Optical and X-ray aspects of quasars

We review the present knowledge on the cosmological evolution of quasars, by discussing some of the recent results obtained from studies of optically selected objects. Despite the fast development of prism survey tecniques, the color selection still appears to be the best tecnique for constructing the complete samples which are necessary for statistical studies. It is shown, however, that even the best available complete samples of quasars selected on the basis of ultraviolet excess (z < 2.2) are not sufficient to univocally determine the “correct” evolutionary model. Moreover, some preliminary results suggest that the evolution law derived from quasars with m_B<20 and z<2.2 can not be extrapolated to fainter magnitudes and higher redshifts. On the basis of what is known today about the optical and X-ray properties of quasars, we then discuss some of teh possible results, relevant to cosmology, which can be achieved with future coordinated optical and X-ray observations of quasars.     

X-ray spectroscopy and variability of AGN detected in the 2 Ms Chandra Deep Field-North Survey

We investigate the nature of the faint X-ray source population through X-ray spectroscopy and variability analyses of 136 active galactic nuclei (AGN) detected in the 2 Ms Chandra Deep Field-North Survey with >200 background-subtracted 0.5–8.0 keV counts [F_{0.5–8.0 keV} = (1.4−200) × 10⁻¹⁵ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹]. Our preliminary spectral analyses yield median spectral parameters of Γ = 1.61 and intrinsic N_H = 6.2 × 10²¹ cm⁻² (z = 1 assumed when no redshift available) when the AGN spectra are fitted with a simple absorbed power-law model. However, considerable spectral complexity is apparent (e.g., reflection, partial covering) and must be taken into account to model the data accurately. Moreover, the choice of spectral model (i.e., free vs. fixed photon index) has a pronounced effect on the derived JVH distribution and, to a lesser extent, the X-ray luminosity distribution. We also find that among the 136 AGN, 10 (≈7%) show significant Fe K emission-line features with equivalent widths in the range 0.1–1.3 keV. Two of these emission-line AGN could potentially be Compton thick (i.e., Γ < 1.0 and large Fe K equivalent width). Finally, we find that 81 (≈60%) of the 136 AGN show signs of variability, and that this fraction increases significantly (≈80–90%) when better photon statistics are available.     

MESSENGER and the Chemistry of Mercury’s Surface

The instrument suite on the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft is well suited to address several of Mercury’s outstanding geochemical problems. A combination of data from the Gamma-Ray and Neutron Spectrometer (GRNS) and X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS) instruments will yield the surface abundances of both volatile (K) and refractory (Al, Ca, and Th) elements, which will test the three competing hypotheses for the origin of Mercury’s high bulk metal fraction: aerodynamic drag in the early solar nebula, preferential vaporization of silicates, or giant impact. These same elements, with the addition of Mg, Si, and Fe, will put significant constraints on geochemical processes that have formed the crust and produced any later volcanism. The Neutron Spectrometer sensor on the GRNS instrument will yield estimates of the amount of H in surface materials and may ascertain if the permanently shadowed polar craters have a significant excess of H due to water ice. A comparison of the FeO content of olivine and pyroxene determined by the Mercury Atmospheric and Surface Composition Spectrometer (MASCS) instrument with the total Fe determined through both GRNS and XRS will permit an estimate of the amount of Fe present in other forms, including metal and sulfides.     

应用BP神经网络针对高通量质子事件的通量数值预报

质子事件的爆发与太阳软X射线辐射有着很强的相关性,利用GOES卫星的1～8 (A)波段和0.5～4 (A)波段的软X射线数据,选取一些特征参量验证该相关性并应用到质子事件短期预报中.在当前质子事件传输物理机制不完全明确的情况下,在现有的预报质子事件有无的模型基础上,利用BP神经网络,根据软X射线通量水平等预测事件质子峰值通量水平,再对训练后的网络进行检验,检验预测所得结果与实际探测值误差小于一个量级,具备一定实用意义.      

飞机结构X射线裂纹图像智能评定

飞机结构X 射线图像评定过程存在复杂背景下裂纹分割不准、检出难等问题。基于高效层聚合网络提出一种飞机结构X 射线裂纹图像智能评定模型（ELAN-Seg）,将ELAN-Seg 模型和DeepLabv3+模型的射线图像裂纹分割能力进行对比,结合图像处理技术对模型分割的裂纹长度进行评估,利用飞机强度试验及外场维护过程采集的X 射线图像对模型进行验证。结果表明：分割的最小裂纹长度约为3 mm,ELAN-Seg 模型对复杂背景射线图像裂纹分割更加准确,裂纹漏检率小于3.8%,该模型具有工程适用性。     

浅谈陶瓷基复合材料无损检测方法及其进展

陶瓷基复合材料由于其具有耐高温、密度低、抗氧化性好等多种优良特性目前已广泛地应用于航空航天领域。采用无损检测方法对陶瓷基复合材料进行相关检测对保证材料产品质量以及提高产品使用的可靠性等都具有重要意义。综述了陶瓷基复合材料无损检测发展现状,阐述了太赫兹、X射线、工业CT、红外热成像、超声波及声发射技术等常用陶瓷基复合材料检测手段的原理并介绍了其在陶瓷基复合材料无损检测方面的应用实例。     

C/ C-PAA 与C/ C-FA 弯曲性能对比

通过PIP工艺制备了C/C-PAA、C/C-FA复合材料,对PAA、FA裂解碳的XRD、浸渍效果以及C/C-PAA和C/C-FA的弯曲强度进行了分析.结果表明:PAA裂解碳的炭质量、浸渍效果较好,C/C-PAA弯曲强度比C/C-FA弯曲强度高34.9％,弯曲模量对比不明显.     

高浓度颗粒流冲刷条件下硅橡胶和EPDM绝热材料动态烧蚀实验

利用X射线实时诊断技术(RTR)针对硅橡胶和EPDM绝热材料,开展了高浓度颗粒流冲刷条件下动态烧蚀实验研究,成功获得了绝热材料烧蚀表面退移过程的序列图像。研究表明:(1)在本实验条件下,硅橡胶绝热材料颗粒冲刷区域的瞬时烧蚀率在0～2s内迅速增加,2s之后瞬时烧蚀率略有下降并趋于稳定;EPDM绝热材料颗粒冲刷区域的瞬时烧蚀率在0～1s内迅速增加,1s之后瞬时烧蚀率趋于稳定;(2)相同冲刷条件下硅橡胶绝热材料抗颗粒流冲刷性能比EPDM绝热材料差,硅橡胶绝热材料不适合在高过载发动机中应用;(3)高浓度颗粒流冲刷条件下绝热材料的烧蚀率比常规条件下要严重的多,其机理主要是高温颗粒流对炭化层有强烈的机械剥蚀效应和热化学烧蚀作用。实验结果对硅橡胶和EPDM绝热材料烧蚀机理研究及烧蚀建模具有重要参考价值。     

脉冲星导航中最优脉冲星组合选取方法

分析了X射线脉冲星导航原理,发现脉冲星的位置和脉冲到达时间(Time of Arrival,TOA)的测量误差直接影响导航精度.为优选导航脉冲星组合,在误差协方差分析的基础上,提出了一种导航脉冲星组合优选方法.该方法分别定义了优选指标位置精度因子(Positioning Dilution of Precision,PDOP)和脉冲星优选指标(Pulsars Select Criteria,PSC),不仅考虑了脉冲星空间位置分布,还考虑了测量噪声差异对导航误差的影响.最后以25颗信号品质较好的脉冲星为例,仿真验证了所提方法的有效性.     

Stellar Coronal Astronomy

Coronal astronomy is by now a fairly mature discipline, with a quarter century having gone by since the detection of the first stellar X-ray coronal source (Capella), and having benefitted from a series of major orbiting observing facilities. Serveral observational characteristics of coronal X-ray and EUV emission have been solidly established through extensive observations, and are by now common, almost text-book, knowledge. At the same time the implications of coronal astronomy for broader astrophysical questions (e.g.Galactic structure, stellar formation, stellar structure, etc.) have become appreciated. The interpretation of stellar coronal properties is however still often open to debate, and will need qualitatively new observational data to book further progress. In the present review we try to recapitulate our view on the status of the field at the beginning of a new era, in which the high sensitivity and the high spectral resolution provided by Chandra and SMM-Newton will address new questions which were not accessible before. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.