Status and perspectives of indirect and direct dark matter searches

In this review article the current status of particle dark matter is addressed. We discuss the main theoretical extensions of the standard model which allow to explain dark matter in terms of a (yet undiscovered) elementary particle. We then discuss the theoretical predictions for the searches of particle dark matter: direct detection in low-background underground experiments and indirect detection of neutrinos, gamma-rays and antimatter with terrestrial and space-borne detectors. Attention will be placed also on the discussion of the uncertainties, mainly of astrophysical origin, which affect the theoretical predictions. The constraints placed by these searches on the extensions of the standard models will be briefly addressed.     

Detecting gravitational waves from accreting neutron stars

The gravitational waves emitted by neutron stars carry unique information about their structure and composition. Direct detection of these gravitational waves, however, is a formidable technical challenge. In a recent study we quantified the hurdles facing searches for gravitational waves from the known accreting neutron stars, given the level of uncertainty that exists regarding spin and orbital parameters. In this paper we reflect on our conclusions, and issue an open challenge to the theoretical community to consider how searches should be designed to yield the most astrophysically interesting upper limits. With this in mind we examine some more optimistic emission scenarios involving spin-down, and show that there are technically feasible searches, particularly for the accreting millisecond pulsars, that might place meaningful constraints on torque mechanisms. We finish with a brief discussion of prospects for indirect detection.     

Gamma-ray bursts — the current status

The field of gamma ray burst astronomy is reviewed with emphasis on the results obtained since 1978 by numerous spacecraft experiments. Burst energy spectra are now known to display complex and rapidly varying shapes; however, the detection of line emission poses both experimental and theoretical problems. The log N-log S curves, when properly corrected for instrumental effects, are substantially in agreement at high intensities, although the shape of the curves is inconsistent with the observed spatial distribution of the bursts. Precise localizations using the method of arrival time analysis between widely separated spacecraft have given small error boxes which have in many cases been searched down to magnitude 23.5 and beyond. The results of these searches, as well as those of archibal and real-time optical searches, are reviewed.     

Improved detection of faint streaks based on a streak-like spatial filter

This paper presents an algorithm to detect very faint object streaks on CCD images acquired with an optical system. The proposed detection method uses image filters simulating the geometrical form and orientation of possible streaks on the CCD image. The method searches for a matching between streak and filter evaluating the convolutions of the image with all possible filters. Based on the statistics of the image background a threshold is applied in order to accept, respectively reject, the possible streak candidates. The detection probabilities and the effect of different parameter settings are estimated with tests on simulated images, while subframes of real images are used to evaluate the applicability of the algorithm to real cases. The detection probability of this method depends on the length and on the signal-to-noise ratio of the streak. For long streaks, a detection for signal-to-noise values around 0.5 is achieved. The further characterization of the detected streak (e.g. centroid and length), which is not performed in the current algorithm, and the reduction of the computation time, which is relatively high for full acquired frames, as well as possible improvements are briefly addressed.     

基于SA*的CE-3巡视器机械臂就位探测任务规划

针对机械臂规划方法无法满足CE-3巡视器成像及探测光照约束、避碰及机械臂位形切换次数等约束的不足,提出一种基于SA^*的月面巡视器机械臂就位探测任务规划算法。该算法在机械臂的工作空间进行搜索,根据星历计算太阳光照以解决光照约束,通过层次包围盒高效准确地进行机械臂碰撞检测以满足机械臂与环境不存在干涉的约束条件,通过相邻运动行为的代价削减保证规划后机械臂位形切换次数最少。最终通过月面巡视器在轨任务结果验证该算法的可行性。     

中国区域电离层异常数据野值检测

针对中国区域连续运行参考站接收机野值会干扰星基增强系统（SBAS）电离层异常事件提取的问题，提出了一种基于电离层垂直延迟时间梯度的野值检测方法。首先，介绍了电离层延迟数据的提取方法；然后，论述了依据野值和电离层异常的不同时空相关特性进行野值检测的方法，并用单双频定位误差结果验证了野值检测的正确性；最后，对检测结果进行了分析。结果表明:该方法可有效区分野值和电离层异常；在中国大陆构造环境监测网络200多个参考站中，野值检测所剔除的参考站数目在3~10个，对电离层穿透点空间分布的影响在可接受范围内。      

Antideuterons as an indirect dark matter signature: Si(Li) detector development and a GAPS balloon mission

The General AntiParticle Spectrometer (GAPS) is a novel approach for indirect dark matter searches that exploits cosmic antideuterons. GAPS complements existing and planned direct dark matter searches as well as other indirect techniques, probing a different and unique region of parameter space in a variety of proposed dark matter models. The GAPS method involves capturing antiparticles into a target material with the subsequent formation of an excited exotic atom. The exotic atom decays with the emission of atomic X-rays and pions from the nuclear annihilation, which uniquely identifies the captured antiparticle. This technique has been verified through the accelerator testing at KEK in 2004 and 2005. The prototype flight is scheduled from Hokkaido, Japan in 2011, preparatory for a long duration balloon flight from the Antarctic in 2014.     

Search for methane on Mars: Observations,interpretation and future work

The detection of methane on Mars has been reported by three different teams in 2004. Two of them used ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy in the near infrared range. The third one used the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer aboard Mars Express. Among the data sets, two of them reported a mean CH₄ mixing ratio of 10 ppb. However, these are marginal detections, which should be considered as tentative. The third (ground-based) data set, unpublished so far, seems to show evidence for strong localized sources of CH₄, corresponding to mixing ratios as high as 250 ppb in some cases. However, the high values reported in 2003 were not confirmed by subsequent observations performed by the PFS instrument in 2004. In the absence of a refereed publication, it is difficult to judge if the high values are indeed correct. Assuming that they are, the lack of their confirmation by the PFS could have several explanations, including, among others, localized transient vents, or time variations in the methane destruction rate. A biogenic source was first suggested for the martian methane. However, later studies showed that an abiotic source such as hydrogeology can be just as effective. Further dedicated observations are obviously needed to firm up the detection and distribution of methane on Mars.     

Statistical study of the detection of solar protons of highest energies at 20 January 2005

On January 20, 2005, 7:02–7:04 UT the Aragats Multichannel Muon Monitor (AMMM) registered enhancement of the high energy secondary muon flux (energy threshold ∼5 GeV). The enhancement, lasting 3 min, has statistical significance of ∼4σ and is related to the X7.1 flare seen by the GOES satellite and the ground level enhancement detected by the world-wide network of neutron monitors and by muon detectors. The most probable proton energy corresponding to the measured 5 GeV muon flux is within 23–30 GeV. Due to upmost importance of the detection of solar particles of highest energies in presented paper we perform detailed statistical analysis of the detected peak. The statistical technique introduced in the paper is also appropriate for the searches of sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays.     

A review of recent results on cosmic gamma-ray bursts

The results obtained on cosmic gamma-ray bursts over the last several years are reviewed and compared with the older “historical” results. Fine time resolution measurements of burster light curves continue to reveal structure at the millisecond and sub-millisecond level, suggesting a compact object origin. Similarly, the evolution of the low energy X-ray spectra of bursts towards shapes consistent with 1–2 keV blackbodies may be interpreted in terms of a neutron star origin, as can the continuing detection of absorption and emission features. The statistical evidence, however, argues strongly for an isotropic distribution which has been completely sampled. To reconcile this with galactic neutron stars requires the assumption that they are Population II objects. Counterpart searches have evolved to the point where they may be carried out within days of an event, and a soft X-ray source has now been detected in the error box of one recent burst.     

Investigation of the Mars Express HRSC color channel calibration

The High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) onboard the Mars Express spacecraft in orbit about Mars has four detector channels dedicated to produce images in four spectral channels. Utilizing these spectrophotometric data requires understanding the instrument radiometric calibration and other photometric properties of the data. We present here some results of our investigation into the HRSC color data characteristics. This covers comparison of HRSC measurements with those of telescopes and the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l’Eau, les Glaces et l’Activité (OMEGA) instrument, also on Mars Express. We also investigate the dependence of HRSC Color measurements on solar phase angle and altitude of the Mars surface. These results confirm and extend our earlier findings [McCord, T.B., Adams, J.B., Bellucci, G., Combe, J.-Ph., Hansen, G., Hoffman, H., Jaumann, R., Lumme, K., Neukum, G., Pinet, P., Poulet, F., the HRSC Co-I Team, The Mars Express high Resolution Stereo Camera spectrophotometric data: characteristics and science analysis. J. Geophys. Res. 112, E6, 2007.]. A basic finding from our study is that there are nearly constant offsets between the I/F value derived from the HRSC data and those determined from OMEGA and groundbased telescope measurements, especially in the HRSC red bandpass. These offsets are nearly independent of solar phase angle and Mars surface altitude but are considerably larger for the one comparison at Phobos we were able to make. Several hypotheses could explain these effects: atmospheric scattering, surface photometric effects, shift of the spatial registration or calibration. All these possibilities were investigated.     

基于RGPO的编队ECAVs协同航迹欺骗

基于动力学模型分析了多机协同控制下的航迹欺骗技术,利用配备有电子欺骗技术的电子战飞行器(ECAVs, Electronic Combat Air Vehicles),对敌方的防空系统中的雷达网实施电子攻击行动来达到欺骗干扰效果.对搭载距离拖引干扰(RGPO, Range Gate Pull-Off)技术的ECAVs在防空雷达网中的作战运用及协同策略进行了研究,空间模型包括单架ECAV对单部雷达以及多架ECAV对雷达组网两种情形.基于ECAV、雷达和虚假航迹点三者共线关系,削减搜索空间,解决动力约束下ECAVs轨迹规划约束最优化难题,算法高效快捷,可实时完成ECAVs轨迹规划.      

Photon counting detector for space debris laser tracking and lunar laser ranging

We are reporting on a design, construction and performance of solid state photon counting detector package which has been designed for laser tracking of space debris. The detector has been optimized for top photon detection efficiency and detection delay stability. The active area of the commercially available avalanche photodiode manufactured on Si (SAP500 supplied by Laser Components, Inc.) is circular with a diameter of 500 μm. The newly designed control circuit enables to operate the detection sensor at a broad range of biases 5–50 V above its breakdown voltage of 125 V. This permits to select a right trade-off between photon detection efficiency, timing resolution and dark count rate. The photon detection efficiency exceeds 70% at the wavelength of 532 nm. This is the highest photon detection efficiency ever reported for such a device. The timing properties of the detector have been investigated in detail. The timing resolution is better than 80 ps r.m.s, the detection delay is stable within units of picoseconds over several hours of operation. The detection delay stability in a sense of time deviation of 800 fs has been achieved. The temperature change of the detection delay is 0.5 ps/K. The detector has been tested as an echo signal detector in laser tracking of space debris at the satellite laser station in Graz, Austria. Its application in lunar laser ranging is under consideration by several laser stations.     

基于遗传算法的多学科设计优化分解方法

通过分析现有的多学科设计优化中任务分解方法(枚举法、聚类识别法和分支定界法)的特点,指出了现有方法的不足.提出了将遗传算法应用于优化任务的分解问题,给出了具体的算法描述和详细的任务分解算法流程,并分析总结给出了该算法的优点:①遗传算法对搜索空间没有任何要求,因此对函数关系矩阵(FDT,Function Dependence Table)也没有任何要求;②遗传算法是一种随机迭代方法,不需要估计初值;③遗传算法同时对一组解进行搜索,大大提高了搜索速度,在保证计算精度的基础上得到全局最优解.最后还以齿轮减速器优化问题为例,将遗传算法应用于上述问题的任务分解过程,得到了较为满意的分解结果,并从计算方案次数的角度定量地比较了所提出方法与现有方法的区别,从而证明了该方法的正确性和优越性.     

Progress on CASEarth Satellite Development

CASEarth satellite is the first space Earth science satellite produced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The satellite has three payloads:high-definition Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (TIS), high-definition Glimmer Imager for Urbanization (GIU), and high-definition Multispectral Imager for Inshore (MII). These payloads are used to explore the urbanization level and residential layout, the coastal ecosystem, and new methods and approaches of environmental detection during night-time and even under conditions of polar aurora and provide scientific evidence for the refined depiction of human traces. The CASEarth satellite can provide space observation data for A Project on Big Earth Data Science Engineering as well as scientific and application studies inside and outside China.      

Background-sensitive event selection in the search for gamma-ray sources

Poor angular resolution of present day gamma ray telescopes (1° at 100 MEV) together with the complicated gamma ray sky structures at compareable angular extents and poor statistics available necessitate the selection of those gammas which will increase the observable signal from a suspected source. A method for such a selection using the pre-known time signature of the source as its signal, has been developed (Özel and Mayer-Haβelwander, 1983). In an iterative procedure based on the improvement of source signal, generalized zones around the source are defined, from which gamma rays should be accepted to construct the optimum light curve of the source. These zones depend on the energy of the probed gamma rays, on the spatial structure and intensity of the background around the source, on the (estimated and/or tentative) intetnsity of the source and finally on the observing instrument's angular and energy response functions. The method, when applied to simulated and observed COS-B data demonstrated its feasibility and merits over the previonsly used circular event-acceptance cones method which was the basis of searches for gamma ray emission from radio pulsars (see for example Kniffen et al., 1974; Ögelman, et al. 1976; Kanbach, et al., 1977; and references therein). Present method does not introduce “trials” which usually reduce the significance of the results obtained, fully accounts the available knowledge on the topography of gamma ray sky, makes use of all the information about the sky, source and the instrument and therefore is the proper way of handling gamma ray data in pulsar-type searches.Presently, method is applied in the analyses of COS-B data in the context of searches for gamma ray emitting X-ray and radio pulsars. Results will be published elsewhere.     

On the progress in Odin’s hunt for molecules

Glimpses of new results from Odin’s fourth to sixth years of operation are presented: the first detection of interstellar O₂; the high water abundance in the M 42/Orion KL interface region; new results from the Orion KL spectral scan, including considerably improved knowledge of source physics and chemistry; the constant H₂O/HCO⁺ abundance ratio observed in diffuse, spiral arm clouds; mapping of shock-enhanced water emission in some nearby bipolar outflows; meaningful upper limits to the water abundance in nearby starburst galaxies; new mapping of the water emissions and absorptions in the Galactic Centre region – Sgr A; abundant self-absorbing water observed in the circumstellar envelope of R Doradus; very successful observations of many comets – including Tempel 1 (the target of Deep Impact) and recent observations of an outburst in the disintegrating Comet 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann 3; and finally a note on our Odin searches for primordial molecules – potential structure probes during the dark ages of the evolution of the Universe.     

空间积分声光相关器

论述空间积分声光相关器的系统设计，给出了单器件和双器件声光信号处理器的光学系统，提出了两种新型的外差检测方法，并推志了处理器输出的数学模型，利用这两种检测方法分别对１３位巴克码ＢＰＳＫ（二进制相移键控）信号进行了相关检测，得出了与理论分析相一致的实验结果。     

Space Weather applications with CDPP/AMDA

AMDA (Automated Multi-Dataset Analysis), a new data analysis service, recently opened at the French Plasma Physics Data Center (CDPP). AMDA is developed according to the Virtual Observatory paradigm: it is a web-based facility for on-line analyses of space physics. Data may come from its own local database as well as remote ones. This tool allows the user to perform classical manipulations such as data visualization, parameter computation and data extraction. AMDA also offers innovative functionalities such as event searches on the content of the data in either visual or automated ways, generation, use and management of time tables (event lists). The general functionalities of AMDA are presented in the context of Space Weather with example scientific use cases.     

Semi-automatic determination of the Azores Current axis using satellite altimetry: Application to the study of the current variability during 1995–2006

Satellite altimetry has been widely used to study the variability of the ocean currents such as the Azores Current (AzC) in the North Atlantic. Most analyses are performed over the region that encloses the current, thus being somehow affected by other oceanographic signals, e.g., eddies. In this study, a new approach for extracting the axis of a zonal current solely based on satellite altimetry is presented. This is a semi-automatic procedure that searches for the maximum values of the gradient of absolute dynamic topography (ADT), using the geostrophic velocity as auxiliary information. The advantage of this approach is to allow the analyses to be performed over a buffer centered on the current axis instead of using a wider region. It is here applied to the AzC for the period June 1995–October 2006.