The Ferrara hard X-ray facility for testing/calibrating hard X-ray focusing telescopes

We will report on the current configuration of the X-ray facility of the University of Ferrara recently used to perform reflectivity tests of mosaic crystals and to calibrate the experiment JEM–X aboard Integral. The facility is now located in the technological campus of the University of Ferrara in a new building (named LARIX laboratory= ̳LARge ̳Italian ̳X-ray facility) that includes a tunnel 100 m long with, on the sides, two large experimental rooms. The facility is being improved for determining the optical axis of mosaic crystals in Laue configuration, for calibrating Laue lenses and hard X-ray mirror prototypes.     

Laue diffraction lenses for astrophysics: From theory to experiments

Based on the laws of X-ray diffraction in crystals, Laue lenses offer a promising way to achieve the sensitivity and angular resolution leap required for the next generation of hard X-ray and gamma-ray telescopes.The present paper describes the instrumental responses of Laue diffraction lenses designed for nuclear astrophysics. Different possible geometries are discussed, as well as the corresponding spectral and imaging capabilities. These theoretical predictions are then compared with Monte-Carlo simulations and experimental results (ground and stratospheric observations from the CLAIRE project). PACS 95.55.Ka, 61.50.Ah, 61.10.−i, 41.50.+h     

BATSE/OSSE rapid burst response

The BATSE and OSSE instrument teams have modified flight software to promptly (within 2 min of trigger) slew the OSSE detectors to burst locations determined on-board by BATSE. This enables OSSE to make sensitive searches for prompt and delayed post-burst line and continuum emission above 50 keV. In the best cases our sensitivity will be more than an order of magnitude better than any other search in this energy range. We expect to slew to 1–2 bursts per month, based on the OSSE FOV and BATSE event rate. Detections or limits from continued operation of this system may provide significant constraints on burst models. As an example of the observations made using this system, we present preliminary limits for post-burst emission from GRB 950223 on several time scales.     

TAUVEX - Tel Aviv University UV Explorer

TAUVEX - Tel Aviv University UV Explorer is a space telescope that is currently being built in Israel, to be flown on board the Russian international sattelite SRG - Spectrum Roentgen Gamma, in late 1995 or early 1996. TAUVEX is an imager in the near UV spectral window. Its major goal is to make a survey of about 10% of the UV sky, in the range = 1350 - 3500Å. A successful operation of TAUVEX will partially fill an important gap in our recognition of the sky, namely the distribution and the nature of the celestial UV sources, which are still mostly unknown. TAUVEX will also operate as a fast multicolor photometer in its UV range of operation. TAUVEX is aligned in parallel to the common optical axix of all the other instruments on board SRG, most of which are telescopes and monitors for high energy radiation. SRG will be thus able to perform for the first time in history simultaneous astronomical observations in one and the same celestial body, that cover together 7 order of magnitude of the recorded radiation. The observations of TAUVEX can be greatly enhanced by ground base observations.     

Interpretation of gamma-ray logs: The distribution of uranium in carbonate platform

High gamma-radioactivity in carbonates is usually ascribed to uranium of detrital minerals and organic matter, and to thorium and potassium of clays. The present study based on Urgonian marls and marly limestones (France) shows that some of the most radioactive values correspond instead to some ‘pure’ limestones. These peaks are generally associated with a sequence boundary or a maximum flooding surface. Low-level γ-spectrometry and ICP–MS analyses show that although high radioactivities are mostly associated with uranium, there is no obvious correlation between uranium enrichment and lithology. Also, correlation between high radioactivity and argillaceous beds might not be systematic. To cite this article: M.C. Raddadi et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

γ测井资料反褶积分层解释法在8411矿床的试验对比

γ测井资料的反褶积分层解释法具有方法简单,精度高,速度快,分辨能力强,用微机进行计算等优点。作者通过用反褶积法对8411矿床γ测井资料的解释,对视特征参数的选择条件,γ强度底数的确定和划分矿层边界的原则,提出了初步看法。将该法的试验结果与传统的平均含量法和矿心分析结果进行了对比,还分析了视特征参数的取值大小对矿层线储量及矿化分层的影响,并讨论了引起线储量相对误差的原因。     

改进型反褶积分层解释法——一种应用PC～1500计算机处理γ测井资料的新方法

本文吸取了现行Υ测井资料解释方法的合理部分,提出了改进型反褶积分层解释法。叙述了方法的原理及设置判别因子的原则。作者以PC-1500微机为例给出了改进后的反褶积分层解释法程序流程图。通过对模型钻孔和实际钻孔测井资料的解释,证实了方法的合理性和可行性,克服了目前平均强度法中存在的人为影响,扩大了一般分层解释法的应用范围,该法可在现场及时取得结果,提高了解释速度和质量。     

布朗族的天文历法知识刍议

布朗族使用傣历（祖葛历）,以月份结合物候变化指导生产,生活中使用７ｄ（天）为１轮的纪日制度,并将７个日名赋予不同寓意。这种状况可能距今只有２００余年的历史,在此以前的历法,由于没有文字记录而被完全淡忘了,但从其先民的崖画和口头流传的传说中,有阴阳并重、同时崇拜太阳和月亮的内容看,是处于阴阳合历初期的“物候历”,其内容应与佤族（清朝时分化）的阴阳历相似。     

毫秒脉冲星计时观测的研究进展

对毫秒脉冲星时间测量的理论、方法和技术研究的进展进行了阐述。根据近年来取得的观测研究结果,毫秒脉冲星计时测量误差～2×10－7秒,毫秒脉冲星自转周期稳定性足以和现代原子钟相媲美：其相对频率不稳定度达到1×10－14（1年≤γ≤5．2年）,并可望更高。近年来,脉冲星计时观测系统的接收灵敏度获得很大改进,计时观测的数据采集、处理技术、脉冲到达时间分析模型研究等都有长足发展。通过综合脉冲星时间算法得到的脉冲星时间尺度将比现代原子时具有更高的长期稳定度。叙述了脉冲星的物理特性及有关计时观测系统的技术成果,如观测频率和带宽的选择,消色散和接收系统灵敏度等问题。最后对毫秒脉冲星时间测量的误差源进行了讨论,并对脉冲星时间尺度的应用前景做了展望。