Constraining fast radio burst progenitors with gravitational lensing

Fast Radio Bursts(FRBs)are new transient radio sources discovered recently.Because of the angular resolution restriction in radio surveys,no optical counter part has been identified yet so it is hard to determine the progenitor of FRBs.In this paper we propose to use radio lensing survey to constrain FRB progenitors.We show that,different types of progenitors lead to different probabilities for a FRB to be gravitationally lensed by dark matter halos in foreground galaxies,since different type progenitors result in different redshift distributions of FRBs.For example,the redshift distribution of FRBs arising from double stars shifts toward lower redshift than of the FRBs arising from single stars,because double stars and single stars have different evolution timescales.With detailed calculations,we predict that the FRB sample size for producing one lensing event varies significantly for different FRB progenitor models.We argue that this fact can be used to distinguish different FRB models and also discuss the practical possibility of using lensing observation in radio surveys to constrain FRB progenitors.     

A comparison between repeating bursts of FRB 121102 and giant pulses from Crab pulsar and its applications

There are some similarities between bursts of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) and giant pulses (GPs) of pulsars. To explore possible relations between them, we study the cumulative energy distributions of these two phenomena using the observations of repeating FRB 121102 and the GPs of Crab pulsar. We find that the power-law slope of GPs (with fluence≥130 Jy·ms) is 2.85±0.10. The energy distribution of FRB 121102 can be well fitted by a smooth broken power-law function. For the bursts of FRB 121102 above the break energy (1.22 ×10³⁷ erg), the best-fitting slope is {2.90}_{-0.44}^{+0.55}, similar to the index of GPs at the same observing frequency (∼1.4 GHz). We further discuss the physical origin of the repeating FRB 121102 in the framework of the super GPs model. And we find that the super GPs model involving a millisecond pulsar is workable and favored for explaining FRB 121102 despite that the magnetar burst model is more popular.     

New prospects for astronomy

Astronomers in Britain have until very recently found it hard to obtain observing time on large optical telescopes. The success of observational X-ray and radio astronomy has revealed an urgent need for first-class telescopes on excellent sites. That need is now being met in Australia and at the new observatory on the island of La Palma, where the Royal Greenwich Observatory is providing three telescopes for the Science Research Council. The largest of these, 4.2m in diameter, is to be named the William Herschel Telescope in commemoration of the great telescope builder and observer.     

The Renaissance of Radio Detection of Cosmic Rays

Nearly 50 years ago, the first radio signals from cosmic ray air showers were detected. After many successful studies, however, research ceased not even 10 years later. Only a decade ago, the field was revived with the application of powerful digital signal processing techniques. Since then, the detection technique has matured, and we are now in a phase of transition from small-scale experiments accessing energies below 10 ¹⁸ eV to experiments with a reach for energies beyond 10 ¹⁹ eV. We have demonstrated that air shower radio signals carry information on both the energy and the mass of the primary particle, and current experiments are in the process of quantifying the precision with which this information can be accessed. All of this rests on solid understanding of the radio emission processes which can be interpreted as a coherent superposition of geomagnetic emission, Askaryan charge-excess radiation, and Cherenkov-like coherence effects arising in the density gradient of the atmosphere. In this article, I highlight the “state of the art” of radio detection of cosmic rays and briefly discuss its perspectives for the next few years.     

Exploring bouncing cosmologies with cosmological surveys

From recent observational data two significant directions have been made in the field of theoretical cosmology recently.First,we are now able to make use of present observations,such as the Planck and BICEP2 data,to examine theoretical predictions from the standard inflationaryΛCDM which were made decades of years ago.Second,we can search for new cosmological signatures as a way to explore physics beyond the standard cosmic paradigm.In particular,a subset of early universe models admit a nonsingular bouncing solution that attempts to address the issue of the big bang singularity.These models have achieved a series of considerable developments in recent years,in particular in their perturbative frameworks,which made brand-new predictions of cosmological signatures that could be visible in current and forthcoming observations.Herein we present two representative paradigms of early universe physics.The first is the reputed new matter(or matter-ekpyrotic)bounce scenario in which the universe starts with a matter-dominated contraction phase and transitions into an ekpyrotic phase.In the setting of this paradigm,we have proposed some possible mechanisms of generating a red tilt for primordial curvature perturbations and confront the general predictions with recent cosmological observations.The second is the matter-bounce inflation scenario which can be viewed as an extension of inflationary cosmology with a matter contraction before inflation.We present a class of possible model constructions and review the implications on the current CMB experiments.Lastly a review of significant achievements of these paradigms beyond the inflationaryΛCDM model is made,which is expected to shed new light on the future direction of observational cosmology.     

A quantitative assessment of communicating extra-terrestrial intelligent civilizations in the galaxy and the case of FRB-like signals

A formula is proposed to quantitatively estimate the signal emission rate of Communicating Extra-Terrestrial Intelligent civilizations (CETIs) in the Galaxy. I suggest that one possible type of CETI signal would be brief radio bursts similar to fast radio bursts (FRBs). A dedicated search for FRB–like artificial signals in the Galaxy for decades may pose a meaningful upper limit on the emission rate of these signals by CETIs. The Fermi-Hart paradox is answered in terms of not having enough observing times for this and other types of signals. Whether humans should send FRB-like signals in the far future is briefly discussed.     

Probing the anisotropic distribution of baryon matter in the Universe using fast radio bursts

We propose that fast radio bursts (FRBs) can be used as probes to constrain the possible anisotropic distribution of baryon matter in the Universe. Monte Carlo simulations show that 400 (800) FRBs are sufficient to detect the anisotropy at a 95% (99%) confidence level if the dipole amplitude has an order of magnitude of 0.01. However, more FRBs are required to tightly constrain the dipole direction. Even 1000 FRBs are insufficient to constrain the dipole direction within the angular uncertainty \begin{document}$\Delta\theta<40^{\circ}$\end{document} at a 95% confidence level. The uncertainty on the dispersion measure of a host galaxy does not significantly affect the results. However, if the dipole amplitude is in the region of 0.001, 1000 FRBs are not enough to correctly detect the anisotropic signal.     

Beyond biomedicine: a review of alternative applications and developments for optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a method for depth-resolved imaging within turbid media based on the concept of low-coherence interferometry, rapidly evolved in the recent years with the development of a multitude of new functionalities and modalities. Biomedical research and diagnostics have been up to now the main driving forces for the reported applications and progress in OCT. The characteristics of OCT, precisely the ability to provide high-resolution images in a contact-free way, render this technique also attractive for a broad spectrum of research topics and applications outside the biomedical field. Consequently, a variety of novel applications for OCT and developments for the method itself have started to emerge. In this review we will give a detailed overview of the so far presented OCT-based methods and applications, ranging from dimensional metrology, material research and non-destructive testing, over art diagnostics, botany, microfluidics to data storage and security applications, and include new data from a study on penetration depths in various polymer materials as well as on birefringence imaging of different crystalline polymer structures. Finally, advanced and related OCT techniques are presented with high potential for future applications outside the biomedical field. PACS 01.30.Rr; 42.30.Wb; 42.40.My     

Recent development and status of magnetoelectric materials and devices

The magnetoelectric (ME) materials and related devices have been attracting increasing research attention over the last few years. They exhibit strong ME coupling effect at room temperature, and electric field control of magnetization or magnetic field control of ferroelectric polarization can be achieved. The ME coupling effect brings novel functionalities to develop ultra-fast, low-power, and miniaturized electronics. Recent progress shows the performance of ME materials is further improved and the materials are used to develop many new types of electronics such as high-speed memory, radio frequency resonator, compact ME antenna, and weak magnetic field sensor. In this review, we present the overview in those fields with emphasis on both the opportunities and challenges for the application of ME materials and devices in the cutting-edge technologies.     

Models and observations of sunspot penumbrae

The mysteries of sunspot penumbrae have been under an intense scrutiny for the past 10 years. During this time, some models have been proposed and refuted, while the surviving ones had to be modified, adapted and evolved to explain the ever-increasing array of observational constraints. In this contribution I will review two of the present models, emphasizing their contributions to this field, but also pinpointing some of their inadequacies to explain a number of recent observations at very high spatial resolution (0.32″). To help explaining these new observations I propose some modifications to each of those models. These modifications bring those two seemingly opposite models closer together into a general picture that agrees well with recent 3D magneto-hydrodynamic simulations.     

GPS掩星一维弯曲角算子在四维变分资料同化系统中的实现方法研究

GPS无线电掩星资料的良好特性使其作为十分重要的观测资料在欧洲 及美国数值天气预报中效果明显. 本文设计了一维弯曲角算子在四维变分资料同化系统中的实现方法和质量控制策略. 详细阐述了一维弯曲角正演算子及其切线性/伴随算子在全球四维变分资料同化系统中的实现步骤和过程, 其中折射率计算中采用Rüeger的折射率最佳平均因子的三项表达式, 计算出更加精确的折射率值. 对2012年8月份的GPS无线电掩星资料进行了观测误差统计, 引入了更加符合四维变分资料同化系统实际情况的一维弯曲角观测误差模型和质量控制策略. 同时, 对比了观测误差统计试验中同化GPS无线电掩星资料的模式背景场和未同化GPS无线电掩星资料的背景场的观测误差统计结果, 发现同化GPS无线电掩星资料之后的观测误差统计结果在全球区域正作用十分明显, 尤其是在中低纬度地区, 高度在10 km 以上的区域观测误差减小十分明显. 关键词： GPS无线电掩星 一维弯曲角算子 四维变分同化系统 质量控制     

Spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks and metacognition for dynamic spectrum sharing between radar and communication system: A review

The massive growth in mobile users and wireless technologies has resulted in increased data traffic and created demand for additional radio spectrum. This growing demand for radio spectrum has resulted in spectrum congestion and mandated the need for coexistence between radar and interfering communication emitters. To address the aforementioned issues, it is critical to review existing policies and evaluate new technologies that can utilize spectrum in an efficient and intelligent manner. Cognitive radio and cognitive radar are two promising technologies that exploit spectrum using dynamic spectrum access techniques. Additionally, introducing the bio-inspired concept ‘metacognition’ in a cognitive process has shown to increase the effectiveness and robustness of the cognitive radio and cognitive radar system. Metacognition is a high-order thinking agent that monitors and regulates the cognition process through a feedback and control process called the perception–action cycle. Extensive research has been done in the field of spectrum sensing in cognitive radio and spectral coexistence between radar and communication systems. This paper provides a detailed classification of spectrum sensing schemes and explains how dynamic spectrum access strategies share the spectrum between radar and communication systems. In addition to this, the fundamentals of cognitive radio, its architecture, spectrum management framework, and metacognition concept in radar are discussed. Furthermore, this paper presents various research issues, challenges, and future research directions associated with spectrum sensing in cognitive radar and dynamic spectrum access strategies in cognitive radar.     

The warm inflationary universe

In the past decade, the importance of dissipation and fluctuation to inflationary dynamics has been realized and has led to a new picture of inflation called warm inflation. Although these phenomena are common to condensed matter systems, for inflation models their importance has only recently started to be appreciated. The article describes the motivation for these phenomena during inflation and then examines their origins from first principles quantum field theory treatments of inflation models. Cosmology today is a data intensive field and this is driving theory to greater precision and predictability. This opens the possibility to consider tests for detecting observational signatures of dissipative processes, which will be discussed. In addition, it will be discussed how particle physics and cosmology are now working in tandem to push the boundaries of our knowledge about fundamental physics.     

石墨烯射频器件研究进展

石墨烯因具有优良的电学特性,在半导体行业中受到广泛关注,特别因其具有超薄的结构和极高的载流子迁移率,为解决短沟道效应提供了可能,并且在高速电子领域具有应用前景.近年来,使用石墨烯作为沟道材料制备射频晶体管及射频电路是发挥石墨烯材料优势的一个重要研究方向.制造高性能的射频器件,首先要制备出高性能的石墨烯材料.在金属衬底上沉积均匀的单层石墨烯材料或者在绝缘衬底上外延生长单层、双层石墨烯材料都是获得高质量石墨烯材料的常用方法.器件结构及工艺流程的设计也是提升晶体管射频性能的重要因素,多指栅结构、T型栅结构、埋栅结构以及自对准工艺的发展能够有效改善石墨烯射频晶体管的截止频率及最大振荡频率.石墨烯晶体管独特的电学特性使得其除了可以构造与其他半导体材料电路相似的射频电路结构,还可以构造出功能完整并且结构更加简单的新型射频电路结构.     

射频驱动下电磁诱导透明窗口的分裂和增益的出现

在Λ型三能级系统的基础上引入两个共振射频场, 通过详细讨论系统的探测吸收特性随两个射频场Rabi频率取不同值时的变化规律, 得出电磁诱导透明(EIT)的分裂规律以及EIT上出现增益现象的产生条件.研究结果表明: 两个射频场对系统所起的控制作用不同, 控制基态精细结构能级之间跃迁的射频场对EIT的分裂起作用, 而控制激发态精细结构能级之间跃迁的射频场不会导致EIT的分裂; 而且, 只有当控制基态精细结构能级之间跃迁的射频场的Rabi频率大于控制激发态精细结构能级之间跃迁的射频场的Rabi频率时, 才能产生EIT与增益相叠加的新特性. 关键词： 射频场 电磁诱导透明 增益 精细结构能级     

Evolution of the Plasma Universe: I. Double Radio Galaxies, Quasars, and Extragalactic Jets

Cosmic plasma physics and our concept of the universe is in a state of rapid revision. This change started with in-situ measurements of plasmas in Earth's ionosphere, cometary atmospheres, and planetary magnetospheres; the translation of knowledge from laboratory experiments to astrophysical phenomena; discoveries of helical and filamentary plasma structures in the Galaxy and double radio sources; and the particle simulation of plasmas not accessible to in-situ measurement. Because of these, Birkeland (field-aligned) currents, double layers, and magnetic-field-aligned electric fields are now known to be far more important to the evolution of space plasma, including the acceleration of charged particles to high energies, than previously thought. This paper and its sequel investigate the observational evidence for a plasma universe threaded by Birkeland currents or filaments. This model of the universe was inspired by the advent of three-dimensional fully electromagnetic particle simulations and their application to the study of laboratory z pinches. This study resulted in totally unexpected phenomena in the data post-processed from the simulation particle, field, and history dumps. In particular, when the simulation parameters were scaled to galactic dimensions, the interaction between pinched filaments led to synchrotron radiation whose emission properties were found to share the following characteristics with double radio galaxies and quasars: power magnitude, isophotal morphology, spectra, brightness along source, polarization, and jets. The evolution of these pinched synchrotron emitting plasmas to elliptical, peculiar, and spiral galaxies by continuing the simulation run is addressed in a sequel paper.     

松材线虫危害下马尾松光谱特征与估测模型研究

松材线虫病又叫松树枯萎病,是由于松材线虫寄生在松树上引起的毁灭性死亡病害,其发病速度快、传播迅速、防治难度大。如何识别松材线虫害并对其程度进行估测,对我国森林资源及生态环境保护具有重要意义。研究表明,马尾松叶绿素、水含量会随着虫害程度的加深逐渐减少,不同虫害程度的马尾松光谱反射率呈现较大差异,因此光谱分析技术在虫害程度估测方面具有独特优势。针对不同虫害程度的马尾松样本,研究了其光谱特征参数的变化规律,以实测光谱特征参数为自变量,样本虫害程度量化值为因变量,利用线性回归方程构建了虫害程度估测模型。该研究在光谱特征指标选择和估测模型方法上作了有价值的探索,对评估松材线虫病害有一定的指导意义,可为相关研究及当地精准农业提供科学支持和应用参考。首先针对不同虫害程度的马尾松样本,研究其在绿光、红光及近红外波段内的光谱反射率变化规律,构建指示样本虫害程度的六个光谱特征参数：绿峰反射率(RGP)、绿峰位置(GPP)、红谷反射率(FRB)、红谷位置(RBP)、红边斜率(RES)、红边位置(REP),分析光谱特征参数与虫害程度的相关性。然后构建虫害程度估测模型,其步骤可描述为：(1)计算健康、轻度、中度、重度四种不同虫害程度下的样本光谱特征参数RGP,FRB和RES;(2)量化健康、轻度、中度、重度四种样本虫害程度值;(3)以实测光谱特征参数为自变量,样本虫害程度量化值为因变量,利用线性回归方程构建虫害程度估测模型。实验中选取重庆市涪陵区永胜林场、冒合寨工区的马尾松林为研究对象,随机选取健康、染病、完全枯死的马尾松植株进行监测。数据采集过程中使用ASD野外光谱分析仪FieldSepc4,采集波段范围为从可见光400 nm到近红外波段1 100 nm处,分辨率为1 nm。共采集了70条马尾松植株的有效光谱数据,根据不同虫害程度,将其划分为健康、轻度、中度、重度和枯死五种类型,并利用Matlab软件进行处理分析,得到其光谱反射率曲线。选择涵盖绿光区(510～580 nm)、红光区(620～680 nm)和近红外区(680～780 nm)三个波段,计算各个波段的光谱特征参数,构建虫害程度估测模型。实验结果表明：(1)针对枯死样本,其“绿峰”和“红谷”特征消失,红边陡峭上升趋势被拉平。其他几种类型样本光谱特征参数RGP,FRB和RES与虫害程度呈负相关,虫害程度越深,其光谱特征参数值越小,即健康(RGP)>轻度(RGP)>中度(RGP)>重度(RGP),健康(FRB)>轻度(FRB)>中度(FRB)＞重度(FRB),健康(RES)>轻度(RES)>中度(RES)>重度(RES)。(2)随着虫害程度加深,光谱特征参数GPP向长波方向移动,即存在“红移”现象,而光谱特征参数RBP和REP向短波方向移动,即存在“蓝移”现象。(3)与一元线性估测模型相比,二元线性估测模型具有较大的相关系数R2,较小的估计误差E以及残差。实验中对两棵马尾松样本虫害程度进行估测,二元线性估测模型的结果为PD=2.990 7和PD=3.679,与实际情况相符。在后续研究中将对1 100~2 500 nm波段特征进行相关性分析。     

FRW Cosmology and Static Extra Dimension with Non-zero Cosmological Constant

In this paper we consider a five dimensional FRW cosmology with static extra dimension and obtain field equations including cosmological constant. We solve field equations and obtain the scale factor, energy density, pressures, and deceleration parameter. The constant coefficients play very important rule in our results, so that they obtained by comparing with observational data.     

Gamma-ray bursts in the Swift-Fermi era: Confronting data with theory

With the prompt slewing capability of the X-ray and UV-optical telescopes onboard the Swift mission and with the gamma-ray large area telescope onboard the Fermi mission, gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are now accessible in a full time window and in all electromagnetic wavelengths for the events. Many observational breakthroughs have been made in recent years. I present here a brief review of some observational breakthroughs with the two missions, focusing on how these breakthroughs have revolutionized our understanding of the nature of this phenomenon and puzzles as well as challenges of confronting the conventional models with data.     

The Zoo of neutron stars

In these lecture notes, I briefly discuss the present day situation and new discoveries in astrophysics of neutron stars focusing on isolated objects. The latter include soft gamma repeaters, anomalous x-ray pulsars, central compact objects in supernova remnants, the Magnificent Seven, and rotating radio transients. In the last part of the paper, I describe available tests of cooling curves of neutron stars and discuss different additional constraints that can help to confront theoretical calculations of cooling with observational data. The text was submitted by the author in English.