I am in the third year of a Ph.D. in theoretical astrophysics at the Open University, supervised by Dr. Andy Norton and Dr. Ulrich Kolb. The aim of my project is to investigate the nature of the magnetic field in magnetic cataclysmic variables. This is being achieved partly by computational modeling of the accretion column and combining this with an existing simulation of the accretion disc of intermediate polars. The complementary approach I am also taking is to go observing and uncovering the intrinsic nature of them. This observational approach has helped me to establish international collaborations in three different continents.

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RXTE determination of the intermediate polar status of XSS J00564+4548, IGR J17195-4100, and XSS J12270-4859
Butters, O. W.; Norton, A. J.; Hakala, P.; Mukai, K.; Barlow, E. J.
Aims: We determine the nature of the intermediate polar candidates XSS J00564+4548, IGR J17195-4100, and XSS J12270-4859.
Methods: Pointed RXTE observations searched for intermediate polar characteristics in these candidate systems.
Results: XSS J00564+4548 exhibits a period of 465.68+-0.07 s, which we interpret as the spin period, an energy dependent modulation depth, and a spectrum that is fit by a 22 keV photoelectrically absorbed bremsstrahlung with an iron line profile. IGR J17195-4100 shows several candidate periodicities and a spectrum that is fit by a power law with an iron line. XSS J12270-4859 exhibits a candidate spin period of 859.57+-0.64 s and a spectrum that is fit by a power law with no evidence of an iron line.
Conclusions: XSS J00564+4548 is confirmed to be an intermediate polar. IGR J17195-4100 and XSS J12270-4859 both show some properties of intermediate polars, but cannot be confirmed as definite members of the class here.

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The Accretion Flows and Evolution of Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables
Norton, A. J.; Butters, O. W.; Parker, T. L.; Wynn, G. A.
We have used a model of magnetic accretion to investigate the accretion flows of magnetic cataclysmic variables (mCVs). Numerical simulations demonstrate that four types of flow are possible: disks, streams, rings, and propellers. The fundamental observable determining the accretion flow, for a given mass ratio, is the spin-to-orbital-period ratio of the system. If intermediate polars (IPs) are accreting at their equilibrium spin rates, then for a mass ratio of 0.5, those with Pspin/Porb<~0.1 will be disklike, those with 0.1<~Pspin/Porb<~0.6 will be streamlike, and those with Pspin/Porb~0.6 will be ringlike. The spin-to-orbital-period ratio at which the systems transition between these flow types increases as the mass ratio of the stellar components decreases. For the first time we present evolutionary tracks of mCVs, which make it possible to investigate how their accretion flow changes with time. As systems evolve to shorter orbital periods and smaller mass ratios, in order to maintain spin equilibrium their spin-to-orbital-period ratio will generally increase. As a result, the relative occurrence of ringlike flows will increase, and the occurrence of disklike flows will decrease, at short orbital periods. The growing number of systems observed at high spin-to-orbital-period ratios with orbital periods below 2 hr and the observational evidence for ringlike accretion in EX Hya are fully consistent with this picture.

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Discovery of polarized emission from the long period intermediate polar RX J2133.7+5107
Katajainen, S.; Butters, O. W.; Norton, A. J.; Lehto, H. J.; Piirola, V.
Aims: We intended to investigate the magnetic field properties of the recently identified intermediate polar RX J2133.7+5107.
Methods: We carried out UBVRI photopolarimetric observations of the target using TURPOL on the Nordic Optical Telescope over 2 nights in July/August 2006.
Results: We found that RX J2133.7+5107 emits circularly polarized light in all UBVRI bands (up to 3%). This is the first detection of circular polarization in this object. The circular polarization modulations and flux variations give hints of cyclotron beaming effects and suggest that the field strength in RX J2133.7+5107 is possibly one of the highest found amongst the IPs.
Conclusions: The highly asynchronous rotation of RX J2133.7+5107 (the spin to orbital period ratio is . 0.022), suggests that it has only recently come into contact and although it is likely to evolve into a polar, it is currently a long way from doing so. We suggest a possible link between the detection of a soft X-ray blackbody component and polarized optical emission in intermediate polars.

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RXTE confirmation of the intermediate polar status of Swift J0732.5-1331
Butters, O. W.; Barlow, E. J.; Norton, A. J.; Mukai, K.
Aims: We intend to establish the X-ray properties of Swift J0732.5-1331 and therefore confirm its status as an intermediate polar.
Methods: We analysed 36 240 s of X-ray data from RXTE. Frequency analysis was used to constrain temporal variations and spectral analysis used to characterise the emission and absorption properties.
Results: The X-ray spin period is confirmed to be 512.4(3) s with a strong first harmonic. No modulation is detected at the candidate orbital period of 5.6 h, but a coherent modulation is present at the candidate 11.3 h period. The spectrum is consistent with a 37 keV bremsstrahlung continuum with an iron line at 6.4 keV absorbed by an equivalent hydrogen column density of around 1022 atoms cm-2.
Conclusions: Swift J0732-1331 is confirmed to be an intermediate polar.

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Magnetic cataclysmic variable accretion flows
Norton, A. J.; Butters, O. W.; Parker, T. L.; Wynn, G. A.
We have used a magnetic accretion model to investigate the accretion flows of magnetic cataclysmic variables (mCVs) throughout a range of parameter space. The results of our numerical simulations demonstrate that broadly four types of flow are possible: discs, streams, rings and propellers. We show that the equilibrium spin periods in asynchronous mCVs, for a given orbital period and magnetic moment, occur where the flow changes from a type characterised by spin-up (i.e. disc or stream) to one characterised by spin-down (i.e. propeller or ring). `Triple points' occur in the plane of spin-to-orbital period ratio versus magnetic moment, at which stream-disc-propeller flows or stream-ring-propeller flows can co-exist. The first of these is identified as corresponding to when the corotation radius is equal to the circularisation radius, and the second as where the corotation radius is equal to the distance from white dwarf to the L1 point. If mCVs are accreting at their equilibrium spin rates, then for a mass ratio of 0.5, those with Pspin/Porb <~ 0.10 will be disc-like, those with 0.10 <~ Pspin/Porb <~ 0.55 will be stream-like, and those with Pspin/Porb ~ 0.55 will be ring-like. In each case, some material is also lost from the binary in order to maintain angular momentum balance. The spin to orbital period ratio at which the systems transition between these flow types decreases as the mass ratio of the stellar components increases, and vice versa.

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I read an MSci in Physics at Imperial College London, graduating with a first class Master of Science degree in 2005 (see table below). The syllabus followed a compulsary selection in the first year with ever increasing choice in the later years. A significant amount of project work was undertaken with much emphasis on computer modelling. All of the models were written in C++. Examples include: a simulation of a ferromagnetic material - using the Monte Carlo methods; a simulation of a chaotic double pendulum and a galaxy simulation.

My final year research project was a computer model simulating LeSage Gravity in Dusty Plasmas. This was a continuation of the research project I began in the summer of my third year at Imperial. I constructed a simulation in C++ of dust particles in a low temperature plasma to test the hypothesised attractive force known as LeSage gravity. The method used was a molecular dynamics algorithm.

Subject	Mark (%)
Electricity & Magnetism	89
Mathematics	88
Matter,Vibrations & Waves, Quantum Physics & the Universe	68
Mechanics & Relativity	87
Physics Laboratory I	77
Physics Short Experiments & Project I	69
Weighted first year mark	79.14
Electromagnetism & Optics	72
Electrons in Solids & Applications of Quantum Mechanics	80
Mathematical Physics, Statistics of Measurement & Professional Skills	79
Physics Laboratory II	70
Quantum Mechanics	55
Sun, Stars & Planets	68
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics	60
Weighted first & second year mark	72.7
Accounting	70
Advanced Classical Physics	87
Astrophysics	92
Computational Physics	71
Nuclear & Particle Physics	67
Physics I Comprehensive Paper	80
Physics II Comprehensive Paper	65
Physics Laboratory	65
Plasma Physics	63
Solid State & Atomic Physics and Professional Skills	69
Weighted first, second & third year mark	72.7
Atmospheric Physics	55
Cosmology	72
General Relativity	75
Instrumentation	80
Physics Research Project & Research Interfaces	80
Space Physics	75
Weighted first, second, third & fourth year mark	73.6

Final degree class 1:1

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A Levels	Grade	GCSEs	Grade
Physics	A	Dual Science	A* A*
Maths	A	Maths	A*
Further Maths	B	English Language	B
Business Studies	C	English Literature	B
		French	B
		Physical Education	B
		Business Studies	B
		Graphics	C

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I am an active member in a research initiative aiming to redevelop virtual learning environments by using the Second Life World. The project is called Schome and is housed on a private island in the teenage grid. I have several roles within the project. I have been using my programming skills to create interactive objects on the island and data collection and analysis tools to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot. I am currently involved in a project in which the community have developed a satellite to go into space for a national competition. We have been short listed and our project is being developed further with the help of a Surrey Satellite Technology Limited.

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I undertook an undergraduate research opportunity program placement in which I worked in the Plasma Physics research group in my department. During this time I constructed a two-dimensional simulation of homogenous dust immersed in a low temperature plasma. The aim of this being to build a flexible framework for later development in my MSci research project.

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Relocation of specialised equipment within the department.

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Bar work.

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Free lance tutor for A-Level and GCSE students in Maths and Physics.

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Computer

OS - Fully literate in both Windows and various flavours of Unix OS.
Typesetting - Competent in the Microsoft Office suite. Proficient in Latex.
Programming - C/C++ programming. MPI distributed computing. Sun Grid Engine computing.
Data analysis - Good general data analysis skills, including error analysis. IDL. Super Mongo data analysis. Matlab programming.
Web design - HTML, CSS, PHP, MySql.

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Telescope

ESO 3.6m - Two nights observing with the EFOSC2 instrument in its circular polarization mode at La Silla in Chile.
N.O.T. - The Nordic Optical Telescope, a 2.56m telescope on the island of La Palma. Three nights using the TURPOL instrument.
S.A.A.O. 1.9m - One week helping to commision a new polarimeter.
Mallorca - 12 inch Meades used to teach undergraduate students.

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Teaching

Taught postgraduate students at the S.T.F.C. astrobiology summer school.
One week spent teaching undergraduate students how to use a telescope and do projects on the island of Mallorca.

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Outreach

I have been involved in various science communication outreach events, with groups of people ranging from brownies to amateur astronomy societies. I was involved in the national Space Safari initiative where I was a designated astronomy expert. I play an integral part in the Schome initiative.

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I am the student representative for the departmental computer policy group. This means that I liaise between the student body and other representatives in the department about the policies affecting the future direction of the departmental Unix system.

I have been elected as web co-ordinator of my university post graduate student society (www.open.ac.uk/pgss) for two consecutive years. This involved redesigning the website and I now update it regularly.

I am a core member of staff in the schome initiative, this places me in a position of trust with regards to the community's well being and identity.

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Awards

I won the OU research school poster competition in 2006. This then qualified me to go on and represent the OU at a regional event. I was shortlisted for the best second and third year talk in 2008.

Presentations

YAM07 - Presented a poster detailing some of my work at the Young Astronomers' Meeting 2007.

Proposals

I was a named co-investigator on a successful RXTE proposal (2007). I am named as a co-investigator on a pending science outreach S.T.F.C. application. I am both a primary and a co-investigator on two pending telescope proposals (2008). I have also been both a primary and co-investigator on two further unsuccessful telescope proposals (2008).

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In my spare time I run my own web server, on which I maintain my own websites (www.ollyandbecca.co.uk and www.faji.co.uk). I was elected as web co-ordinator of my university post graduate student society (www.open.ac.uk/pgss).
I recently bought a house, and so I spend much of my time doing DIY.

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