A Simple Mechanism for Generating a Geomagnetic Field

On the basis of the ideal gas model, the polarization of charges in the mantle was obtained, a physical and mathematical model was constructed, and estimated calculations of the dipole mode of the Earth’s magnetic field were performed, taking into account the speed of its angular rotation, the parameters of density and temperature, the chemical composition, the ionization potential, the dielectric constant and the percentage of the main chemical compounds of the mantle substance.

Dependence of Gravity Induced Absorption Changes on the Earth’s Magnetic Field as Measured during Parabolic Flight Campaigns

Various spectroscopic experiments performed on the AIRBUS ZERO G—located in Bordeaux, France—in the years 2002 to 2012 exhibit minute optical reflection/absorption changes (GIACs) as a result of gravitational changes between 0 and 1.8 g in various biological species such as maize, oats, Arabidopsis and particularly Phycomyces sporangiophores. During a flight day, the AIRBUS ZERO G conducts 31 parabolas, each of which lasts about three minutes including a period of 22 s of weightlessness. So far, we participated in 11 parabolic flight campaigns including more than 1000 parabolas performing various kinds of experiments. During our campaigns, we observed an unexplainable variability of the measuring signals (GIACs). Using GPS-positioning systems and three dimensional magnetic field sensors, these finally were traced back to the changing earth’s magnetic field associated with the various flight directions. This is the first time that the interaction of gravity and the Earth’ magnetic field in the primary induction process in living system has been observed.

Mechanisms of Avian Magnetic Orientation

Among the most fascinating mysteries of life is the interaction between biological systems and the earth＇s magnetic field. Although earth＇s magnetism may have an under appreciated role in biological interpretations, it has been most extensively studied in the processes of avian orientation and migration. Many species of bird are known to have behavioral responses to the earth＇s and artificial magnetic fields. These responses may be mediated by a number of potential magneto-biochemical processes. The two most commonly investigated include a magnetosensitive magnetite rich region in the upper beak area and a photo/magnetoreception process in the eyes of various bird species. In addition to external magnetic stimuli, recent findings in visually restricted birds have described a hemispherically lateralized interpretation of this information within the brain. Even with these findings, a considerable amount of work is needed to clarify what information is processed and how it is used to create the bird＇s magnetic compass. This review focuses these recently published findings as a means to assess this intriguing phenomenon.

Design and analysis of the Macao Science Satellite-1's laser retro-reflector array

The origin and spatial-temporal variation of the Earth’s magnetic field(EMF)is one of the important scientific problems that has long been unsolved.The Macao Science Satellite-1(MSS-1)under construction is China’s first high-precision EMF measurement satellite.To satisfy the highly precise requirements of the MSS-1 orbit measurement,a light,high-precision,four-prism laser retroreflector array was designed.It weighs approximately 285 g,its effective reflection area is greater than 1.77 cm^(2),and its size is 100×100×41 mm.The laser retro-reflector array has excellent performance,and it can achieve a ranging precision at the subcentimeter level for satellite laser ranging.It will be developed and installed on the MSS-1 as a power-free load for high-precision orbit measurement and accurate orbit calibration.The MSS-1 is planned to be brought into the International Laser Ranging Service observations.More than 31satellite laser ranging stations in the International Laser Ranging Service around the world will be able to measure the MSS-1 with long arcs,which will support the scientific mission of high-precision EMF exploration.

Numerical simulation of the sensor output on Macao Science Satellite-1

Macao Science Satellite-1(MSS-1)will be launched at the early of 2023 into a near-circular orbit.The mission is designed to measure the Earth’s geomagnetic field with unpreceded accuracy through a new perspective.The most important component installed on the satellite,to ensure high accuracy,is the deployable boom(Optical Bench).A Vector Field Magnetometer(VFM),an Advanced Stellar Compass(ASC),and a Couple Dark State Magnetometers(CDSM)are deployed on the deployable boom.In order to maximize the mission’s scientific output,a numerical simulator on MSS-1’s deployable boom was required to evaluate the adaptability of all devices on the deployable boom and assist the satellite’s data pre-processing.This paper first briefly describes the synthesis of the Earth’s total magnetic field and then describes the method simulating the output of scalar and vector magnetometers.Finally,the calibration method is applied to the synthetic magnetometer data to analyze the possible noise/error of the relevant instruments.Our results show that the simulator can imitate the disturbance of different noise sources or errors in the measuring system,and is especially useful for the satellite’s data processing group.

An Axion Interpretation of the ANITA Events

We suggest that the unusual events observed by the ANITA experiment originate from axion particles traversing the Earth. Under the influence of the geomagnetic field, the axion may oscillate into a photon and vice-versa. To amplify the axion transition into photon, we consider that the phenomenon takes place at resonance, where the effective photon mass is equal to the axion mass. This requirement fixes the axion mass at 44 eV. An axion at this mass scale reproduces the cold dark matter scenario. If our interpretation prevails, with the help of axions we can establish an axion tomography of the Earth.

Low-latitude hydroclimate changes related to paleomagnetic variations during the Holocene in coastal southern China

The variations in precipitation have displayed a complex pattern in different regions since the mid-to-late-Holocene.Cloud formation processes may have a significant impact on precipitation,especially during the tropical marine processes and summer monsoon which convey abundant water vapor to coastal southern China and inland areas.Here,we use two 7500 year sedimentary records from the Pearl River Delta and the closed Maar Lake,respectively,in coastal southern China to reconstruct the mid-to-late-Holocene humidity variability and explore its possible relationship with cloud cover modulated by the Earth’s magnetic fields(EMF).Our proxy records document an apparent increase in wetness in coastal southern China between 3.0 and 1.8 kyr BP.This apparent increase in humidity appears to be consistent with the lower virtual axial dipole moments and,in turn,with a lower EMF.This correlation suggests that the EMF might have been superimposed on the weakened monsoon to regulate the mid-to-late-Holocene hydroclimate in coastal southern China through the medium of galactic cosmic rays,aerosols,and cloud cover.However,further investigations are needed to verify this interaction.

Anisotropic NdFeB/SmCoCuFeZr composite bonded magnet prepared by warm compaction process

Anisotropic NdFeB/SmCoCuFeZr composite bonded magnets were prepared by warm compaction process. The effects of adding SmCoCuFeZr magnetic powder on the properties of anisotropic bonded NdFeB magnet were investigated in this work. The results show that, both magnetic properties and temperature stability of the bonded magnet can be improved by adding fine SmCoCuFeZr magnetic powder. In the present study, the optimal content of SmCoCuFeZr magnetic powder was about 20 wt.%, in this case, the Br, Hcj, and（BH）maxof the NdFeB/SmCoCuFeZr composite magnet achieved 0.943 T, 1250 kA/m, and168 kJ/m^3, respectively.

Study of TTS for a 20-inch dynode PMT

The neutrino detector for the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory（JUNO） requires a large number of photomultiplier tubes（PMTs）, including 15000 MCP PMTs and 5000 dynode PMTs. The TTS（transit time spread） of the PMTs is very important for vertex and track reconstruction of the neutrinos in the detector. In this paper, we study the TTS of a 20-inch dynode PMT（R12860） from Hamamatsu for different high voltage, light intensity, light spot size and different photocathode regions. The impact from Earth＇s magnetic field is also studied.The results achieved in this paper will be very useful for the JUNO experiment.