Radio Physics and Radio Astronomy

314-321

Authors: S. V. Stepkin, O. O. Konovalenko, Y. V. Vasylkivskyi, D. V. Mukha

Purpose: The analytical review of the main results of research in the new direction of the low-frequency radio astronomy, the interstellar medium radio spectroscopy at decameter waves, which had led to astrophysical discovery, recording of the radio recombination lines in absorption for highly excited states of interstellar carbon atoms (more than 600). Design/methodology/approach: The UTR-2 world-largest broadband radio telescope of decameter waves optimally connected with the digital correlation spectrum analyzers has been used. Continuous modernization of antenna system and devices allowed increasing the analysis band from 100 kHzto 24 MHz and a number of channels from 32 to 8192. The radio telescope and receiving equipment with appropriate software allowed to have a long efficient integration time enough for a large line series simultaneously with high resolution, noise immunity and relative sensitivity. Findings: A new type of interstellar spectral lines has been discovered and studied, the interstellar carbon radio recombination lines in absorption for the record high excited atoms with principal quantum numbers greater than 1000. The line parameters (intensity, shape, width, radial velocity) and their relation ship with the interstellar medium physical parameters have been determined. The temperature of line forming regions is about 100 K, the electron concentration up to 0.1 cm–3 and the size of a line forming region is about 10 pc. For the first time, radio recombination lines were observed in absorption. They have significant broadening and are amplified by the dielectronic-like recombination mechanism and are also the lowest frequency lines in atomic spectroscopy. Conclusions: The detected low-frequency carbon radio recombination lines and their observations have become a new highly effective tool for the cold partially ionized interstellar plasma diagnostics. Using them allows obtaining the information which is not available with the other astrophysical methods. For almost half a century of their research, a large amount of hardware-methodical and astrophysical results have been obtained including a record number of Galaxy objects, where there levant lines have been recorded. The domestic achievements have stimulated many theoretical and experimental studies in other countries, but the scientific achievements of Ukrainian scientists prove the best prospects for further development of this very important area of astronomical science.

344-349

Authors: A. V. Gribovsky

Purpose: Investigation of the electrodynamic properties of a Fabry-Perot metaresonator formed by two parallel perfectly conducting, two-dimensionally periodic, two-element screens of finite thickness with rectangular holes. The resonator is excited by a plane linearly polarized electromagnetic wave. The basic cell of each of the screens used as the metaresonator mirrors contains two lengths of rectangular waveguides of different transverse sections. Design/methodology/approach: An operator method for solving the 3D problems of electromagnetic wave diffraction by multielement two-dimensionally periodic structures is used in the study. The computation algorithm uses the partial domain technique and the method of generalized scattering matrices. Findings: As follows from the results of the numerical modeling made, the magnitude of the plane wave reflected from the metaresonator turns to zero at fixed frequencies lying below the cutoff frequencies for the rectangular waveguide sections embedded in the resonator mirrors. The effect of the total electromagnetic wave transmission through the metaresonator at the first lower frequency is characterized by a strong localization of the electromagnetic field in the resonator volume. The reason is excitation of the metaresonator by the exponentially descending field penetrating inside the resonator through the evanescent holes at the resonance frequency. The second low-frequency resonance of the total electromagnetic wave transmission through the metaresonator is associated with the trapped-mode resonance, which is observed in multielement two-dimensionally periodic structures. This case is characterized by a strong localization of the electromagnetic field from both sides near the metaresonator mirror surfaces. Conclusions: The unique electrodynamic properties of the metaresonator can find application in the devices for measuring the electrophysical parameters of composite materials with high losses. The effect of strong localization of the electromagnetic field both in the resonator volume and near the mirror surfaces can be used for monitoring the gaseous substances in crowded places.

358-369

Authors: L. F. Chernogor

Purpose: The most important problem of any state is protection of the control and management systems used for the country, national armed forces, high-risk facilities (nuclear power plants, large chemical plants, airports, etc.). Here, the fact that the means of attack can be deployed on ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones should be accounted for. The flight altitude of these vehicles varies from ≈300 km to ≈ 10 m. Any attack vehicle is equipped with complex avionics consisting of circuit elements sensitive to electromagnetic fields. Since the 1980s, a new scientific and engineering direction has been developing, being termed as a “functional damage to avionics”. It is based on the creation of powerful means of electromagnetic radiation possessing the energetic capabilities of incapacitating avionics at significant distances (from ~ 100 m to ~ 1000 km). The purpose of this work is to analyze the possible functional damage to avionics with account for the tendencies in avionics technologies. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is made on the capability of inflicting functional damage to avionics accounting for the modern trends in developing the powerful means of electromagnetic energy generation in the microwave and shorter wavelength ranges, miniaturization and integration of avionics circuit elements. The regression is constructed for the critical energy time dependence. It has been determined that for decades the critical energy required to damage the circuit elements shows a tendency to decrease. This is due to the further miniaturization and integration of microcircuits according to the Moore’s law, which is still valid for now. For a number of circuit elements, the critical energy is found to be in the range of 10-11–10-10 J. At the same time, a reverse tendency arises to protect avionics from being functionally damaged. In this case, the critical energy makes 10-7–10-6 J and greater. From the derived version of the basic equation of functional damage to avionics, the maximum distance at which the damage is possible with the energetics of the existing radio systems is estimated. For the ground-based facilities, this distance can attain hundreds of kilometers. For mobile vehicles, it can reach 10–100 km. Combining target detection, identification and avionics damage capabilities in one radio system has been validated and advised. The transition from the first mode of operation to the second one occurs at shorter distances with an increase of 2–3 orders of magnitude in the pulse energy. Findings: The regression equation has been obtained for the time dependence of the critical energy required for inflicting functional damage to avionics. Its constant decrease has been confirmed. Such a behavior is closely related to the Moore’s law, which characterizes the degree of miniaturization and integration of avionics circuit elements. It has been predicted that for a number of instruments the critical energy can be smaller than 10-11–10-10 J. A version of the basic equation of functional damage to avionics has been obtained. The maximum distance for a modern radio system to damage the avionics has been shown to attain many hundreds of kilometers. For the radio systems installed on mobile vehicles, this distance makes 10–100 km. Target detection, tracking and identification, as well as avionics damage capabilities, have been proved to be rationally combined in one radio system. To cause damage at a corresponding range, the pulse energy needs to be increased by a factor of 102–103. Conclusions: There are all science and technology prerequisites for developing effective radio systems inflicting functional damage to avionics and for the state defense and protection, armed forces, and high-risk facility controlling systems.