Shin'ichirou Yoshida

SMALL-SCALE ANISOTROPY OF COSMIC RAYS ABOVE 1019 EV OBSERVED WITH THE AKENO GIANT AIR SHOWER ARRAY

With the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array, 581 cosmic rays above 1019 eV, 47 above 4 ) 1019 eV, and seven above 1020 eV were observed until 1998 August. The arrival direction distribution of these extremely high energy cosmic rays has been studied. While no signi—cant large-scale anisotropy is found on the celestial sphere, some interesting clusters of cosmic rays are observed. Above 4 ) 1019 eV, there are one triplet and three doublets within a separation angle of and the probability of observing 2i.5, these clusters by a chance coincidence under an isotropic distribution is smaller than 1%. The triplet is especially observed against expected 0.05 events. The distribution expected from the dark cos (h GC ) matter halo model —ts the data as well as an isotropic distribution above 2 ) 1019 and 4 ) 1019 eV, but the —t with the dark matter halo model is poorer than the isotropic distribution above 1019 eV. The arrival direction distribution of seven 1020 eV cosmic rays is consistent with that of lower energy cosmic rays and is uniform. Three of the seven are members of doublets above about 4 ) 1019 eV. Subject headings: cosmic raysgalaxies: generalGalaxy: halolarge-scale structure of universe

A new simple model for high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations in black hole candidates

Observations of X-ray emissions from binary systems have long since been considered important tools to test general relativity in strong-field regimes. The high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HFQPOs) observed in binaries containing a black hole candidate, in particular, have been proposed as a means to measure more directly the properties of the black hole, such as its mass and spin. Numerous models have been suggested to explain the HFQPOs and the rich phenomenology accompanying them. Many of these models rest on a number of assumptions and are at times in conflict with the most recent observations. We here propose a new, simple model in which the HFQPOs result from basic p-mode oscillations of a small accretion torus orbiting close to the black hole. We show that within this model the key properties of the HFQPOs can be explained simply, given a single reasonable assumption. We also discuss observational tests that can refute the model.

Oscillations of vertically integrated relativistic tori – I. Axisymmetric modes in a Schwarzschild space-time

This is the first of a series of papers investigating the oscillation properties of relativistic, non-self-gravitating tori orbiting around a black hole. In this initial paper we consider the axisymmetric oscillation modes of a torus constructed in a Schwarzschild space-time. To simplify the treatment and make it as analytical as possible, we build our tori with vertically integrated and vertically averaged quantities, thus transforming the eigenvalue problem into a set of coupled ordinary differential equations. The tori are also modelled with a number of different non-Keplerian distributions of specific angular momentum, and we discuss how the oscillation properties change when different distributions of angular momentum are considered. Our investigation progresses by steps. We first consider a local analysis in Newtonian gravity and determine the properties of acoustic wave propagation within these objects, as well as the relations between acoustic and epicyclic oscillations. Next, we extend the local analysis to a general relativistic framework. Finally, we perform a global analysis and determine both the eigenfunctions and the eigenfrequencies of the axisymmetric oscillations corresponding to the p modes of relativistic tori. These behave as sound waves globally trapped in the torus and possess eigenfrequencies appearing in the simple sequence 2:3:4:..., independently of the distribution of angular momentum considered. The properties of the modes investigated here are in good agreement with those observed in recent numerical simulations, and could have a number of different applications. In X-ray binary systems containing a black hole candidate, for instance, p-mode oscillations could be used to explain the harmonic relations in the high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations observed. In systems comprising a massive torus orbiting a black hole, on the other hand, p-mode oscillations could be used to explain the development or the suppression of the runaway instability.

Observations of TeV Gamma-Ray Flares from Markarian 501with the Telescope Array Prototype

We will report the observations of TeV gamma ray flares from Markarian 501 using Telescope Array Prototype. The observation were carried out continuously from the end of March to the end of July in 1997. The energy spectrum, and the time variation of the gamma ray intensities are shown. The intensity has been changed by the order of magnitude in this period and the possible quasi periodic oscillation of 12.7days were discovered.We report the observations of TeV gamma-ray flares from Markarian 501 using the Telescope Array Prototype. The observations were carried out continuously from the end of March to the end of July of 1997. The energy spectrum and the time variation of the gamma-ray intensities are shown. The intensity has been changed by an order of magnitude in this period, and the possible quasi-periodic oscillation of 12.7 days were discovered.

Neutral Points of Oscillation Modes along Equilibrium Sequences of Rapidly Rotating Polytropes in General Relativity: Application of the Cowling Approximation

The relativistic Cowling approximation in which all metric perturbations are omitted is applied to nonaxisymmetric infinitesimal oscillations of uniformly rotating general relativistic polytropes. Frequencies of lower order f-modes, which are important in analysis of secular instability driven by gravitational radiation, are investigated, and neutral points of the mode along equilibrium sequences of rotating polytropes are determined. Since this approximation becomes more accurate as stars are more relativistic and/or as they rotate more rapidly, we will be able to analyze how a rotation period of a neutron star may be limited by this instability. Possible errors in determining neutral points caused by omitting metric perturbations are also estimated.

Telescope array for advanced studies of cosmic rays at the highest and TEV energies

Abstract For advancement of the studies of cosmic rays, a telescope array project is now under consideration.

Quasi‐radial modes of rotating stars in general relativity

By using the Cowling approximation, quasi-radial modes of rotating general relativistic stars are computed along equilibrium sequences from non-rotating to maximally rotating models. The eigenfrequencies of these modes are decreasing functions of the rotational frequency. The eigenfrequency curve of each mode as a function of the rotational frequency has discontinuities, which arise from the avoided crossing with other curves of axisymmetric modes.

Low T/|W| dynamical instability in differentially rotating stars : diagnosis with canonical angular momentum

We study the nature of non-axisymmetric dynamical instabilities in differentially rotating stars with both linear eigenmode analysis and hydrodynamic simulations in Newtonian gravity. We especially investigate the following three types of instability; the one-armed spiral instability, the low T/|W| bar instability, and the high T/|W| bar instability, where T is the rotational kinetic energy and W is the gravitational potential energy. The nature of the dynamical instabilities is clarified by using a canonical angular momentum as a diagnostic. We find that the one-armed spiral and the low T/|W| bar instabilities occur around the corotation radius, and they grow through the inflow of canonical angular momentum around the corotation radius. The result is a clear contrast to that of a classical dynamical bar instability in high T/|W|. We also discuss the feature of gravitational waves generated from these three types of instability.

A Numerical Study of Normal Modes of Rotating Neutron Star Models by the Cowling Approximation

A numerical method of mode analysis of rapidly rotating relativistic stellar models by the Cowling approximation is applied to rotating neutron stars with realistic equations of state. For selected equations of state, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of f-modes are numerically solved for stellar models from nonrotating to maximally rotating states. Neutral points of the lower order f-modes are determined as a function of the stellar rotational frequency. As in the polytropic case, we find that the bar mode can have neutral points for models with relatively strong gravity. The rotational frequency at the neutral point increases as the gravitational mass of the model becomes larger. As astrophysical applications of our analysis, we discuss the timescales of gravitational radiation-induced instability and the possibility of the resonant excitation of f-modes during inspiraling motion of compact binary systems.

Gravitational wave emission by cataclysmic variables: numerical models of semi-detached binaries

Gravitational wave emission is considered to be the driving force for the evolution of shortperiod cataclysmic binary stars, making them a potential test for the validity of General Relativity. In spite of continuous refinements of the physical description, a 10% mismatch exists between the theoretical minimum period (Pturn ’ 70 min) and the short-period cut-off (Pmin ’ 80 min) observed in the period distribution for cataclysmic variable binaries. A possible explanation for this mismatch was associated with the use of the Roche model. We here present a systematic comparison between self-consistent, numerically constructed sequences of hydrostatic models of binary stars and Roche models of semi-detached binaries. On the basis of our approach, we also derive a value for the minimum period of cataclysmic variable binaries. The results obtained through the comparison indicate that the Roche model is indeed very good, with deviations from the numerical solution which are of a few percent at most. Our results therefore suggest that additional sources of angular momentum loss or alternative explanations need to be considered in order to justify the mismatch.