Radio Physics and Radio Astronomy

197-210

Authors: I. N. Bubnov, O. O. Konovalenko, P. L. Tokarsky, O. M. Korolev, S. M. Yerin, L. O. Stanislavsky

Purpose: Theoretical and experimental studies of the active antenna – an element of the low-frequency radio telescope antenna array for the future observatory on the farside of the Moon. Design/methodology/approach: To study the active antenna, consisting of a complex-shaped dipole and a low-noise amplifier, we used its mathematical model in the form of a two-port network, whose electrical parameters are set by the scattering matrix, the noise parameters being set by the covariance matrix of the spectral densities of noise waves. This model allows ma[1]king the correct analysis of the signal-to-noise ratio at the active antenna output with account for the external and internal noise sources. The modelling results were compared with those of experimental measurements of antenna characteristics. A series of radio astronomy observations were made with the developed antenna under the Earth environmental conditions. Findings: A numerical analysis of the radio telescope active antenna parameters has been made in a wide frequency range of 4–40 MHz. Two versions of the low-noise amplifier were developed to operate in the active antenna under the space and Earth environmental conditions. Under the Earth conditions, it has been experimentally proven that the range of problems, which such radio telescopes can effectively solve at low frequencies, is quite wide – from the solar research to the search for cosmological effects. Conclusions: The results of numerical simulations and experimental measurements obtained in this work have shown a satisfactory agreement between them for the most of the frequency range. The results of this work can be useful in the research and development of active antennas designed for operation at the decameter and hectometer wavelength ranges, particularly those intended for using under the space environmental conditions.

224-338

Authors: O. V. Dudnik, O. V. Yakovlev

Purpose: The subject of research is the spatio-temporal charged particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere outside the South Atlantic magnetic Anomaly during the 11-year cycle of solar activity minimum. The work aims at searching for and clarifying the sustained and unstable new spatial zones of enhanced subrelativistic electron fluxes at the altitudes of the low Earth orbit satellites. Design/methodology/approach: Finding and ascertainment of new radiation belts of the Earth were made by using the data analysis from the D1e channel of recording the electrons of energies of ΔEe=180–510 keV and protons of energies of ΔEp=3.5–3.7 MeV of the satellite telescope of electrons and protons (STEP-F) aboard the “CORONAS-Photon” Earth low-orbit satellite. For the analysis, the data array with the 2 s time resolution normalized onto the active area of the position-sensitive silicon matrix detector and onto the solid angle of view of the detector head of the instrument was used. Findings: A sustained structure of three electron radiation belts in the Earth’s magnetosphere was found at the low solar and geomagnetic activity in May 2009. The two belts are known since the beginning of the space age as the Van Allen radiation belts, another additional permanent layer is formed around the drift shell with the McIlwaine parameter of L = 1.65±0.05. On some days in May 2009, the new two inner radiation belts were observed simultaneously, one of those latter being recorded between the investigated sustained belt at L≈1.65 and the Van Allen inner belt at L≈2.52. Increased particle fluxes in this unstable belt have been formed with the drift shell L≈2.06±0.14. Conclusions: The new found inner radiation belts are recorded in a wide range of geographic longitudes λ, both at the ascending and descending nodes of the satellite orbit, from λ1≈150° to λ2≈290°. Separately in the Northern or in the Southern hemispheres, outside the outer edge of the outer radiation belt, at L≥7–8, there are cases of enhanced particle fl ux density in wide range of L-shells. These shells correspond to the high-latitude region of quasi-trapped energetic charged particles. Increased particle fluxes have been recorded up to the bow shock wave border of the Earth’s magnetosphere (L≈10-12).

250-255

Authors: S. Y. Karelin, V. G. Korenev, V. B. Krasovitsky, A. N. Lebedenko, I. I. Magda, V. S. Mukhin, V. G. Sinitsin, N. V. Volovenko

Purpose: Experimental results and numerical simulations are presented, concerning effects of microwave generation in coaxial transmission lines which are fed with unipolar, high voltage electric pulses. The work is aimed at clarifying the relative importance of several mechanisms that could be responsible for the appearance of microwave-frequency oscillations in the course of pulse propagation through the guiding structure. Design/methodology/approach: Dispersive and filtering properties of coaxial waveguides that involve three structural sections are discussed. These latter follow one another along the axis of symmetry. Two identical sections at the input and output are filled with an isotropic liquid dielectric, while the middle part may, in addition, be either partially or fully filled with a non-conductive gyrotropic material. The inserted core represents a set of ferrite rings showing a nonlinear response to the initial high voltage, pulsed excitation. Throughout the series of measurements, the diameters of the inner conductor and of the ferrite core were kept constant. The outer conductor’s diameter was varied to permit analysis of the effect of that size proper and of the degree to which the cross-section is fi lled with ferrite. The gyrotropic properties of the ferrimagnetic material were realized through application of a magnetic bias field from an external coil. The measurements were made for a variety of pulsed voltage magnitudes from the range of hundreds of kilovolts, and magnetic bias fields of tens kiloamperes per meter. Findings: As observed in our experiments, as well as in papers by other writers, a unipolar pulse coming from the radially uniform front-end section, further on gives rise to quasi-monochromatic voltage oscillations. These appear as soon as the pulse has advanced a sufficient distance into the radially nonuniform portion of the guide. The oscillations may consist of a small number of quasi-periods, which suggests a large spectral line width. However, by properly selecting geometric parameters of the wave guiding line and the characteristics of the initial pulsed waveform it proves possible to obtain output frequencies of about units of gigahertz and pulse powers at subgigawatt levels. Conclusions: The frequencies and amplitudes of the appearing oscillations, as well as their spectral widths, are governed by the complex of dispersive and non-linear properties of the guiding structure. The diameters of the inner and outer coaxial conductors in the line, diameter of the ferrimagnetic insert and its intrinsic linear dispersion determine the set of waveguide modes capable of propagating through the line. An oscillating part of the waveform may appear and get separated from the main body of the pulse if it has originated at a higher frequency than the cut-off value for a different mode than the initial TEM.

270-277

Authors: D. V. Mayboroda, S. O. Pogarsky

Purpose: Nowadays, in the millimeter frequency range, the dielectric waveguides of various modifications have certain advantages over the standard metal waveguides, primarily due to the possibility of creating functional units based on them. This is due to the relative simplicity and low cost of manufacturing the dielectric waveguides and functional units using them, the high degree of their integration with active elements, the use in their manufacture of different dielectrics and polymers with a wide range of material constants and a variety of mechanical properties (in particular, some materials have a significant flexibility). After making a series of physical experiments we have found the possibility of implementing the frequency selection and radiation into free space of electromagnetic waves by a hybrid metal-dielectric structure. Design/methodology/approach: The studied electrodynamic structure belongs to the class of hybrid metal-dielectric structures. It includes a modified inverted dielectric waveguide with a periodic sequence on the dielectric plate of fifteen dielectric rods with metallized coating on one of the faces placed outwards. The structure efficiency was estimated by the voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) values and power attenuation in the duct. The measurements were made with the reflectometer method. To estimate the degree of electromagnetic field concentration near the rod inhomogeneities in the near zone, the mobile probe method was used. The field structures were visualized with the method of isolines. Findings: The results of a series of experimental investigations showed the possibility of matching the structure with the external waveguides in the frequency range of 26.5-32.5 GHz with the voltage standing-wave ratio (VSWR) less than 1.8. The frequency dependence of attenuation is oscillatory with clearly expressed frequency ranges with small and large attenuation values. Moreover, the dependence is almost periodic, which is typical of periodic structures. The frequency response slope in the transition zones can be quite high and reach values of 41.26 dB/GHz. The degree of concentration of the electric field near the waveguide dielectric rod and the degree of excitation of the dielectric inhomogeneities was found by directly measured electric field strength in the near zone. Measurements of energy characteristics made under the short-circuit conditions for the main guide and in the mode of matched load of the main guide showed both the ability to control the polarization characteristics and the ability to change the appearance of the pattern and its orientation in space. Conclusions: It has been experimentally proven that a hybrid metal-dielectric structure, being a modified inverted dielectric waveguide with a periodic sequence on the dielectric plate of fifteen dielectric rods with metalized coating on one of the faces placed outwards, can be effectively integrated into a standard transmission line. It is found that this structure can be matched with the external circuits in a fairly wide frequency range. It is also found that in different frequency ranges this hybrid metal-dielectric structure shows the possibility of both efficient frequency selection and radiation in free space. Antenna measurements have shown the beam pattern shape controllability.