Comparison of diurnal,seasonal and latitudinal effect of MUF VR and NmF2 VR during some solar cycle epochs

The diurnal and seasonal changes of the variability (VR) of Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF) are compared with those of peak electron density (NmF2) at Ibadan (7.4°N, 3.9°E, 6°S dip) in the African sector. Also compared is the latitudinal effect on both characteristics by combining data from Singapore (1.3°N, 103.8°E, 17.6°S dip) in the East Asian sector and Slough (51.5°N, 359.4°E, 66.5°S dip) in the European sector. MUF VR is found to be about half of NmF2 VR at all the hours and seasons and during the solar cycle epochs considered for the three stations. While nighttime MUF VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during both low and moderate solar activities and in September Equinox and December Solstice during high solar activity, nighttime NmF2 VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during high solar activity and greater at the equinoxes during low and moderate solar activities. This signifies a shift in nighttime MUF peak VR from the middle six months during low and moderate solar activities to the last half of the year during high solar activity. Daytime VR of both characteristics are not observed to show any seasonal variation. MUF VR and that of NmF2 are found to increase and decrease alternately with the Zurich sunspot number (Rz) for Ibadan and Singapore. For Slough, the VR of both characteristics increases with Rz during the first half of the day. It then increases and decreases alternately with Rz during the remaining hours of the day. While nighttime MUF VR decreases with latitude, just like nighttime NmF2 VR, no latitudinal effect is found for daytime VR of both characteristics.     

The response of African equatorial foF2 to geomagnetic storms: Comparison between observations and IRI-2007 predictions

This study examines the response of the African equatorial ionospheric foF2 to different levels of geomagnetic storms, using the foF2 hourly data for the year 1989 from Ouagadougou (12.4°N, 1.5°W, dip: 2.8°N). The study also compares the observed data for the selected storm periods with the latest IRI model (IRI-2007). The foF2 values (both observed and predicted) show typical features of daytime peak and post-midnight minimum peak. The response of the ionospheric foF2 over Ouagadougou to storms events, during the night-time and post-midnight hours indicates negative responses of the ionospheric foF2, while that of the daytime hours indicates positive responses. For the investigation on the variability of the observed foF2 with respect to IRI-2007 model, with the exception of the analysis of the 20–22, October, 1989 data, where a midday peak was also observed on the first day, this study reveals two characteristic daily foF2 variability peaks: post-midnight and evening peaks. In addition, for all the geomagnetic storms considered, the URSI and CCIR coefficients of the IRI-2007 model show reasonable correspondence with each other, except for some few discrepancies. For instance, the event of 28–30 August, 1989 shows comparatively higher variability for the URSI coefficient, and at the foF2 peak values, the event of 20–22 October, 1989 shows that the CCIR coefficient is more susceptible to foF2 variability than the URSI coefficient. This study is aimed at providing African inputs for the future improvement of the IRI model.     

Effects of RRA Treatments on Microstructures and Properties of a New High-strength Aluminum-Lithium Alloy-2A97

A new high strength 2A97 Al-Cu-Li-X alloy was subjected to triple-aging of retrogression and re-aging treatments (RRA). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile tests were used to investigate the effects of RRA treatment on the microstructures and properties. DSC test reveals the reversion temperature range of the strengthening δ' (Al3Li)phase. The results show that the microstructure consists of δ' (Al3Li) phase, T1 (Al2CuLi) phase and θ"/θ'(Al2Cu) phase for 2A97 alloy treated by a triple-aging ora retrogression and re-aging treatment in the following order: (1) at 165 ℃×30 min, (2) at 220 ℃ or 240 ℃×15 min, (3) at 165 ℃×24 h. The plastic deformation, incorporated into the treatment after secondary high temperature aging, promotes the T1 precipitation during final re-aging. The tensile properties of the alloy treated by the retrogression and re-aging treatment reach the peak level of alloy single-aged at 165 ℃ in T6 temper.     

Magnetic and Optical Properties of the TiO2-Co-TiO2 Composite Films Grown by Magnetron Sputtering

The TiO2-Co-TiO2 sandwich films were successfully grown on glass and silicon substrata making alternate use of radio frequency reactive magnetron sputtering and direct current magnetron sputtering. The structures and properties of these films were identified with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra and X-ray photoemission spectra (XPS). It is shown that the sandwich film consists of two anatase TiO2 films with an embedded Co nano-film. The fact that, when the Co nano-film thickens, varied red shifts appear in optical absorption spectra may well be explained by the quantum confinement and tunnel effects. As for magnetic properties, the saturation magnetization, remnant magnetic induction and coercivity vary with the thickness of the Co nano-films. Moreover, the Co nano-film has a critical thickness of about 8.6 nm, which makes the coercivity of the composite film reach the maximum of about 1413 Oe.     

二硅化钼发体件的热弯研究

研究了高温烧结发热体坯体的烧结工艺对热弯的影响,使用SEM观察高温弯曲试样的表面形貌及成分分析,通过表面防护的保护措施,防止高温烧结时发热体坯体的渗碳发生。结果表明,保护性高温烧结工艺的发热体可进行热态弯曲成形,表面没有发现裂纹,试样中的气孔已明显球化。     

LY2铝合金激光冲击处理实验研究

分析激光冲击处理技术及相对于传统强化方式的优点,针对LY2航空铝合金材料,设计进行试件激光冲击处理实验,通过对激光冲击处理前后材料性能的测试,分析激光冲击处理对LY2铝合金材料疲劳寿命、强度性能的影响.     

对流辐射板抑制涡扇发动机热喷流红外辐射的实验

用对流辐射换热板来降低混合排气涡扇发动机热喷流的红外辐射,并在涡扇发动机热喷流模拟实验台上进行了实验研究.测量了安装对流辐射换热板前后,轴对称喷管的热喷流的温度分布,轴对称喷管和二元喷管的热喷流在3～5 μm波段的红外辐射强度.结果表明:对流辐射换热板可以降低热喷流高温核心区的温度约10%,降低涡扇发动机热喷流的红外辐射强度约20%～30%.      

Assessment of depth to magnetic sources using high resolution aeromagnetic data of some parts of the Lower Benue Trough and adjoining areas,Southeast Nigeria

High resolution airborne magnetic data acquired between 2005 and 2010 were used to determine depth to shallow and deep magnetic sources in some parts of Southeastern Nigeria. Various depth estimation methods such as standard Euler deconvolution (SED), source parameter imaging (SPI), spectral depth analysis (SDA) and two dimensional (2-D) forward modeling were applied. Results obtained from SED, SPI and models of profiles 1 and 2 indicate that the Abakaliki Anticlinorium (AA) and Ikom-Mamfe Rift (IMR) regions are dominated by short wavelength magnetic anomalies caused by extensive tectonic events. The SED map showed depth to shallow and deep magnetic sources ranging from ~ 16.6 to ~ 338.3 m and ~ 394.3 to ~ 5748.1 m respectively. Likewise, depth estimates from the SPI map varies from ~ 147.1 to ~ 554.2 m (shallow magnetic sources) and ~ 644.2 to ~ 6141.6 m (deep magnetic sources). The result obtained from SDA revealed depths to deep magnetic basement in the range of ~ 769 to ~ 6666 m with an average of ~ 3449 m. Also, it showed that depth to shallow magnetic sources vary between ~ 119 and ~ 434 m with mean of ~ 269 m. The 2-D forward modelling showed maximum depth values of ~ 4700, ~4600 and ~ 6500 m in the models of profiles 1, 2 and 3 within the Anambra Basin (AB), Afikpo Syncline (AS) and Calabar Flank (CF) respectively. Generally, from all the various methods applied the results indicate that AB, AS and CF are dominated by long wavelength anomalies. The 2-D models indicated that the basement framework is undulant. Also, depth estimates involving the various methods used in this study correlate strongly with each other in the AB, AS and CF geological regions.     

The longitudinal and hemispherical variation of the IRI’s foF2 estimates at ±40° dip angle around 95°E and 130°E sector under fluctuating solar flux conditions

The deviation of the IRI estimates of the monthly mean foF2 in the low mid latitude of 95°E–130°E longitude sector is investigated using simultaneous ground measurements at four stations during 2010–2014. The stations form two conjugate pairs of the same geo-magnetic latitude at two fixed longitudes enabling direct longitudinal and hemispheric comparison. The temporal, spatial, seasonal and solar activity variations of the deviations are discussed with reference to the longitudinal density variation in the transition region between low and midlatitudes. Cases of underestimation/overestimation as well as good estimate are noted. Underestimation (overestimation) in the daytime and overestimation (underestimation) in the nighttime of 95°E (130°E) are common. The longitudinal difference in the measurements suggests negative (positive) foF2 gradient from west to east in daytime (nighttime). In contrast, the IRI predicts flatter or increasing longitudinal profiles from 95°E to 130°E. The local time and longitudinal variation of the IRI deviations can be attributed to the combined role of the longitudinal EIA structure as well as midlatitude zonal wind-magnetic declination effect. The station/season independent deviations relate the role of solar activity representation in the IRI. These deviations may be attributed to the weak IRI response to rapid solar flux fluctuations.