Search

One of the core questions of quantum physics is how to reconcile the unitary evolution of quantum states, which is information-preserving and time-reversible, with evolution following the second law of thermodynamics, which, in general, is neither. The resolution to this paradox is to recognize that global unitary evolution of a multi-partite quantum state causes the state of local subsystems to evolve towards maximum-entropy states. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate this effect in linear quantum optics by simultaneously showing the convergence of local quantum states to a generalized Gibbs ensemble constituting a maximum-entropy state under precisely controlled conditions, while introducing an efficient certification method to demonstrate that the state retains global purity. Our quantum states are manipulated by a programmable integrated quantum photonic processor, which simulates arbitrary non-interacting Hamiltonians, demonstrating the universality of this phenomenon. Our results show the potential of photonic devices for quantum simulations involving non-Gaussian states., Comment: 9+12 pages, 12 figures, replaced with final version

Optical losses are the main obstacle to demonstrating a quantum advantage via boson sampling without leaving open the possibility of classical spoofing. We propose a method for generating low-depth optical circuits suitable for boson sampling with very high efficiencies. Our circuits require only a constant number of optical components (namely three) to implement an optical transformation suitable for demonstrating a quantum advantage. Consequently, our proposal has a constant optical loss regardless of the number of optical modes. We argue that sampling from our family of circuits is computationally hard by providing numerical evidence that our family of circuits converges to that of the original boson sampling proposal in the limit of large optical systems. Our work opens a new route to demonstrate an optical quantum advantage., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures

An important step for photonic quantum technologies is the demonstration of a quantum advantage through boson sampling. In order to prevent classical simulability of boson sampling, the photons need to be almost perfectly identical and almost without losses. These two requirements are connected through spectral filtering, improving one leads to a decrease of the other. A proven method of generating single photons is spontaneous parametric downconversion (SPDC). We show that an optimal trade-off between indistinguishability and losses can always be found for SPDC. We conclude that a 50-photon scattershot boson-sampling experiment using SPDC sources is possible from a computational complexity point of view. To this end, we numerically optimize SPDC sources under the regime of weak pumping and with a single spatial mode.

Most Quantum Key Distribution protocols use a two-dimensional basis such as HV polarization as first proposed by Bennett and Brassard in 1984. These protocols are consequently limited to a key generation density of 1 bit per photon. We increase this key density by encoding information in the transverse spatial displacement of the used photons. Employing this higher-dimensional Hilbert space together with modern single-photon-detecting cameras, we demonstrate a proof-of-principle large-alphabet Quantum Key Distribution experiment with 1024 symbols and a shared information between sender and receiver of 7 bit per photon., Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, Added references, Updated Fig. 1 in the main text, Updated Fig.1 in supplementary material, Added section Trojan-horse attacks in supplementary material, title changed, Added paragraphs about final key rate and overfilling the detector to result section

We demonstrate that photonic crystals can be used to generate powerful and highly coherent laser radiation when injecting a beam of free electrons. Using theoretical investigations we present the startup dynamics and coherence properties of such laser, in which gain is provided by matching the optical phase velocity in the photonic crystal to the velocity of the electron beam., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

Background: Measurements of forward exclusive meson production at different squared four-momenta of the exchanged virtual photon, $Q^2$, and at different four-momentum transfer, t, can be used to probe QCD's transition from meson-nucleon degrees of freedom at long distances to quark-gluon degrees of freedom at short scales. Ratios of separated response functions in $\pi^-$ and $\pi^+$ electroproduction are particularly informative. The ratio for transverse photons may allow this transition to be more easily observed, while the ratio for longitudinal photons provides a crucial verification of the assumed pole dominance, needed for reliable extraction of the pion form factor from electroproduction data. Method: Data were acquired with 2.6-5.2 GeV electron beams and the HMS+SOS spectrometers in Jefferson Lab Hall C, at central $Q^2$ values of 0.6, 1.0, 1.6 GeV$^2$ at W=1.95 GeV, and $Q^2$=2.45 GeV$^2$ at W=2.22 GeV. There was significant coverage in $\phi$ and $\epsilon$, which allowed separation of $\sigma_{L,T,LT,TT}$. Results: $\sigma_L$ shows a clear signature of the pion pole, with a sharp rise at small -t. In contrast, $\sigma_T$ is much flatter versus t. The longitudinal/transverse ratios evolve with $Q^2$ and t, and at the highest $Q^2$=2.45 GeV$^2$ show a slight enhancement for $\pi^-$ production compared to $\pi^+$. The $\pi^-/\pi^+$ ratio for transverse photons exhibits only a small $Q^2$-dependence, following a nearly universal curve with t, with a steep transition to a value of about 0.25, consistent with s-channel quark knockout. The $\sigma_{TT}/\sigma_T$ ratio also drops rapidly with $Q^2$, qualitatively consistent with s-channel helicity conservation. The $\pi^-/\pi^+$ ratio for longitudinal photons indicates a small isoscalar contamination at W=1.95 GeV, consistent with what was observed in our earlier determination of the pion form factor at these kinematics., Comment: 25 pages, 16 figures, 6 tables

The study of exclusive $\pi^{\pm}$ electroproduction on the nucleon, including separation of the various structure functions, is of interest for a number of reasons. The ratio $R_L=\sigma_L^{\pi^-}/\sigma_L^{\pi^+}$ is sensitive to isoscalar contamination to the dominant isovector pion exchange amplitude, which is the basis for the determination of the charged pion form factor from electroproduction data. A change in the value of $R_T=\sigma_T^{\pi^-}/\sigma_T^{\pi^+}$ from unity at small $-t$, to 1/4 at large $-t$, would suggest a transition from coupling to a (virtual) pion to coupling to individual quarks. Furthermore, the mentioned ratios may show an earlier approach to pQCD than the individual cross sections. We have performed the first complete separation of the four unpolarized electromagnetic structure functions above the dominant resonances in forward, exclusive $\pi^{\pm}$ electroproduction on the deuteron at central $Q^2$ values of 0.6, 1.0, 1.6 GeV$^2$ at $W$=1.95 GeV, and $Q^2=2.45$ GeV$^2$ at $W$=2.22 GeV. Here, we present the $L$ and $T$ cross sections, with emphasis on $R_L$ and $R_T$, and compare them with theoretical calculations. Results for the separated ratio $R_L$ indicate dominance of the pion-pole diagram at low $-t$, while results for $R_T$ are consistent with a transition between pion knockout and quark knockout mechanisms., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

Virtual Compton Scattering (VCS) on the proton has been studied at Jefferson Lab using the exclusive photon electroproduction reaction (e p --> e p gamma). This paper gives a detailed account of the analysis which has led to the determination of the structure functions P_LL-P_TT/epsilon and P_LT, and the electric and magnetic generalized polarizabilities (GPs) alpha_E(Q^2) and beta_M(Q^2) at values of the four-momentum transfer squared Q^2= 0.92 and 1.76 GeV^2. These data, together with the results of VCS experiments at lower momenta, help building a coherent picture of the electric and magnetic GPs of the proton over the full measured Q^2-range, and point to their non-trivial behavior., Comment: version 2: modified according to PRC Editor's and Referee's recommendations. Archival paper for the E93-050 experiment at JLab Hall A. 28 pages, 23 figures, 5 cross-section tables. To be submitted to Phys.Rev.C

Cross sections for the reaction ${^1}$H($e,e'\pi^+$)$n$ were measured in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) using the CEBAF high-intensity, continous electron beam in order to determine the charged pion form factor. Data were taken for central four-momentum transfers ranging from $Q^2$=0.60 to 2.45 GeV$^2$ at an invariant mass of the virtual photon-nucleon system of $W$=1.95 and 2.22 GeV. The measured cross sections were separated into the four structure functions $\sigma_L$, $\sigma_T$, $\sigma_{LT}$, and $\sigma_{TT}$. The various parts of the experimental setup and the analysis steps are described in detail, including the calibrations and systematic studies, which were needed to obtain high precision results. The different types of systematic uncertainties are also discussed. The results for the separated cross sections as a function of the Mandelstam variable $t$ at the different values of $Q^2$ are presented. Some global features of the data are discussed, and the data are compared with the results of some model calculations for the reaction ${^1}$H($e,e'\pi^+$)$n$., Comment: 26 pages, 23 figures

The charged pion form factor, Fpi(Q^2), is an important quantity which can be used to advance our knowledge of hadronic structure. However, the extraction of Fpi from data requires a model of the 1H(e,e'pi+)n reaction, and thus is inherently model dependent. Therefore, a detailed description of the extraction of the charged pion form factor from electroproduction data obtained recently at Jefferson Lab is presented, with particular focus given to the dominant uncertainties in this procedure. Results for Fpi are presented for Q^2=0.60-2.45 GeV^2. Above Q^2=1.5 GeV^2, the Fpi values are systematically below the monopole parameterization that describes the low Q^2 data used to determine the pion charge radius. The pion form factor can be calculated in a wide variety of theoretical approaches, and the experimental results are compared to a number of calculations. This comparison is helpful in understanding the role of soft versus hard contributions to hadronic structure in the intermediate Q^2 regime., Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures

We present a measurement of the spin-dependent cross sections for the \vec{^3He}(\vec{e},e')X} reaction in the quasielastic and resonance regions at four-momentum transfer 0.1 < Q^2< 0.9 GeV^2. The spin-structure functions have been extracted and used to evaluate the nuclear Burkhardt--Cottingham and extended GDH sum rules for the first time. Impulse approximation and exact three-body Faddeev calculations are also compared to the data in the quasielastic region., Comment: Final version

The data analysis for the reaction H(e,e' pi^+)n, which was used to determine values for the charged pion form factor Fpi for values of Q^2=0.6-1.6 GeV^2, has been repeated with careful inspection of all steps and special attention to systematic uncertainties. Also the method used to extract Fpi from the measured longitudinal cross section was critically reconsidered. Final values for the separated longitudinal and transverse cross sections and the extracted values of Fpi are presented., Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures

We present the results from a 500 ks Chandra observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. We detect broadened emission lines of O VII and C VI in the spectra, similar to those observed in the optical and UV bands. The source was continuously variable, with a 30 % increase in luminosity in the second half of the observation. No variability in the warm absorber was detected between the spectra from the first 170 ks and the second part of the observation. The velocity structure of the X-ray absorber is consistent with the velocity structure measured simultaneously in the ultraviolet spectra. We find that the highest velocity outflow component, at -1040 km/s, becomes increasingly important for higher ionization parameters. This velocity component spans at least three orders of magnitude in ionization parameter, producing both highly ionized X-ray absorption lines (Mg XII, Si XIV) as well as UV absorption lines. A similar conclusion is very probable for the other four velocity components. Based upon our observations, we argue that the warm absorber probably does not manifest itself in the form of photoionized clumps in pressure equilibrium with a surrounding wind. Instead, a model with a continuous distribution of column density versus ionization parameter gives an excellent fit to our data. From the shape of this distribution and the assumption that the mass loss through the wind should be smaller than the accretion rate onto the black hole, we derive upper limits to the solid angle as small as 10^{-4} sr. From this we argue that the outflow occurs in density-stratified streamers. The density stratification across the stream then produces the wide range of ionization parameter observed in this source. Abridged., Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures accepted for publication in A&A

The Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 was observed for a week by Chandra using both the HETGS and LETGS spectrometers. In this paper we study the time variability of the continuum radiation. During our observation, the source showed a gradual increase in flux over four days, followed by a rapid decrease and flattening of the light curve afterwards. Superimposed upon these relatively slow variations several short duration bursts or quasi-periodic oscillations occured with a typical duration of several hours and separation between 0.6-0.9 days. The bursts show a delay of the hard X-rays with respect to the soft X-rays of a few hours. We interprete these bursts as due to a rotating, fluctuating hot spot at approximately 10 gravitational radii; the time delay of the hard X-rays from the bursts agree with the canonical picture of Inverse Compton scattering of the soft accretion disk photons on a hot medium that is relatively close to the central black hole., Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The M-dwarf AD Leonis has been observed with the Reflection Grating Spectrometers and the European Photon Imaging Camera aboard XMM-Newton and also with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. In the observation taken with XMM-Newton five large flares produced by AD Leo were identified and only one in the observation taken with Chandra. A quiescent level to the lightcurves is difficult to define, since several smaller flares mutually overlap each other. However, we defined a quasi-steady state outside of obvious flares or flare decays. The spectra from the flare state and the quasi-steady state are analysed separately. From these spectra the temperature structure was derived with a multi-temperature model and with a differential emission measure model. The multi-temperature model was also used to determine the relative abundances of C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, and Fe. He-like ions, such as O VII and Ne IX, produce line triplets which are used to determine or constrain the electron temperature and electron density of the corresponding ion. During the flare state a higher emission measure at the hottest temperature is found for both XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. The derived abundances suggest the presence of an inverse First Ionization Potential effect in the corona of AD Leo., Comment: 8 pages and 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

Using the combined spectral and spatial resolving power of the Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETGS) on board Chandra, we obtain separate spectra from the bright central source of NGC 1068 (Primary region), and from a fainter bright spot 4" to the NE (Secondary region). Both spectra are dominated by line emission from H- and He-like ions of C through S, and from Fe L-shell ions, but also include narrow radiative recombination continua, indicating that most of the soft X-ray emission arises in low-temperature (kT few eV) photoionized plasma. We confirm the conclusions of Kinkhabwala et al. (2002), based on XMM-Newton RGS observations, that the entire nuclear spectrum can be explained by recombination/radiative cascade following photoionization, and radiative decay following photoexcitation, with no evidence for hot, collisionally ionized plasma. In addition, this model also provides an excellent fit to the spectrum of the Secondary region, albeit with radial column densities a factor of three lower, as would be expected given its distance from the source of the ionizing continuum. The remarkable overlap and kinematical agreement of the optical and X-ray line emission, coupled with the need for a distribution of ionization parameter to explain the X-ray spectra, collectively imply the presence of a distribution of densities (over a few orders of magnitude) at each radius in the ionization cone. Relative abundances of all elements are consistent with Solar abundance, except for N, which is 2-3 times Solar. The long wavelength spectrum beyond 30 A is rich of L-shell transitions of Mg, Si, S, and Ar, and M-shell transitions of Fe. The velocity dispersion decreases with increasing ionization parameter, as deduced from these long wavelength lines and the Fe-L shell lines., Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

We present an analysis of ten cool stars (Algol, Capella, Procyon, Eps Eri, Alpha Cen A&B, UX Ari, AD Leo, YY Gem, and HR1099) observed with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This sample contains all cools stars observed with the LETGS presently available to us with integration times sufficiently long to warrant a meaningful spectral analysis. Our sample comprises inactive, moderately active, and hyperactive stars and samples the bulk part of activity levels encountered in coronal X-ray sources. We use the LETGS spectra to carry out density and temperature diagnostics with an emphasis on the H-like and the He-like ions. We find a correlation between line flux ratios of the Lyman-Alpha and He-like resonance lines with the mean X-ray surface flux. We determine densities using the He-like triplets. For active stars we find no significant deviations from the low-density limit for the ions of Ne, Mg, and Si, while the measured line ratios for the ions of C, N, and O do show evidence for departures from the low-density limit in the active stars, but not in the inactive stars. Best measurements can be made for the OVII triplet where we find significant deviations from the low-density limit for the stars Algol, Procyon, YY Gem, Eps Eri, and HR1099. We discuss the influence of radiation fields on the interpretation of the He-like triplet line ratios in the low-Z ions, which is relevant for Algol, and the influence of dielectronic satellite lines, which is relevant for Procyon. For the active stars YY Gem, Eps Eri, and HR1099 the low f/i ratios can unambiguously be attributed to high densties in the range 1--3 10^10 cm^-3 at OVII temperatures. We find our LETGS spectra to be an extremely useful tool for plasma diagnostics of stellar coronae., Comment: 17 pages, Latex2e, 12 figures. accepted for A&A under MS2627

We report the analysis of the high-resolution soft X-ray spectrum of the nearby F-type star Procyon in the wavelength range from 5 to 175 Angstrom obtained with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) on board Chandra and with the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) and the EPIC-MOS CCD spectrometers on board XMM-Newton. Line fluxes have been measured separately for the RGS and LETGS. Spectra have been fitted globally to obtain self-consistent temperatures, emission measures, and abundances. The total volume emission measure is ~4.1 x 10e50/cm3 with a peak between 1 and 3 MK. No indications for a dominant hot component (T > 4 MK) were found. We present additional evidence for the lack of a solar-type FIP-effect, confirming earlier EUVE results., Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, A&A accepted

We present high-resolution soft-X-ray spectra of the prototypical Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 1068, taken with XMM-Newton RGS and Chandra LETGS. Its rich emission-line spectrum is dominated by recombination in a warm plasma (bright, narrow radiative recombination continua provide the ``smoking gun''), which is photoionized by the inferred nuclear power-law continuum. Radiative decay following photoexcitation of resonant transitions is also significant. A self-consistent model of an irradiated cone of gas is capable of reproducing the hydrogenic/heliumlike ionic line series in detail. The radial ionic column densities we infer are consistent with absorption measurements (the warm absorber) in Seyfert 1 galaxies. This strongly suggests that the emission spectrum we observe from NGC 1068 emanates from its warm absorber. The observed extent of the ionization-cone/warm absorber in NGC 1068 of about 300 pc implies that a large fraction of the gas associated with generic warm absorbers may typically exist on the hundreds-of-parsec scale rather than much closer to the nucleus (e.g., less than a parsec). Spatially-resolved spectroscopy using the LETGS of two distinct emission regions yields two noticeably different spectra. We show that these differences are solely due to differing radial column densities. A fairly flat distribution in ionization parameter is necessary to explain the inferred radial ionic column densities of all spectra. This must primarily be due to a broad density distribution at each radius, spanning roughly 0.1-100 cm$^{-3}$. (Abridged), Comment: 9 pages, 15 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the symposium 'New Visions of the X-ray Universe in the XMM-Newton and Chandra Era', 26-30 November 2001, ESTEC, The Netherlands. Minor corrections/reference modifications (thanks to J. Krolik for pointing out)

We analyze the high-resolution X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548, for the full 0.1-10 keV band, using improved calibration results of the Chandra-LETGS instrument. The warm absorber consists of at least three ionization components, namely one with a low, medium and high ionization parameter. The X-ray absorbing material, from an outflowing wind, covers the full range of velocity components found from UV absorption lines. The presence of redshifted emission components for the strongest blue-shifted resonance absorption lines indicate that the absorber is located at a distance larger than the edge of the accretion disk. We derive an upper limit to the edge of the accretion disk of 1 light year. Absorption lines from ions of at least ten chemical elements have been detected, and in general for these elements there are no strong deviations from solar abundances. The narrow emission lines from the O VII and Ne IX forbidden and intercombination lines probably originate from much larger distances to the black hole. We find evidence for weak relativistically broadened oxygen and nitrogen emission lines from the inner parts of the accretion disk, but at a much smaller flux level than those observed in some other active galactic nuclei. In addition, there is a broad, non-relativistic C VI Ly alpha emission line that is consistent with emission lines from the inner part of the optical/UV broad line region., Comment: 18 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The X-ray luminous RS CVn binary system HR 1099 has been observed on several occasions in the early phases of \textit{Chandra} and \textit{XMM-Newton}. A very hot (up to 40 MK) dominant coronal plasma has been identified from the high-resolution spectroscopic data; cooler plasma is seen down to about 3 MK. We recently obtained 100 ksec in \textit{Chandra}'s Guest Observer Program to study the corona of HR 1099 with the High-Resolution Camera (HRC-S) and the Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETG) across the complete temperature range above 1 MK. The data provide an unprecedented view of spectral lines and continua at high resolution between 1 and 175 \AA. We present our investigations on the Chandra LETGS observation of HR 1099 into the context of the latest results obtained with XMM-Newton., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. Proc. symposium "New Visions of the X-ray Universe in the XMM-Newton and Chandra Era" (ESA SP-488)

XMM-Newton has been performing comprehensive studies of X-ray luminous RS CVn binary systems in its calibration and guaranteed time programs. We present results from ongoing investigations in the context of a systematic study of coronal emission from RS CVns. We concentrate here on coronal abundances and investigate the abundance pattern in RS CVn binaries as a function of activity and average temperature. We find a transition from an Inverse First Ionization Potential (FIP) effect towards an absence of a clear trend (no FIP) in intermediately active RS CVn systems. This scheme fits well into the long-term evolution from an IFIP to a FIP effect found in solar analogs. We further study variations in the elemental abundances during a large flare., Comment: to appear in 35th ESLAB Symposium "Stellar Coronae in the Chandra and XMM-Newton Era", eds. F. Favata & J.J. Drake (San Francisco: ASP), in press

XMM-Newton has been performing comprehensive studies of X-ray bright RS CVn binaries in its Calibration and Guaranteed Time programs. We present results from ongoing investigations in the context of a systematic study of coronal emission from RS CVns. We concentrate in this paper on coronal abundances and investigate the abundance pattern in RS CVn binaries as a function of activity and average temperature. A transition from an Inverse First Ionization Potential (FIP) effect towards an absence of a clear trend is found in intermediately active RS CVn systems. This scheme corresponds well into the long-term evolution from an IFIP to a FIP effect found in solar analogs. We further study variations in the elemental abundances during a large flare., Comment: to appear in The Twelfth Cool Stars, Stellar Systems and the Sun, eds. A. Brown, T.R. Ayres, G.M. Harper, (Boulder: Univ. of Colorado), in press

X-ray spectroscopy of Seyfert 2 galaxies provides an excellent probe of the circumnuclear environment in active galactic nuclei. The grating experiments on both Chandra and XMM-Newton have now provided the first high resolution spectra of several of the brightest Seyfert 2's. We present Chandra HETG data on Markarian 3 and XMM-Newton RGS data on NGC 1068. In both cases, the spectra are dominated by emission lines due to radiative recombination following photoionization, photoexcitation, and fluorescence. There is no evidence for any significant contribution from collisionally-heated gas., Comment: 4 pages, to appear in New Century of X-ray Astronomy, ASP Conf. Ser., Vol. TBD, 2001

Soft X-ray spectroscopy of Seyfert 2 galaxies offers perhaps the best method to probe the possible connection between AGN activity and star formation. Obscuration of powerful radiation from the inferred nucleus allows for detailed study of circumnuclear emission regions. And soft X-ray spectroscopy of these regions allows for robust discrimination between warm gas radiatively driven by the AGN and hot collisionally-driven gas possibly associated with star formation. A simple model of a (bi-)cone of gas photoionized and photoexcited by a nuclear power-law continuum is sufficient to explain the soft X-ray spectra of all Seyfert 2 galaxies so far observed by the XMM-Newton and Chandra satellites. An upper limit of around 10 percent to an additional hot, collisionally-driven gas contribution to the soft X-ray regime appears to hold for five different Seyfert 2 galaxies, placing interesting constraints on circumnuclear star formation., Comment: 4 pages, to appear in The Central kpc of Starbursts and AGN, ASP Conf. Ser., Vol. TBD, 2001

Preliminary analysis of the X-ray spectrum of NGC 1068 obtained by the RGS spectrometer on board XMM-Newton is presented. A physically consistent model is developed in order to quantitatively describe the reprocessing of the central AGN continuum source into the discrete X-ray emission observed in Seyfert 2 galaxies. All the important atomic processes are taken into account, including photoexcitation, which has been neglected in some previous models. The model fits the high resolution NGC 1068 data very well, which implies that the contribution of hot collisional gas to the X-ray spectrum of NGC 1068 is negligible., Comment: Submitted for the proceedings of Mass Outflows in AGNs: New Perspectives

Electron density diagnostics based on the triplets of Helium-like CV, NVI, and OVII are applied to the X-ray spectra of Capella and Procyon measured with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory. New theoretical models for the calculation of the line ratios between the forbidden (f), intercombination (i), and the resonance (r) lines of the helium-like triplets are used. The derived densities are quite typical of densities found in the solar active regions, and also pressures and temperatures in Procyon's and Capella's corona at a level of T=10^6K are quite similar. We find no evidence for densities as high as measured in solar flares. Comparison of our Capella and Procyon measurements with the Sun shows little difference in the physical properties of the layers producing the CV, NVI, and OVII emission. Assuming the X-ray emitting plasma to be confined in magnetic loops, we obtain typical loop length scales of L_Capella > 8 L_Procyon from the loop scaling laws, implying that the magnetic structures in Procyon and Capella are quite different. The total mean surface fluxes emitted in the helium- and hydrogen-like ions are quite similar for Capella and Procyon, but exceed typical solar values by one order of magnitude. We thus conclude that Procyon's and Capella's coronal filling factors are larger than corresponding solar values., Comment: 13 pages, Latex, fitting program Cora available at http://www.hs.uni-hamburg.de/german/persons/Ness/Software/cora-1.0.tar.gz accepted at A&A under MS10283

We find resolved interstellar O K, Ne K, and Fe L absorption spectra in the Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer spectrum of the low mass X-ray binary X0614+091. We measure the column densities in O and Ne, and find direct spectroscopic constraints on the chemical state of the interstellar O. These measurements probably probe a low-density line of sight through the Galaxy and we discuss the results in the context of our knowledge of the properties of interstellar matter in regions between the spiral arms., Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures; ApJ, accepted

We present a preliminary analysis of the 1--10 keV spectrum of the massive X-ray binary Cyg X-3, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The source reveals a richly detailed discrete emission spectrum, with clear signatures of photoionization-driven excitation. Among the spectroscopic novelties in the data are the first astrophysical detections of a number of He-like 'triplets' (Si, S, Ar) with emission line ratios characteristic of photoionization equilibrium, fully resolved narrow radiative recombination continua of Mg, Si, and S, the presence of the H-like Fe Balmer series, and a clear detection of a ~ 800 km/s large scale velocity field, as well as a ~1500 km/s FWHM Doppler broadening in the source. We briefly touch on the implications of these findings for the structure of the Wolf-Rayet wind., Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

We present the first X-ray spectrum obtained by the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum is of Capella and covers a wavelength range of 5-175 A (2.5-0.07 keV). The measured wavelength resolution, which is in good agreement with ground calibration, is $\Delta \lambda \simeq$ 0.06 A (FWHM). Although in-flight calibration of the LETGS is in progress, the high spectral resolution and unique wavelength coverage of the LETGS are well demonstrated by the results from Capella, a coronal source rich in spectral emission lines. While the primary purpose of this letter is to demonstrate the spectroscopic potential of the LETGS, we also briefly present some preliminary astrophysical results. We discuss plasma parameters derived from line ratios in narrow spectral bands, such as the electron density diagnostics of the He-like triplets of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, as well as resonance scattering of the strong Fe XVII line at 15.014 A., Comment: 4 pages (ApJ letter LaTeX), 2 PostScript figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters, 2000