Measuring clock jumps using pulsar timing

In this paper,we investigate the statistical signal-processing algorithm to measure the instant local clock jump from the timing data of multiple pulsars.Our algorithm is based on the framework of Bayesian statistics.In order to make the Bayesian algorithm applicable with limited computational resources,we dedicated our efforts to the analytic marginalization of irrelevant parameters.We found that the widely used parameter for pulsar timing systematics,the"Efac"parameter,can be analytically marginalized.This reduces the Gaussian likelihood to a function very similar to the Student’s t-distribution.Our iterative method to solve the maximum likelihood estimator is also explained in the paper.Using pulsar timing data from the Yunnan Kunming 40-m radio telescope,we demonstrate the application of the method,where 80-ns level precision for the clock jump can be achieved.Such a precision is comparable to that of current commercial time transferring service using satellites.We expect that the current method could help developing the autonomous pulsar time scale.     

Measuring clock jumps using pulsar timing

The Giant Radio Array for Neutrino Detection(GRAND) is a planned large-scale observatory of ultra-high-energy(UHE) cosmic particles, with energies exceeding 10~8 Ge V. Its goal is to solve the long-standing mystery of the origin of UHE cosmic rays. To do this, GRAND will detect an unprecedented number of UHE cosmic rays and search for the undiscovered UHE neutrinos and gamma rays associated to them with unmatched sensitivity. GRAND will use large arrays of antennas to detect the radio emission coming from extensive air showers initiated by UHE particles in the atmosphere. Its design is modular: 20 separate, independent sub-arrays, each of 10000 radio antennas deployed over 10000 km~2. A staged construction plan will validate key detection techniques while achieving important science goals early. Here we present the science goals, detection strategy, preliminary design, performance goals, and construction plans for GRAND.