters are measured to be $\sin^2θ_{23}= 0.51^{+0.04}_{-0.05}$, and $ Δm^2_{31} = 2.18^{+0.25}_{-0.35}\times 10^{-3}~\mathrm{eV^2} \cup \{-2.25,-1.76\}\times 10^{-3}~\mathrm{eV^2}$ at 68\% CL. The inverted neutrino mass ordering hypothesis is disfavoured with a p-value of 0.25. △ Less

Submitted 4 October, 2024; v1 submitted 13 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 29 pages, 12 figures

Hysteresis loops in spinor BECs subject to synthetic gauge fields

Authors: Shuji Jia, Jintao Xu, Qian Jia, Haibo Qiu, Antonio Muñoz Mateo

Abstract: We explore the hysteretic dynamics of spinor Bose-Einstein condensates of ultracold atoms loaded in static 2D ring geometries and subjected to varying synthetic magnetic fields. Electrically neutral, pseudo-spin-$1/2$ condensates are probed by one-component weak-link potentials that make available paths for the transit of vortices into and out of the ring in both components, and thus can control t… ▽ More We explore the hysteretic dynamics of spinor Bose-Einstein condensates of ultracold atoms loaded in static 2D ring geometries and subjected to varying synthetic magnetic fields. Electrically neutral, pseudo-spin-$1/2$ condensates are probed by one-component weak-link potentials that make available paths for the transit of vortices into and out of the ring in both components, and thus can control the number of flux quanta threading the ring hole. For perpendicular fields, domain walls that are dynamically generated in the relative phase of the spin components are shown to play a key role in driving the hysteretic behaviour of the whole system through changes in the net magnetic flux. In the presence of spin-orbit-coupling, hysteresis is exhibited around the phase transitions found by the metastable current states for varying fields. △ Less

Submitted 7 August, 2024; originally announced August 2024.

Comments: 9 pages, 8 figures

Stellar Metallicities and Gradients in the Faint M31 Satellites Andromeda XVI and Andromeda XXVIII

Authors: Sal Wanying Fu, Daniel R. Weisz, Else Starkenburg, Nicolas Martin, Michelle L. M. Collins, Alessandro Savino, Michael Boylan-Kolchin, Patrick Côté, Andrew E. Dolphin, Nicolas Longeard, Mario L. Mateo, Francisco J. Mercado, Nathan R. Sandford, Evan D. Skillman

Abstract: We present $\sim300$ stellar metallicity measurements in two faint M31 dwarf galaxies, Andromeda XVI ($M_V = -7.5$) and Andromeda XXVIII ($M_V = -8.8$) derived using metallicity-sensitive Calcium H & K narrow-band Hubble Space Telescope imaging. These are the first individual stellar metallicities in And~XVI (95 stars). Our And~XXVIII sample (191 stars) is a factor of $\sim15$ increase over litera… ▽ More We present $\sim300$ stellar metallicity measurements in two faint M31 dwarf galaxies, Andromeda XVI ($M_V = -7.5$) and Andromeda XXVIII ($M_V = -8.8$) derived using metallicity-sensitive Calcium H & K narrow-band Hubble Space Telescope imaging. These are the first individual stellar metallicities in And~XVI (95 stars). Our And~XXVIII sample (191 stars) is a factor of $\sim15$ increase over literature metallicities. For And~XVI, we measure $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]}\rangle = -2.17^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$, $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}=0.33^{+0.07}_{-0.07}$, and $\nabla_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}} = -0.23\pm0.15$ dex $R_e^{-1}$. We find that And XVI is more metal-rich than MW UFDs of similar luminosity, which may be a result of its unusually extended star formation history. For And XXVIII, we measure $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]}\rangle = -1.95^{+0.04}_{-0.04}$, $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}=0.34^{+0.07}_{-0.07}$, and $\nabla_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}} = -0.46 \pm 0.10$~dex~$R_e^{-1}$, placing it on the dwarf galaxy mass-metallicity relation. Neither galaxy has a metallicity distribution function with an abrupt metal-rich truncation, suggesting that star formation fell off gradually. The stellar metallicity gradient measurements are among the first for faint ($L \lesssim 10^6~L_{\odot}$) galaxies outside the Milky Way halo. Both galaxies' gradients are consistent with predictions from the FIRE simulations, where an age-gradient strength relationship is the observational consequence of stellar feedback that produces dark matter cores. We include a catalog for community spectroscopic follow-up, including 19 extremely metal poor ($\mbox{[Fe/H]} < -3.0$) star candidates, which make up 7% of And~XVI's MDF and 6% of And~XXVIII's. △ Less

Submitted 5 July, 2024; originally announced July 2024.

Comments: 17 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, ApJ submitted; comments welcome!

Rotation and H$α$ emission in a young SMC cluster: a spectroscopic view of NGC 330

Authors: Paul I. Cristofari, Andrea K. Dupree, Antonino P. Milone, Matthew G. Walker, Mario Mateo, Aaron Dotter, John I. Bailey III

Abstract: We present an analysis of high-resolution optical spectra recorded for 30 stars of the split extended main-sequence turnoff (eMSTO) of the young ($\sim$ 40 Myr) Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) globular cluster NGC 330. Spectra were obtained with the M2FS and MIKE spectrographs located on the Magellan-Clay 6.5m telescope. These spectra revealed the presence of Be stars, occupying primarily the cool si… ▽ More We present an analysis of high-resolution optical spectra recorded for 30 stars of the split extended main-sequence turnoff (eMSTO) of the young ($\sim$ 40 Myr) Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) globular cluster NGC 330. Spectra were obtained with the M2FS and MIKE spectrographs located on the Magellan-Clay 6.5m telescope. These spectra revealed the presence of Be stars, occupying primarily the cool side of the split main sequence (MS). Rotational velocity ($v\sin{i}$) measurements for most of the targets are consistent with the presence of two populations of stars in the cluster: one made up of rapidly rotating Be stars ($<v\sin{i}> \approx 200$ $\rm km\,s^{-1}$), and {the other} consisting of warmer stars with slower rotation ($<\!v\sin{i}\!>\approx50$ $\rm km\,s^{-1}$). Core emission in the H$δ$ photospheric lines was observed for most of the H$α$ emitters. The shell parameter computed for the targets in our sample indicate that most of the observed stars should have inclinations below 75$^{\circ}$. These results confirm the detection of Be stars obtained through photometry, but also reveal the presence of narrow H$α$ and H$δ$ features for some targets that cannot be detected with low-resolution spectroscopy or photometry. Asymmetry variability of H$α$ line profiles on the timescales of a few years is also observed, and could provide information on the geometry of the decretion disks. Observations revealed the presence of nebular H$α$ emission, strong enough in faint targets to compromise the extraction of spectra and to impact narrow band photometry used to assess the presence of H$α$ emission. △ Less

Submitted 14 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 15 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

Spinor Bose-Einstein condensates subject to current-density interactions

Authors: Maria Arazo, Montserrat Guilleumas, Ricardo Mayol, Vicente Delgado, Antonio Muñoz Mateo

Abstract: Recently achieved chiral condensates open intriguing avenues for the study of the chiral properties induced by current-density interactions. An attempt to include these features in a spinor system is presented, which gives rise to a nonlinear, effective spin-orbit coupling that emerges from the differential orbital currents, along with constraints in the conserved quantities due to the linear coup… ▽ More Recently achieved chiral condensates open intriguing avenues for the study of the chiral properties induced by current-density interactions. An attempt to include these features in a spinor system is presented, which gives rise to a nonlinear, effective spin-orbit coupling that emerges from the differential orbital currents, along with constraints in the conserved quantities due to the linear coupling between spin components. Chirality pervades the resulting spectrum of stationary states and their dynamical stability, which are explored in plane waves, dark and bright solitons, and Josephson vortices. Our analytical and numerical results reveal the destabilizing role of polarization and Josephson currents, and support the existence of stable nonlinear states built of linear superpositions of plane waves. △ Less

Submitted 3 June, 2024; originally announced June 2024.

Comments: 10 pages, 13 figures

Design and implementation of a synchronous Hardware Performance Monitor for a RISC-V space-oriented processor

Authors: Miguel Jiménez Arribas, Agustín Martínez Hellín, Manuel Prieto Mateo, Iván Gamino del Río, Andrea Fernandez Gallego, Oscar Rodríguez Polo, Antonio da Silva, Pablo Parra, Sebastián Sánchez

Abstract: The ability to collect statistics about the execution of a program within a CPU is of the utmost importance across all fields of computing since it allows characterizing the timing performance of a program. This capability is even more relevant in safety-critical software systems, where it is mandatory to analyze software timing requirements to ensure the correct operation of the programs. Moreove… ▽ More The ability to collect statistics about the execution of a program within a CPU is of the utmost importance across all fields of computing since it allows characterizing the timing performance of a program. This capability is even more relevant in safety-critical software systems, where it is mandatory to analyze software timing requirements to ensure the correct operation of the programs. Moreover, in order to properly evaluate and verify the extra-functional properties of these systems, besides timing performance, there are many other statistics available on a CPU, such as those associated with resource utilization. In this paper, we showcase a Performance Measurement Unit, also known as Hardware Performance Monitor, integrated into a RISC-V On-Board Computer designed for space applications by our research group. The monitoring technique features a novel approach whereby the events triggered are not counted immediately but instead are propagated through the pipeline so that their annotation is synchronized with the executed instruction. Additionally, we demonstrate the use of this PMU in a process to characterize the execution model of the processor. Finally, as an example of the statistics provided by the PMU, the results obtained running the CoreMark and Dhrystone benchmarks on the RISC-V OBC are shown. △ Less

Submitted 8 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

ACM Class: B.8.2; C.1.1

Search for Neutrino Emission from GRB 221009A using the KM3NeT ARCA and ORCA detectors

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit , et al. (251 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Gamma-ray bursts are promising candidate sources of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. The recent GRB 221009A event, identified as the brightest gamma-ray burst ever detected, provides a unique opportunity to investigate hadronic emissions involving neutrinos. The KM3NeT undersea neutrino detectors participated in the worldwide follow-up effort triggered by the event, searching for neutrino even… ▽ More Gamma-ray bursts are promising candidate sources of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. The recent GRB 221009A event, identified as the brightest gamma-ray burst ever detected, provides a unique opportunity to investigate hadronic emissions involving neutrinos. The KM3NeT undersea neutrino detectors participated in the worldwide follow-up effort triggered by the event, searching for neutrino events. In this letter, we summarize subsequent searches, in a wide energy range from MeV up to a few PeVs. No neutrino events are found in any of the searches performed. Upper limits on the neutrino emission associated with GRB 221009A are computed. △ Less

Submitted 30 April, 2024; v1 submitted 8 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: 11 pages, 2 PDF figures. Submitted to JCAP

Toward Efficient Visual Gyroscopes: Spherical Moments, Harmonics Filtering, and Masking Techniques for Spherical Camera Applications

Authors: Yao Du, Carlos M. Mateo, Mirjana Maras, Tsun-Hsuan Wang, Marc Blanchon, Alexander Amini, Daniela Rus, Omar Tahri

Abstract: Unlike a traditional gyroscope, a visual gyroscope estimates camera rotation through images. The integration of omnidirectional cameras, offering a larger field of view compared to traditional RGB cameras, has proven to yield more accurate and robust results. However, challenges arise in situations that lack features, have substantial noise causing significant errors, and where certain features in… ▽ More Unlike a traditional gyroscope, a visual gyroscope estimates camera rotation through images. The integration of omnidirectional cameras, offering a larger field of view compared to traditional RGB cameras, has proven to yield more accurate and robust results. However, challenges arise in situations that lack features, have substantial noise causing significant errors, and where certain features in the images lack sufficient strength, leading to less precise prediction results. Here, we address these challenges by introducing a novel visual gyroscope, which combines an Efficient Multi-Mask-Filter Rotation Estimator(EMMFRE) and a Learning based optimization(LbTO) to provide a more efficient and accurate rotation estimation from spherical images. Experimental results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed approach in terms of accuracy. The paper emphasizes the advantages of integrating machine learning to optimize analytical solutions, discusses limitations, and suggests directions for future research. △ Less

Submitted 23 September, 2024; v1 submitted 2 April, 2024; originally announced April 2024.

Comments: Submitted to 2025 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2025)

Abundances of Neutron-Capture Elements in 62 Stars in the Globular Cluster Messier 15

Authors: Jonathan Cabrera Garcia, Charli M. Sakari, Ian U. Roederer, Donavon W. Evans, Pedro Silva, Mario Mateo, Ying-Yi Song, Anthony Kremin, John I. Bailey III, Matthew G. Walker

Abstract: M15 is a globular cluster with a known spread in neutron-capture elements. This paper presents abundances of neutron-capture elements for 62 stars in M15. Spectra were obtained with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) spectrograph, covering a wavelength range from ~4430-4630 A. Spectral lines from Fe I, Fe II, Sr I, Zr II, Ba II, La II, Ce II, Nd II, Sm II, Eu II, and Dy II, were measured, e… ▽ More M15 is a globular cluster with a known spread in neutron-capture elements. This paper presents abundances of neutron-capture elements for 62 stars in M15. Spectra were obtained with the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System (M2FS) spectrograph, covering a wavelength range from ~4430-4630 A. Spectral lines from Fe I, Fe II, Sr I, Zr II, Ba II, La II, Ce II, Nd II, Sm II, Eu II, and Dy II, were measured, enabling classifications and neutron-capture abundance patterns for the stars. Of the 62 targets, 44 are found to be highly Eu-enhanced r-II stars, another 17 are moderately Eu-enhanced r-I stars, and one star is found to have an s-process signature. The neutron-capture patterns indicate that the majority of the stars are consistent with enrichment by the r-process. The 62 target stars are found to show significant star-to-star spreads in Sr, Zr, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Dy, but no significant spread in Fe. The neutron-capture abundances are further found to have slight correlations with sodium abundances from the literature, unlike what has been previously found; follow-up studies are needed to verify this result. The findings in this paper suggest that the Eu-enhanced stars in M15 were enhanced by the same process, that the nucleosynthetic source of this Eu pollution was the r-process, and that the r-process source occurred as the first generation of cluster stars was forming. △ Less

Submitted 29 February, 2024; originally announced March 2024.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Astronomy potential of KM3NeT/ARCA

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardacová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, A. Baruzzi, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati , et al. (253 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT/ARCA neutrino detector is currently under construction at 3500 m depth offshore Capo Passero, Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. The main science objectives are the detection of high-energy cosmic neutrinos and the discovery of their sources. Simulations were conducted for the full KM3NeT/ARCA detector, instrumenting a volume of 1 km$^3$, to estimate the sensitivity and discovery potenti… ▽ More The KM3NeT/ARCA neutrino detector is currently under construction at 3500 m depth offshore Capo Passero, Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. The main science objectives are the detection of high-energy cosmic neutrinos and the discovery of their sources. Simulations were conducted for the full KM3NeT/ARCA detector, instrumenting a volume of 1 km$^3$, to estimate the sensitivity and discovery potential to point-like neutrino sources and an all-sky diffuse neutrino flux. This paper covers the reconstruction of track- and shower-like signatures, as well as the criteria employed for neutrino event selection. By leveraging both the track and shower observation channels, the KM3NeT/ARCA detector demonstrates the capability to detect the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux within half a year of operation, achieving a 5$σ$ statistical significance. With an angular resolution below 0.1$^\circ$ for tracks and under 2$^\circ$ for showers, the sensitivity to point-like neutrino sources surpasses existing observed limits across the entire sky. △ Less

Submitted 17 October, 2024; v1 submitted 13 February, 2024; originally announced February 2024.

Comments: 20 pages, 30 figures, Published by EPJ-C

Journal ref: Eur. Phys. J. C 84, 885 (2024)

Driving factors behind multiple populations

Authors: Ruoyun Huang, Baitian Tang, Chengyuan Li, Doug Geisler, Mario Mateo, Ying-Yi Song, Holger Baumgardt, Julio A. Carballo-Bello, Yue Wang, Jundan Nie, Bruno Dias, José G. Fernández-Trincado

Abstract: Star clusters were historically considered simple stellar populations, with all stars sharing the same age and initial chemical composition. However, the presence of chemical anomalies in globular clusters (GCs), called multiple stellar populations (MPs), has challenged star formation theories in dense environments. Literature studies show that mass, metallicity, and age are likely controlling par… ▽ More Star clusters were historically considered simple stellar populations, with all stars sharing the same age and initial chemical composition. However, the presence of chemical anomalies in globular clusters (GCs), called multiple stellar populations (MPs), has challenged star formation theories in dense environments. Literature studies show that mass, metallicity, and age are likely controlling parameters for the manifestation of MPs. Identifying the limit between clusters with/without MPs in physical parameter space is crucial to reveal the driving mechanism behind their presence. In this study, we look for MP signals in Whiting 1, traditionally considered a young GC. Using the Magellan telescope, we obtained low-resolution spectra within $\rm λλ= 3850-5500 Å$ for eight giants of Whiting 1. We measured the C and N abundances from the CN and CH spectral indices. C and N abundances have variations comparable with their measurement errors ($\sim0.1$ dex), suggesting that MPs are absent from Whiting 1. Combining these findings with literature studies, we propose a limit in the metallicity vs. cluster compactness index parameter space, which relatively clearly separates star clusters with/without MPs (GCs/open clusters). This limit is physically motivated. On a larger scale, the galactic environment determines cluster compactness and metallicity, leading to metal-rich, diffuse, old clusters formed ex situ. Our proposed limit also impacts our understanding of the formation of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy: star clusters formed after the first starburst (age$\lesssim 8-10$ Gyr). These clusters are simple stellar populations because the enriched galactic environment is no longer suitable for MP formation. △ Less

Submitted 30 January, 2024; originally announced January 2024.

Comments: 11 pages, 4 figures, SCPMA accepted

Superfluid rings as quantum pendulums

Authors: Antonio Muñoz Mateo, Grigory E. Astrakharchik, Bruno Juliá-Díaz

Abstract: A feasible experimental proposal to realize a non-dispersive quantum pendulum is presented. The proposed setup consists of an ultracold atomic cloud, featuring attractive interatomic interactions, loaded into a tilted ring potential. The classical and quantum domains are switched on by tuned interactions, and the classical dynamical stabilization of unstable states, i.e. {\it a la} Kapitza, is sho… ▽ More A feasible experimental proposal to realize a non-dispersive quantum pendulum is presented. The proposed setup consists of an ultracold atomic cloud, featuring attractive interatomic interactions, loaded into a tilted ring potential. The classical and quantum domains are switched on by tuned interactions, and the classical dynamical stabilization of unstable states, i.e. {\it a la} Kapitza, is shown to be driven by quantum phase imprinting. The potential use of this system as a gravimeter is discussed. △ Less

Submitted 26 January, 2024; v1 submitted 23 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 8 pages

Magellan/M2FS and MMT/Hectochelle Spectroscopy of Dwarf Galaxies and Faint Star Clusters within the Galactic Halo

Authors: Matthew G. Walker, Nelson Caldwell, Mario Mateo, Edward W. Olszewski, Andrew B. Pace, John I. Bailey III, Sergey E. Koposov, Ian U. Roederer

Abstract: We present spectroscopic data for 16369 stellar targets within and/or toward 38 dwarf spheroidal galaxies and faint star clusters within the Milky Way halo environment. All spectra come from observations with the multi-object, fiber-fed echelle spectrographs M2FS at the Magellan/Clay telescope or Hectochelle at the MMT, reaching a typical limiting magnitude G < 21. Data products include processed… ▽ More We present spectroscopic data for 16369 stellar targets within and/or toward 38 dwarf spheroidal galaxies and faint star clusters within the Milky Way halo environment. All spectra come from observations with the multi-object, fiber-fed echelle spectrographs M2FS at the Magellan/Clay telescope or Hectochelle at the MMT, reaching a typical limiting magnitude G < 21. Data products include processed spectra from all observations and catalogs listing estimates -- derived from template model fitting -- of line-of-sight velocity (median uncertainty 1.1 km/s) effective temperature (234 K), (base10 logarithm of) surface gravity (0.52 dex in cgs units), [Fe/H] (0.38 dex) and [Mg/Fe] (0.24 dex) abundance ratios. The sample contains multi-epoch measurements for 3720 sources, with up to 15 epochs per source, enabling studies of intrinsic spectroscopic variability. The sample contains 6078 likely red giant stars (based on surface gravity), and 4494 likely members (based on line-of-sight velocity and Gaia-measured proper motion) of the target systems. The number of member stars per individual target system ranges from a few, for the faintest systems, to ~ 850 for the most luminous. For most systems, our new samples extend over wider fields than have previously been observed; of the likely members in our samples, 823 lie beyond twice the projected halflight radius of their host system, and 42 lie beyond 5 Rhalf. △ Less

Submitted 19 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: Published September 2023 in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, processed spectra and catalogs publicly available at the Zenodo database doi:10.5281/zenodo.7837922

Journal ref: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2023, Volume 268, Issue 1, id.19, 40 pp

Stellar Metallicities and Gradients in the Isolated, Quenched Low-Mass Galaxy Tucana

Authors: Sal Wanying Fu, Daniel R. Weisz, Else Starkenburg, Nicolas Martin, Francisco J. Mercado, Alessandro Savino, Michael Boylan-Kolchin, Patrick Côté, Andrew E. Dolphin, Nicolas Longeard, Mario L. Mateo, Jenna Samuel, Nathan R. Sandford

Abstract: We measure the metallicities of 374 red giant branch (RGB) stars in the isolated, quenched dwarf galaxy Tucana using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) narrow-band (F395N) Calcium H & K (CaHK) imaging. Our sample is a factor of $\sim7$ larger than what is published. Our main findings are: (i) A global metallicity distribution function (MDF) with $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]} \rangle = -1.55 \pm 0.04$ and… ▽ More We measure the metallicities of 374 red giant branch (RGB) stars in the isolated, quenched dwarf galaxy Tucana using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) narrow-band (F395N) Calcium H & K (CaHK) imaging. Our sample is a factor of $\sim7$ larger than what is published. Our main findings are: (i) A global metallicity distribution function (MDF) with $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]} \rangle = -1.55 \pm 0.04$ and $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}=0.54\pm0.03$; (ii) A metallicity gradient of $-0.54 \pm 0.07$ dex $R_e^{-1}$ ($-2.1 \pm 0.3$ dex kpc$^{-1}$) over the extent of our imaging ($\sim 2.5 R_e$), which is steeper than literature measurements. Our finding is consistent with predicted gradients from the publicly-available FIRE-2 simulations, in which bursty star formation creates stellar population gradients and dark matter cores; (iii) Tucana's bifurcated RGB has distinct metallicities: a blue RGB with $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]} \rangle = -1.78 \pm 0.06$ and $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}=0.44^{+0.07}_{-0.06}$, and a red RGB with $\langle \mbox{[Fe/H]} \rangle = -1.08 \pm 0.07$ and $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}=0.42 \pm 0.06$; (iv) At fixed stellar mass, Tucana is more MR than MW satellites by $\sim 0.4$ dex, but its blue RGB is chemically comparable to the satellites. Tucana's MDF appears consistent with star-forming isolated dwarfs, though MDFs of the latter are not as well-populated; (v) $\sim2$% of Tucana's stars have $\mbox{[Fe/H]} < -3$ and 20% $\mbox{[Fe/H]} > -1$. We provide a catalog for community spectroscopic follow-up. △ Less

Submitted 17 April, 2024; v1 submitted 10 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: Replaced with ApJ published version; 23 pages, 18 figures

New dwarf galaxy candidates in the sphere of influence of the Sombrero galaxy

Authors: Ethan Crosby, Helmut Jerjen, Oliver Müller, Marcel S. Pawlowski, Mario Mateo, Federico Lelli

Abstract: We report the discovery of 40 new satellite dwarf galaxy candidates in the sphere of influence of the Sombrero galaxy (M104) the most luminous galaxy in the Local Volume. Using the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam, we surveyed 14.4 square degrees of its surroundings, extending to the virial radius. Visual inspection of the deep images and GALFIT modelling yielded a galaxy sample highly complete down to… ▽ More We report the discovery of 40 new satellite dwarf galaxy candidates in the sphere of influence of the Sombrero galaxy (M104) the most luminous galaxy in the Local Volume. Using the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam, we surveyed 14.4 square degrees of its surroundings, extending to the virial radius. Visual inspection of the deep images and GALFIT modelling yielded a galaxy sample highly complete down to $M_{g}\sim-9$ ($L_{g}\sim3\times 10^{5}\,L_\odot$) and spanning magnitudes $-16.4 < M_g < -8$ and half-light radii $50\,pc\ <\ r_e\ <\ 1600\,pc$ assuming the distance of M104. These 40 new, out of which 27 are group members with high confidence, double the number of potential satellites of M104 within the virial radius, placing it among the richest hosts in the Local Volume. Using a Principle Component Analysis (PCA), we find that the entire sample of candidates consistent with an almost circular on-sky distribution, more circular than any comparable environment found in the Illustris TNG100-1 simulation. However the distribution of the high probability sample is more oblate and consistent with the simulation. The cumulative satellite luminosity function is broadly consistent with analogues from the simulation, albeit it contains no bright satellite with $M_{g}<-16.4$ ($L_{g}\sim3 \times 10^{8}\,L_\odot$), a $2.3\,σ$ occurrence. Follow-up spectroscopy to confirm group membership will begin to demonstrate how these systems can act as probes of the structure and formation history of the halo of M104. △ Less

Submitted 6 December, 2023; originally announced December 2023.

Comments: 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted to MNRAS

The Power Board of the KM3NeT Digital Optical Module: design, upgrade, and production

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardacova, B. Baret, A. Bariego Quintana, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit , et al. (259 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT Collaboration is building an underwater neutrino observatory at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea consisting of two neutrino telescopes, both composed of a three-dimensional array of light detectors, known as digital optical modules. Each digital optical module contains a set of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes distributed over the surface of a 0.44 m diameter pressure-resistant gl… ▽ More The KM3NeT Collaboration is building an underwater neutrino observatory at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea consisting of two neutrino telescopes, both composed of a three-dimensional array of light detectors, known as digital optical modules. Each digital optical module contains a set of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes distributed over the surface of a 0.44 m diameter pressure-resistant glass sphere. The module includes also calibration instruments and electronics for power, readout and data acquisition. The power board was developed to supply power to all the elements of the digital optical module. The design of the power board began in 2013, and several prototypes were produced and tested. After an exhaustive validation process in various laboratories within the KM3NeT Collaboration, a mass production batch began, resulting in the construction of over 1200 power boards so far. These boards were integrated in the digital optical modules that have already been produced and deployed, 828 until October 2023. In 2017, an upgrade of the power board, to increase reliability and efficiency, was initiated. After the validation of a pre-production series, a production batch of 800 upgraded boards is currently underway. This paper describes the design, architecture, upgrade, validation, and production of the power board, including the reliability studies and tests conducted to ensure the safe operation at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea throughout the observatory's lifespan △ Less

Submitted 24 November, 2023; originally announced November 2023.

Searches for neutrino counterparts of gravitational waves from the LIGO/Virgo third observing run with KM3NeT

Authors: KM3NeT Collaboration, S. Aiello, A. Albert, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit , et al. (251 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT neutrino telescope is currently being deployed at two different sites in the Mediterranean Sea. First searches for astrophysical neutrinos have been performed using data taken with the partial detector configuration already in operation. The paper presents the results of two independent searches for neutrinos from compact binary mergers detected during the third observing run of the LIG… ▽ More The KM3NeT neutrino telescope is currently being deployed at two different sites in the Mediterranean Sea. First searches for astrophysical neutrinos have been performed using data taken with the partial detector configuration already in operation. The paper presents the results of two independent searches for neutrinos from compact binary mergers detected during the third observing run of the LIGO and Virgo gravitational wave interferometers. The first search looks for a global increase in the detector counting rates that could be associated with inverse beta decay events generated by MeV-scale electron anti-neutrinos. The second one focuses on upgoing track-like events mainly induced by muon (anti-)neutrinos in the GeV--TeV energy range. Both searches yield no significant excess for the sources in the gravitational wave catalogs. For each source, upper limits on the neutrino flux and on the total energy emitted in neutrinos in the respective energy ranges have been set. Stacking analyses of binary black hole mergers and neutron star-black hole mergers have also been performed to constrain the characteristic neutrino emission from these categories. △ Less

Submitted 7 May, 2024; v1 submitted 7 November, 2023; originally announced November 2023.

Comments: 19 pages, 11 figures

Journal ref: JCAP 04 (2024) 026

Prospects for combined analyses of hadronic emission from $γ$-ray sources in the Milky Way with CTA and KM3NeT

Authors: T. Unbehaun, L. Mohrmann, S. Funk, S. Aiello, A. Albert, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anghinolfi, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, C. Bagatelas, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman , et al. (249 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The Cherenkov Telescope Array and the KM3NeT neutrino telescopes are major upcoming facilities in the fields of $γ$-ray and neutrino astronomy, respectively. Possible simultaneous production of $γ$ rays and neutrinos in astrophysical accelerators of cosmic-ray nuclei motivates a combination of their data. We assess the potential of a combined analysis of CTA and KM3NeT data to determine the contri… ▽ More The Cherenkov Telescope Array and the KM3NeT neutrino telescopes are major upcoming facilities in the fields of $γ$-ray and neutrino astronomy, respectively. Possible simultaneous production of $γ$ rays and neutrinos in astrophysical accelerators of cosmic-ray nuclei motivates a combination of their data. We assess the potential of a combined analysis of CTA and KM3NeT data to determine the contribution of hadronic emission processes in known Galactic $γ$-ray emitters, comparing this result to the cases of two separate analyses. In doing so, we demonstrate the capability of Gammapy, an open-source software package for the analysis of $γ$-ray data, to also process data from neutrino telescopes. For a selection of prototypical $γ$-ray sources within our Galaxy, we obtain models for primary proton and electron spectra in the hadronic and leptonic emission scenario, respectively, by fitting published $γ$-ray spectra. Using these models and instrument response functions for both detectors, we employ the Gammapy package to generate pseudo data sets, where we assume 200 hours of CTA observations and 10 years of KM3NeT detector operation. We then apply a three-dimensional binned likelihood analysis to these data sets, separately for each instrument and jointly for both. We find that the largest benefit of the combined analysis lies in the possibility of a consistent modelling of the $γ$-ray and neutrino emission. Assuming a purely leptonic scenario as input, we obtain, for the most favourable source, an average expected 68% credible interval that constrains the contribution of hadronic processes to the observed $γ$-ray emission to below 15%. △ Less

Submitted 2 February, 2024; v1 submitted 6 September, 2023; originally announced September 2023.

Comments: 20 pages, 16 figures. v2: Matches version published in EPJC

Journal ref: European Physical Journal C 84, 112 (2024)

Fast rotating Blue Straggler Stars in the Globular Cluster NGC3201

Authors: Alex Billi, Francesco R. Ferraro, Alessio Mucciarelli, Barbara Lanzoni, Mario Cadelano, Lorenzo Monaco, Mario Mateo, John I. Bailey III, Megan Reiter, Edward W. Olszewski

Abstract: We used high resolution spectra acquired at the Magellan Telescope to measure radial and rotational velocities of approximately 200 stars in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 3201. The surveyed sample includes Blue Stragglers Stars (BSSs) and reference stars in different evolutionary stages (main sequence turn-off, sub-giant, red giant and asymptotic giant branches). The average radial velocity va… ▽ More We used high resolution spectra acquired at the Magellan Telescope to measure radial and rotational velocities of approximately 200 stars in the Galactic globular cluster NGC 3201. The surveyed sample includes Blue Stragglers Stars (BSSs) and reference stars in different evolutionary stages (main sequence turn-off, sub-giant, red giant and asymptotic giant branches). The average radial velocity value ($\langle V_r\rangle = 494.5 \pm 0.5$ km s$^{-1}$) confirms a large systemic velocity for this cluster and was used to distinguish 33 residual field interlopers. The final sample of member stars counts 67 BSSs and 114 reference stars. Similarly to what is found in other clusters, the totality of the reference stars has negligible rotation ($<20$ km s$^{-1}$), while the BSS rotational velocity distribution shows a long tail extending up to $\sim 200$ km s$^{-1}$, with 19 BSSs (out of 67) spinning faster than 40 km s$^{-1}$. This sets the percentage of fast rotating BSSs to $\sim 28\%$. Such a percentage is roughly comparable to that measured in other loose systems ($ω$ Centauri, M4 and M55) and significantly larger than that measured in high-density clusters (as 47 Tucanae, NGC 6397, NGC 6752 and M30). This evidence supports a scenario where recent BSS formation (mainly from the evolution of binary systems) is occurring in low-density environments. We also find that the BSS rotational velocity tends to decrease for decreasing luminosity and surface temperature, similarly to what is observed in main sequence stars. Hence, further investigations are needed to understand the impact of BSS internal structure on the observed rotational velocities. △ Less

Submitted 4 September, 2023; originally announced September 2023.

Comments: Accepted for pubblication in ApJ: 14 pages, 10 figures

Embedded Software of the KM3NeT Central Logic Board

Authors: S. Aiello, A. Albert, S. Alves Garre, Z. Aly, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, E. Androutsou, M. Anghinolfi, M. Anguita, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid, H. Atmani, J. Aublin, C. Bagatelas, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, S. Basegmez du Pree, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, F. Benfenati, M. Benhassi, D. M. Benoit , et al. (249 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The KM3NeT Collaboration is building and operating two deep sea neutrino telescopes at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The telescopes consist of latices of photomultiplier tubes housed in pressure-resistant glass spheres, called digital optical modules and arranged in vertical detection units. The two main scientific goals are the determination of the neutrino mass ordering and the discovery… ▽ More The KM3NeT Collaboration is building and operating two deep sea neutrino telescopes at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. The telescopes consist of latices of photomultiplier tubes housed in pressure-resistant glass spheres, called digital optical modules and arranged in vertical detection units. The two main scientific goals are the determination of the neutrino mass ordering and the discovery and observation of high-energy neutrino sources in the Universe. Neutrinos are detected via the Cherenkov light, which is induced by charged particles originated in neutrino interactions. The photomultiplier tubes convert the Cherenkov light into electrical signals that are acquired and timestamped by the acquisition electronics. Each optical module houses the acquisition electronics for collecting and timestamping the photomultiplier signals with one nanosecond accuracy. Once finished, the two telescopes will have installed more than six thousand optical acquisition nodes, completing one of the more complex networks in the world in terms of operation and synchronization. The embedded software running in the acquisition nodes has been designed to provide a framework that will operate with different hardware versions and functionalities. The hardware will not be accessible once in operation, which complicates the embedded software architecture. The embedded software provides a set of tools to facilitate remote manageability of the deployed hardware, including safe reconfiguration of the firmware. This paper presents the architecture and the techniques, methods and implementation of the embedded software running in the acquisition nodes of the KM3NeT neutrino telescopes. △ Less

Submitted 12 October, 2023; v1 submitted 2 August, 2023; originally announced August 2023.

Chiral currents in Bose-Einstein condensates subject to current-density interactions

Authors: Maria Arazo, Montserrat Guilleumas, Ricardo Mayol, Vicente Delgado, Antonio Muñoz Mateo

Abstract: Persistent currents in quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates become chiral in the presence of current-density interactions. This phenomenon is explored in ultracold atoms loaded in a rotating ring geometry, where diverse current-carrying stationary states are analytically found to generalize previously known solutions to the mean-field equations of motion. Their dynamical stability is te… ▽ More Persistent currents in quasi-one-dimensional Bose-Einstein condensates become chiral in the presence of current-density interactions. This phenomenon is explored in ultracold atoms loaded in a rotating ring geometry, where diverse current-carrying stationary states are analytically found to generalize previously known solutions to the mean-field equations of motion. Their dynamical stability is tested by numerical simulations that show stable currents for states with both constant and modulated density profiles, while decaying currents appear only beyond a unidirectional velocity threshold. Recent experiments in the field make these states within experimental reach. △ Less

Submitted 20 July, 2023; originally announced July 2023.

Comments: 8 pages, 6 figures

Abundance Analysis of Stars at Large Radius in the Sextans Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy

Authors: Ian U. Roederer, Andrew B. Pace, Vinicius M. Placco, Nelson Caldwell, Sergey E. Koposov, Mario Mateo, Edward W. Olszewski, Matthew G. Walker

Abstract: We present stellar parameters and chemical abundances of 30 elements for five stars located at large radii (3.5-10.7 times the half-light radius) in the Sextans dwarf spheroidal galaxy. We selected these stars using proper motions, radial velocities, and metallicities, and we confirm them as metal-poor members of Sextans with -3.34 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.64 using high-resolution optical spectra collected… ▽ More We present stellar parameters and chemical abundances of 30 elements for five stars located at large radii (3.5-10.7 times the half-light radius) in the Sextans dwarf spheroidal galaxy. We selected these stars using proper motions, radial velocities, and metallicities, and we confirm them as metal-poor members of Sextans with -3.34 <= [Fe/H] <= -2.64 using high-resolution optical spectra collected with the Magellan Inamori Kyocera Echelle spectrograph. Four of the five stars exhibit normal abundances of C (-0.34 <= [C/Fe] <= +0.36), mild enhancement of the alpha elements Mg, Si, Ca, and Ti ([alpha/Fe] = +0.12 +/- 0.03), and unremarkable abundances of Na, Al, K, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn. We identify three chemical signatures previously unknown among stars in Sextans. One star exhibits large overabundances ([X/Fe] > +1.2) of C, N, O, Na, Mg, Si, and K, and large deficiencies of heavy elements ([Sr/Fe] = -2.37 +/- 0.25, [Ba/Fe] = -1.45 +/- 0.20, [Eu/Fe] < +0.05), establishing it as a member of the class of carbon-enhanced metal-poor stars with no enhancement of neutron-capture elements. Three stars exhibit moderate enhancements of Eu (+0.17 <= [Eu/Fe] <= +0.70), and the abundance ratios among 12 neutron-capture elements are indicative of r-process nucleosynthesis. Another star is highly enhanced in Sr relative to heavier elements ([Sr/Ba] = +1.21 +/- 0.25). These chemical signatures can all be attributed to massive, low-metallicity stars or their end states. Our results, the first for stars at large radius in Sextans, demonstrate that these stars were formed in chemically inhomogeneous regions, such as those found in ultra-faint dwarf galaxies. △ Less

Submitted 5 July, 2023; originally announced July 2023.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (22 pages, 6 figures, 1 machine-readable table)

Investigating the Dark Matter Halo of NGC 5128 using a Discrete Dynamical Model

Authors: Antoine Dumont, Anil C. Seth, Jay Strader, David J. Sand, Karina Voggel, Allison K. Hughes, Denija Crnojević, Duncan A. Forbes, Mario Mateo, Sarah Pearson

Abstract: As the nearest accessible massive early-type galaxy, NGC 5128 presents an exceptional opportunity to measure dark matter halo parameters for a representative elliptical galaxy. Here we take advantage of rich new observational datasets of large-radius tracers to perform dynamical modeling of NGC 5128, using a discrete axisymmetric anisotropic Jeans approach with a total tracer population of nearly… ▽ More As the nearest accessible massive early-type galaxy, NGC 5128 presents an exceptional opportunity to measure dark matter halo parameters for a representative elliptical galaxy. Here we take advantage of rich new observational datasets of large-radius tracers to perform dynamical modeling of NGC 5128, using a discrete axisymmetric anisotropic Jeans approach with a total tracer population of nearly 1800 planetary nebulae, globular clusters, and dwarf satellite galaxies extending to a projected distance of $\sim250$ kpc from the galaxy center. We find that a standard NFW halo provides an excellent fit to nearly all the data, excepting a subset of the planetary nebulae that appear to be out of virial equilibrium. The best-fit dark matter halo has a virial mass of ${\rm M}_{vir}=4.4^{+2.4}_{-1.4}\times10^{12} {\rm M}_{\odot}$, and NGC 5128 appears to sit below the mean stellar mass--halo mass and globular cluster mass--halo mass relations, which both predict a halo virial mass closer to ${\rm M}_{vir} \sim 10^{13} {\rm M}_{\odot}$. The inferred NFW virial concentration is $c_{vir}=5.6^{+2.4}_{-1.6}$, nominally lower than $c_{vir} \sim 9$ predicted from published $c_{vir}$--${\rm M}_{vir}$ relations, but within the $\sim 30\%$ scatter found in simulations. The best-fit dark matter halo constitutes only $\sim10\%$ of the total mass at 1 effective radius but $\sim50\%$ at 5 effective radii. The derived halo parameters are relatively insensitive to reasonable variations in the tracer population considered, tracer anisotropies, and system inclination. Our analysis highlights the value of comprehensive dynamical modeling of nearby galaxies, and the importance of using multiple tracers to allow cross-checks for model robustness. △ Less

Submitted 20 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: Submitted to A&A on 20.06.2023

Journal ref: A&A 685, A132 (2024)

Gap solitons and nonlinear Bloch states in Bose-Einstein condensates with current-dependent interactions

Authors: Jintao Xu, Qian Jia, Haibo Qiu, Antonio Muñoz Mateo

Abstract: We show how the chiral properties of Bose Einstein condensates subject to current-density interactions and loaded in optical lattices can be observed in the realization of nonlinear Bloch states, whose spectrum lacks the usual periodic structure. Chirality is also manifested by spatially localized states, or gap solitons, which are found for positive rotation rates of the lattice at the energy gap… ▽ More We show how the chiral properties of Bose Einstein condensates subject to current-density interactions and loaded in optical lattices can be observed in the realization of nonlinear Bloch states, whose spectrum lacks the usual periodic structure. Chirality is also manifested by spatially localized states, or gap solitons, which are found for positive rotation rates of the lattice at the energy gaps between the linear energy bands, whereas for negative rotations they appear in the semi-infinite gap of the linear spectrum. The stability of extended and localized states is checked through the spectrum of linear excitations and nonlinear time evolution of perturbed states, and the phenomenon of Bloch oscillations is explored. Our results are obtained in quasi 1D ring geometries with feasible experimental parameters. △ Less

Submitted 20 October, 2023; v1 submitted 18 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: 8 pages, 6 figures

Metallicity Distribution Functions of 13 Ultra-Faint Dwarf Galaxy Candidates from Hubble Space Telescope Narrowband Imaging

Authors: Sal Wanying Fu, Daniel R. Weisz, Else Starkenburg, Nicolas Martin, Alessandro Savino, Michael Boylan-Kolchin, Patrick Cote, Andrew E. Dolphin, Alexander P. Ji, Nicolas Longeard, Mario L. Mateo, Ekta Patel, Nathan R. Sandford

Abstract: We present uniformly measured stellar metallicities for 463 stars in 13 Milky Way (MW) ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs; $M_V = -7.1$ to $-0.8$) using narrowband CaHK (F395N) imaging taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This represents the largest homogeneous set of stellar metallicities in UFDs, increasing the number of metallicities in these 13 galaxies by a factor of 5 and doubling the… ▽ More We present uniformly measured stellar metallicities for 463 stars in 13 Milky Way (MW) ultra-faint dwarf galaxies (UFDs; $M_V = -7.1$ to $-0.8$) using narrowband CaHK (F395N) imaging taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). This represents the largest homogeneous set of stellar metallicities in UFDs, increasing the number of metallicities in these 13 galaxies by a factor of 5 and doubling the number of metallicities in all known MW UFDs. We provide the first well-populated MDFs for all galaxies in this sample, with [Fe/H] ranging from -3.0 dex to -2.0 dex, and $σ_{\mbox{[Fe/H]}}$ ranging from 0.3 dex to 0.7 dex. We find a nearly constant [Fe/H] ~ -2.6 over 3 decades in luminosity (~$10^2 - 10^5 L_{\odot}$), suggesting that the mass-metallicity relationship does not hold for such faint systems. We find a larger fraction (24%) of EMP ([Fe/H]<-3.0) stars across our sample compared to the literature (14%), but note that uncertainties in our most metal-poor measurements make this an upper limit. We find 19% of stars in our UFD sample to be metal-rich ([Fe/H]>-2.0), consistent with the sum of literature spectroscopic studies. MW UFDs are known to be predominantly >13 Gyr old, meaning that all stars in our sample are truly ancient, unlike metal-poor stars in the MW, which have a range of possible ages. Our UFD metallicities are not well-matched to known streams in the MW, providing further evidence that known MW substructures are not related to UFDs. We include a catalog of our stars to encourage community follow-up studies, including priority targets for ELT-era observations. △ Less

Submitted 22 November, 2023; v1 submitted 9 June, 2023; originally announced June 2023.

Comments: 37 pages, 20 figures, ApJ accepted and published

Journal ref: ApJ 958 167 (2023)

Fast rotating Blue Stragglers prefer loose clusters

Authors: Francesco R. Ferraro, Alessio Mucciarelli, Barbara Lanzoni, Cristina Pallanca, Mario Cadelano, Alex Billi, Alison Sills, Enrico Vesperini, Emanuele Dalessandro, Giacomo Beccari, Lorenzo Monaco, Mario Mateo

Abstract: Blue stragglers are anomalously luminous core hydrogen-burning stars formed through mass-transfer in binary/triple systems and stellar collisions. Their physical and evolutionary properties are largely unknown and unconstrained. Here we analyze 320 high-resolution spectra of blue stragglers collected in eight galactic globular clusters with different structural characteristics and show evidence th… ▽ More Blue stragglers are anomalously luminous core hydrogen-burning stars formed through mass-transfer in binary/triple systems and stellar collisions. Their physical and evolutionary properties are largely unknown and unconstrained. Here we analyze 320 high-resolution spectra of blue stragglers collected in eight galactic globular clusters with different structural characteristics and show evidence that the fraction of fast rotating blue stragglers (with rotational velocities larger than 40 km/s) increases for decreasing central density of the host system. This trend suggests that fast spinning blue stragglers prefer low-density environments and promises to open an unexplored route towards understanding the evolutionary processes of these stars. Since large rotation rates are expected in the early stages of both formation channels, our results provide direct evidence for recent blue straggler formation activity in low-density environments and put strong constraints on the timescale of the collisional blue straggler slow-down processes. △ Less

Submitted 15 May, 2023; originally announced May 2023.

Comments: Published in Nature Communications

Journal ref: Nature Communications 14, 2584 (2023)