氢钟和铯钟联合守时初探

氢钟和铯钟作为两种不同类型的频标,从统计角度上来说,它们在短期和长期频率稳定度方面的表现为时间频率领域中的学者们共识．随着技术的改进氢钟近年来在长稳方面有所提高．根据中国科学院国家授时中心(NTSC)新进口的2台美国氢钟(Sigma T)近一年来实验数据的分析,定量说明氢钟不同采样间隔的频率稳定度,并与铯钟的性能做比较．同时根据这两种类型频标的性能取长补短,探讨一组铯钟和两台氢钟联合守时的方案和地方原子时计算方法．     

氢原子钟的频率驾驭算法研究

以氢钟作为主钟系统的频率源,可产生短期稳定度更好的本地时间UTC(k),氢钟通常具有频率漂移效应,这使得氢原子钟的长期稳定度随着时间的推移不断降低,进而影响UTC(k)的稳定度与准确度.为解决这一问题,比较分析了氢钟和铯钟的性能,改进了氢钟参与时间尺度计算的算法,并提出了基于主钟为氢钟的频率驾驭算法.通过搭建试验系统,编制相关的软件,对该算法进行了检验.测试结果表明当氢钟参与原子时计算时,可有效改善参考时间尺度的短期稳定度,同时主钟频率源为氢钟比主钟频率源为铯钟产生的本地时间UTC(k)具有更好的短期频率稳定度.     

脉冲星对氢原子钟的频率驾驭算法研究

氢原子钟具有较高的短期稳定度,将其作为主钟可在短期内产生高精度的本地时间信号.但氢钟存在频率漂移现象,导致其长期稳定度较差,从而影响本地时间的准确性.毫秒脉冲星自转高度稳定,借助于其长期稳定度高的特性,可定期实现对氢原子钟的频率驾驭,并对实时信号加以控制.首先分析了国际脉冲星计时阵(International Pulsar Timing Array,IPTA)第二批发布数据中四颗毫秒脉冲星的稳定度随时间的变化,同时采用哈达玛方差分析了中国科学院国家授时中心(National Time Service Center,NTSC)一台氢钟的频率稳定性能,最终给出了利用脉冲星驾驭氢原子钟频率的方法.     

NTSC的双混频时差测量系统试运转结果分析

中国科学院国家授时中心(NTSC)新进口的由德国Timetech公司制造的双混频时差测量系统(dual mixer time difference system,DMTD)已经通过了试运行。介绍了DMTD的工作原理和设备结构。NTSC时频基准实验室的主钟(MC)信号作为DMTD的频率参考信号,5个氢钟和18个铯钟的频率信号作为被测信号与MC信号进行相位比对。用频率分配放大器输出的多路MC信号也作为被测信号用以监测DMTD本身的精度和稳定度。给出了DMTD和时间间隔计数器TIC实际测量结果的比较及误差分析。测量结果表明DMTD特别适用于频率短期稳定度非常高的氢原子钟这样的频标之间的频率和时间比对。该设备将用于NTSC的守时工作,不久的将来也将用于铯喷泉与氢钟的频率比对。     

原子时尺度分析研究

守时型原子钟主要包括氢原子钟和铯原子钟,为进一步探究不同类型守时原子钟计算时间尺度相关性能,本文开展全氢钟及氢铯联合时间尺度研究。首先依据国际权度局(Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, BIPM)发布的d公报将氢原子钟进行分类,针对分类结果分别运用原子时尺度理论方法计算全氢钟时间尺度,并给出分析结果。随后计算全铯钟时间尺度,并分析探究两种不同的氢铯联合钟组时间尺度。结果表明,基于频率漂移量较小的氢钟组形成的时间尺度波动范围小,且稳定度优于频率漂移量较大的氢钟组形成的时间尺度。氢铯联合形成的时间尺度稳定度优于全铯钟时间尺度,不同的氢铯联合钟组计算得到的时间尺度结果相近。     

一种基于小波变换的氢铯联合守时算法研究

氢铯联合守时方法主要是研究两类性能不同的原子钟的有效组合而产生稳定的时间尺度.基于此,研究了一种联合守时算法,取得了初步结果.算法首先通过铯原子钟建立参考时间尺度,用于估计氢原子钟的速率和频率漂移;其次,利用小波多尺度分解的方法降低氢原子钟钟差多种噪声的影响;最后,利用氢原子钟的可预测性能,建立由氢原子钟产生的时间尺度.此算法的优点在于产生的时间尺度充分利用了氢原子钟的短期稳定度、氢原子钟的可预测性能并考虑了测量钟差带来的多种噪声的影响,是一种优化的原子时尺度算法.     

SOHM-4型氢原子钟的设计改进与初步性能

氢原子钟是一种最稳定的 (除极短测量时间间隔之外 )频率标准 ,但是环境温度变化及微波谐振腔老化会引起原子钟输出频率的变化 ,从而导致氢原子钟长期性能变差。为了减小这些影响 ,可借助一种自动调谐器来确保谐振腔的频率始终工作在所需的频率上 ,并采用新的温度控制系统来改善氢原子钟的长期性能。针对这些年来许多氢钟出现的有关问题 ,上海天文台在借鉴国外氢钟实验室经验的基础之上 ,对原有氢钟进行了技术改造 ,并为国家授时中心研制了SOHM - 4型氢原子钟。对该型氢原子钟技术改造特点作了介绍 ,并给出了期望的性能指标及初步的测试结果     

GPS星载原子钟性能评估

介绍了星载原子钟性能评估指标——频率准确度、稳定度、漂移率的定义及计算方法,基于IGS(international GNSS service)卫星钟差数据,对GPS星载原子钟的性能指标进行了分析。其中,基于Hadamard方差方法的稳定度分析结果表明,GPS Block IIR星载铷原子钟天稳已经处于1～3×10-14的水平。     

一种新的守时型原子钟综合时间尺度方法研究

在这篇文章中, 提出了一种基于改进的指数平滑和Vondrak_Cepek联合平滑的氢铯综合时间尺度产生方法. 以最小误差方法为理论基础, 动态估计氢原子钟频率漂移参数, 提升氢原子钟钟差预测准确度; 基于改进的二次指数平滑产生氢原子钟组时间尺度、加权平均方法产生铯原子钟时间尺度, 同时设计Vondrak_Cepek滤波器以结合两类时间尺度长短期稳定度优势, 提升综合时间尺度性能. 实验结果表明, 所提方法产生的氢铯综合时间尺度时稳可达1.60x10^-15,天稳可达3x10^-15,优于ALGOS、AT1和Kalman滤波3种经典方法产生的时间 尺度性能.     

主动型氢原子钟性能监测及评估方法研究

主动型氢原子钟是时间尺度建立和保持的主要频率源,具有短期稳定度高及相位噪声低等特性,目前在国际原子时TAI (International Atomic Time)及各地方时间尺度中的作用日益重要.首先结合主动型氢原子钟内部状态参数,分析状态参数与氢原子钟比对数据的相关性,提出了氢原子钟性能监测方法.其次,针对氢原子钟性能特点,在衡量氢原子钟性能最主要的两方面,即频率稳定度及"可预测性"方面,给出了氢原子钟性能评估方法,并利用该方法对目前国际通用的两种主动型氢原子钟(CH1-75型及MHM-2010型)进行性能评估.原子钟状态参数与比对数据联合分析结果表明,状态参数监测可以有效预报钟性能的变化.原子钟频率稳定度及"可预测性"评估结果表明,中、长期稳定度越高的原子钟"可预测性"也越好. BIPM (Bureau International des Poids et Measures)权重验证结果表明,基于BIPM公布数据以及基于2次模型两种预报方法计算出来的钟"可预测性"均与BIPM公布的权重相吻合,可以作为钟"可预测性"的定量评估方法.     

Instructions for authors

正Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics publishes original research papers and reviews 011 all liranchcs of astronoiriy and astrophysics.Reviews arc by invitation only.Important new results that require rapid publication can be submitted as a Letter(Letters must be restricted in length     

A thermodynamic model of high temperature lava vaporization on Io

We modified the MAGMA chemical equilibrium code developed by Fegley and Cameron (1987, Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 82, 207-222) and used it to model vaporization of high temperature silicate lavas on Io. The MAGMA code computes chemical equilibria in a melt, between melt and its equilibrium vapor, and in the gas phase. The good agreement of MAGMA code results with experimental data and with other computer codes is demonstrated. The temperature-dependent pressure and composition of vapor in equilibrium with lava is calculated from 1700 to 2400 K for 109 different silicate lavas in the ONaKFeSiMgCaAlTi system. Results for five lavas (tholeiitic basalt, alkali basalt, Barberton komatiite, dunite, and a molten type B1 Ca, Al-rich inclusion) are discussed in detail. The effects of continuous fractional vaporization on chemistry of these lavas and their equilibrium vapor are presented. The predicted abundances (relative to Na) of K, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, and Ti in the vapor equilibrated with lavas at 1900 K are lower than published upper limits for Io's atmosphere (which do not include Mg). We predict evaporative loss of alkalis, Fe, and Si during volcanic eruptions. Sodium is more volatile than K, and the Na/K ratio in the gas is decreased by fractional vaporization. This process can match Io's atmospheric Na/K ratio of 10±3 reported by Brown (2001, Icarus 151, 190-195). Silicon monoxide is an abundant species in the vapor above lavas. Spectroscopic searches are recommended for SiO at IR and mm wavelengths. Reactions of metallic vapors with S- and Cl-bearing volcanic gases may form other unusual gases including MgCl₂, MgS, MgCl, FeCl₂, FeS, FeCl, and SiS.     

Instructions for authors

正Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics publishes original research papers and reviews on all branches of astronomy and astrophysics.Reviews are by invitation only.Important new results that require rapid publication can be submitted as a Letter(Letters must be restricted in length to 6 printed pages).Authors who submit a paper are expected to be able to certify that the paper is original work,     

Alkali and halogen chemistry in volcanic gases on Io

We use chemical equilibrium calculations to model the speciation of alkalis and halogens in volcanic gases emitted on Io. The calculations cover wide temperature (500-2000 K) and pressure (10⁻⁶ to 10⁺¹ bars) ranges, which overlap the nominal conditions at Pele (T=1760 K, P=0.01 bars). About 230 compounds of 11 elements (O, S, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, F, Cl, Br, I) are considered. The elemental abundances for O, S, Na, K, and Cl are based upon observations. CI chondritic elemental abundances relative to sulfur are used for the other alkalis and halogens (as yet unobserved on Io). We predict the major alkali species in Pele-like volcanic gases and the percentage distribution of each alkali are LiCl (73%), LiF (27%); NaCl (81%), Na (16%), NaF (3%); KCl (91%), K (5%), KF (4%); RbCl (93%), Rb (4%), RbF (3%); CsCl (92%), CsF (6%), Cs (2%). Likewise the major halogen species and the percentage distribution of each halogen are NaF (88%), KF (10%), LiF (2%); NaCl (89%), KCl (11%); NaBr (89%), KBr (10%), Br (1%); NaI (61%), I (30%), KI (9%). We predict the major halogen condensates and their condensation temperatures at P=0.01 bar are NaF (1115 K), LiF (970 K); NaCl (1050 K), KCl (950 K); KBr (750 K), RbBr (730 K), CsBr (645 K); and solid I₂ (200 K). We also model disequilibrium chemistry of the alkalis and halogens in the volcanic plume. Based on this work and our prior modeling for Na, K, and Cl in a volcanic plume, we predict the major loss processes for the alkali halide gases are photolysis and/or condensation onto grains. Their estimated photochemical lifetimes range from a few minutes for alkali iodides to a few hours for alkali fluorides. Condensation is apparently the only loss process for elemental iodine. On the basis of elemental abundances and photochemical lifetimes, we recommend searching for gaseous KCl, NaF, LiF, LiCl, RbF, RbCl, CsF, and CsCl around volcanic vents during eruptions. Based on abundance considerations and observations of brown dwarfs we also recommend a search of Io's extended atmosphere and the Io plasma torus for neutral and ionized Li, Cs, Rb, and F.     

The climatic and physiographic controls of the eastern Mediterranean over the late Pleistocene climates in the southern Levant and its neighboring deserts

Modern-day synoptic-scale eastern Mediterranean climatology provides a useful context to synthesize the diverse late Pleistocene (60–12 ka) paleohydrologic and paleoenvironmental indicators of past climatic conditions in the Levant and the deserts to its south and east. We first critically evaluate, extract, and summarize paleoenvironmental and paleohydrologic records. Then, we propose a framework of eastern Mediterranean atmospheric circulation features interacting with the morphology and location of the southeast Mediterranean coast. Together they strongly control the spatial distribution of rainfall and wind pattern. This cyclone–physiography interaction enforces the observed rainfall patterns by hampering rainfall generation south and southeast of the latitude of the north Sinai coast, currently at 31°15′.The proposed framework explains the much-increased rains in Lebanon and northern Israel and Jordan as deduced from pollen, rise and maintenance of Lake Lisan, and speleothem formation in areas currently arid and semiarid. The proposed framework also accounts for the southward and eastward transition into semiarid, arid, and hyperarid deserts as expressed in thick loess accumulation at the deserts' margins, dune migration from west to east in the Sinai and the western Negev, and the formation of hyperarid (< 80 mm yr^− 1) gypsic–salic soils in the southern Negev and Sinai. Our climatic synthesis explains the hyperarid condition in the southern Negev, located only 200–250 km south of the much-increased rains in the north, probably reflecting a steeper rainfall gradient than the present-day gradient from the wetter Levant into its bordering southern and eastern deserts.At present, the rainiest winter seasons in Lebanon and northern and central Israel are associated with more frequent (+ 20%), deeper Cyprus Lows traversing the eastern Mediterranean at approximately the latitude of southern Turkey. Even these wettest years in northern Israel do not yield above average annual rainfall amounts in the hyperarid southern Negev. This region is mainly influenced by the Active Red Sea Troughs that produce only localized rains. The eastern Mediterranean Cyprus Lows also produce more dust storms and transport higher amounts of suspended dust to the loess area than any other atmospheric pattern. Concurrent rainfall and dust are essential to the late Pleistocene formation of the elongated thick loess zone along the desert northern margin. Even with existing dust storms, the lack of rain and very sparse vegetation account for the absence of late Pleistocene loess sequences from the southern Negev and the formation of hyperarid soils.When the north Sinai coast shifted 30–70 km northwest due to last glacial global sea level lowering, the newly exposed coastal areas supplied the sand and dust to these active eastern Mediterranean cyclones. This enforced the latitude of the northern boundary of the loess zone to be directly due east of the LGM shoreline. This shift of coast to the northwest inhibited rainfall in the southern Levant deserts and maintained their hyperaridity. Concurrently, frequent deep eastern Mediterranean Cyprus Lows were funneled along the northern Mediterranean increasing (probably doubling) the rains in central and northern Israel, Lebanon, southwestern Syria and northern Jordan. These storms and rains formed lakes, forests, and speleothems only a short distance north of the deserts in the southern Levant.     

Active hot star shells

Interferometry in the visible provides milliarcsecond spatial resolution and thus has been used for studying the circumstellar environment of active hot stars. In this paper I will illustrate how the visibility modulus and phase can be used to better constrain the physics of Be disks through results from the VLA, the MkII and the GI2T interferometers. I will insist on the importance and the potential of coupling high angular resolution with high spectral resolution to the study of Be shells. Finally I will present a possible study of the circumstellar disk of Be stars using the VLTI. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fitting X-ray Afterglow Light curves of Gamma-ray Bursts by Using the Magnetar Energy Injection Model

The central compact object for some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) may be a strongly magnetized millisecond pulsar. It can inject energy to the outer shock of the GRB by through the magnetic dipole radiation, and therefore causes the shallow decay of the early afterglow. Recently, from a large number of GRB X-ray afterglows observed by Swift/XRT(X-ray telescope), it is revealed that many of them exhibit the shallow decay about 10²∼10⁴ s after the burst prompt emission. We have fitted the X-ray afterglow light curves of 11 GRBs by using the energy injection model of a magnetar with the rotation period in the millisecond order of magnitude. The obtained result shows the validity and universality of the magnetar energy injection model in explaining the shallow decay of afterglows, and simultaneously provides some constraints on the magnetic field strength and rotation period of the central magnetar.     

Natural superrotation of a rarefied planetary atmosphere

We consider the kinetics of a rarefied rotating planetary atmosphere. The spatial distributions of the atmospheric-gas density and mean angular velocity were determined by analyzing the exact solution of the two-dimensional kinetic equation. We show that the angular velocity of the gas at some distance from the planet could be higher than that in the initial layer starting from which the atmosphere is rarefied. Our model calculations elucidate the superrotation mechanism under consideration.