A ionosfera é uma das principais fontes de erro sistemático das observáveis GPS (Global Positioning System - Sistema de Posicionamento Global), pois, por ser um meio dispersivo, ela afeta a propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas, fazendo com que a modulação e a fase das ondas portadoras transmitidas pelos satélites GPS sofram, respectivamente, um retardo e um avanço, o que, por sua vez, provoca um erro na distância medida entre o satélite e o receptor. Esse erro é inversamente proporcional ao quadrado da freqüência do sinal e diretamente proporcional ao TEC (Total Electron Content - Conteúdo Total de Elétrons), ou seja, à densidade de elétrons presentes na ionosfera ao longo do caminho entre o satélite e a antena receptora. O TEC sofre variações regulares, cujo comportamento pode ser verificado ao longo do dia, ao longo das estações do ano e também ao longo de ciclos de aproximadamente onze anos (associados à ocorrência de manchas solares). Além dessas variações, eventos solares extremos (explosões solares, ejeções coronais de massa, entre outros) podem causar abruptas e significativas mudanças no comportamento do TEC, exercendo grande influência no posicionamento com GPS, principalmente com receptores de uma freqüência. No Brasil, o fator ionosfera é ainda mais relevante, pois essa região é afetada por fenômenos como a Anomalia Equatorial (AE), a Anomalia Magnética do Atlântico Sul (AMAS) e até mesmo pela ocorrência de irregularidades ionosféricas. Pretendendo aprofundar o entendimento da relação entre a ionosfera e o posicionamento com GPS na região brasileira, essa pesquisa analisou dados de TEC e dados de GPS em períodos de alta e baixa atividade solar, bem como em um período geomagneticamente perturbado. Os resultados demonstraram uma relação direta entre a redução do TEC, no período de baixa atividade solar, e a melhora no posicionamento com GPS. Essa melhora se traduziu, no posicionamento por ponto, por uma redução de 59% no erro planimétrico e 64% no erro altimétrico e, no posicionamento relativo, por uma redução de 65% no erro planimétrico e 63% no erro altimétrico. Já durante o período afetado por uma severa tempestade geomagnética verificou-se um comportamento completamente atípico da ionosfera, piorando muitos os resultados do posicionamento relativo, em horários e locais inesperados. / The ionosphere is one of the main sources of systemathic error of the observable GPS (Global Positioning System) because as it is a dispersive environment it affects the propagation of electromagnetics waves making the modulation and the phase of signals transmitted by GPS sattelites go through, respectivelly, delay and advance which will cause an error in the measure of the distance between the sattelite and the receptor. This error is inversely proportional to the square of the frequency of the signal and directly proportional to the TEC (Total Electron Content), what means the density of electrons on the ionosphere between the sattelite and the reception antenna. The TEC goes through regular variances, which behaviour can be verified during the day, throughout seasons and also throughout cycles of approximately eleven years (related to the ocorrence of sunspot). Besides these variances, extreme solar events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejection may cause abrupt and significant changes to TEC behavior, exerting big influence in GPS positioning, mainly to monofrequency receptors. In Brazil, the ionosphere factor is even more relevant because this region is affected by phenomena such as the Equatorial Anomaly (EA), the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) and even by the ocorrence of ionospheric irregularities. In order to develop knowledge about the relation between ionosphere and GPS positioning in Brazil, on this research TEC and GPS data were analised in periods of high and low solar activity, as well as in a geomagnetic perturbed period. The results showed direct relation between the decreasing of TEC, in the low solar activity period, and the improving of GPS positioning. This improving has resulted in a reduction of 59% in the planimetric error and 64% in the altimetric error in the point positioning and a reduction of 65% in the planimetric error and 63% in the altimetric error in the relative positioning. During the period affected by a severe geomagnetic storm, a completely atypical behavior was identified in the ionosphere, making the results of the relative positioning much worse in unexpected times and locations.

A ionosfera é uma das principais fontes de erro sistemático das observáveis GPS (Global Positioning System - Sistema de Posicionamento Global), pois, por ser um meio dispersivo, ela afeta a propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas, fazendo com que a modulação e a fase das ondas portadoras transmitidas pelos satélites GPS sofram, respectivamente, um retardo e um avanço, o que, por sua vez, provoca um erro na distância medida entre o satélite e o receptor. Esse erro é inversamente proporcional ao quadrado da freqüência do sinal e diretamente proporcional ao TEC (Total Electron Content - Conteúdo Total de Elétrons), ou seja, à densidade de elétrons presentes na ionosfera ao longo do caminho entre o satélite e a antena receptora. O TEC sofre variações regulares, cujo comportamento pode ser verificado ao longo do dia, ao longo das estações do ano e também ao longo de ciclos de aproximadamente onze anos (associados à ocorrência de manchas solares). Além dessas variações, eventos solares extremos (explosões solares, ejeções coronais de massa, entre outros) podem causar abruptas e significativas mudanças no comportamento do TEC, exercendo grande influência no posicionamento com GPS, principalmente com receptores de uma freqüência. No Brasil, o fator ionosfera é ainda mais relevante, pois essa região é afetada por fenômenos como a Anomalia Equatorial (AE), a Anomalia Magnética do Atlântico Sul (AMAS) e até mesmo pela ocorrência de irregularidades ionosféricas. Pretendendo aprofundar o entendimento da relação entre a ionosfera e o posicionamento com GPS na região brasileira, essa pesquisa analisou dados de TEC e dados de GPS em períodos de alta e baixa atividade solar, bem como em um período geomagneticamente perturbado. Os resultados demonstraram uma relação direta entre a redução do TEC, no período de baixa atividade solar, e a melhora no posicionamento com GPS. Essa melhora se traduziu, no posicionamento por ponto, por uma redução de 59% no erro planimétrico e 64% no erro altimétrico e, no posicionamento relativo, por uma redução de 65% no erro planimétrico e 63% no erro altimétrico. Já durante o período afetado por uma severa tempestade geomagnética verificou-se um comportamento completamente atípico da ionosfera, piorando muitos os resultados do posicionamento relativo, em horários e locais inesperados. / The ionosphere is one of the main sources of systemathic error of the observable GPS (Global Positioning System) because as it is a dispersive environment it affects the propagation of electromagnetics waves making the modulation and the phase of signals transmitted by GPS sattelites go through, respectivelly, delay and advance which will cause an error in the measure of the distance between the sattelite and the receptor. This error is inversely proportional to the square of the frequency of the signal and directly proportional to the TEC (Total Electron Content), what means the density of electrons on the ionosphere between the sattelite and the reception antenna. The TEC goes through regular variances, which behaviour can be verified during the day, throughout seasons and also throughout cycles of approximately eleven years (related to the ocorrence of sunspot). Besides these variances, extreme solar events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejection may cause abrupt and significant changes to TEC behavior, exerting big influence in GPS positioning, mainly to monofrequency receptors. In Brazil, the ionosphere factor is even more relevant because this region is affected by phenomena such as the Equatorial Anomaly (EA), the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) and even by the ocorrence of ionospheric irregularities. In order to develop knowledge about the relation between ionosphere and GPS positioning in Brazil, on this research TEC and GPS data were analised in periods of high and low solar activity, as well as in a geomagnetic perturbed period. The results showed direct relation between the decreasing of TEC, in the low solar activity period, and the improving of GPS positioning. This improving has resulted in a reduction of 59% in the planimetric error and 64% in the altimetric error in the point positioning and a reduction of 65% in the planimetric error and 63% in the altimetric error in the relative positioning. During the period affected by a severe geomagnetic storm, a completely atypical behavior was identified in the ionosphere, making the results of the relative positioning much worse in unexpected times and locations.

A ionosfera é uma das principais fontes de erro sistemático das observáveis GPS (Global Positioning System - Sistema de Posicionamento Global), pois, por ser um meio dispersivo, ela afeta a propagação de ondas eletromagnéticas, fazendo com que a modulação e a fase das ondas portadoras transmitidas pelos satélites GPS sofram, respectivamente, um retardo e um avanço, o que, por sua vez, provoca um erro na distância medida entre o satélite e o receptor. Esse erro é inversamente proporcional ao quadrado da freqüência do sinal e diretamente proporcional ao TEC (Total Electron Content - Conteúdo Total de Elétrons), ou seja, à densidade de elétrons presentes na ionosfera ao longo do caminho entre o satélite e a antena receptora. O TEC sofre variações regulares, cujo comportamento pode ser verificado ao longo do dia, ao longo das estações do ano e também ao longo de ciclos de aproximadamente onze anos (associados à ocorrência de manchas solares). Além dessas variações, eventos solares extremos (explosões solares, ejeções coronais de massa, entre outros) podem causar abruptas e significativas mudanças no comportamento do TEC, exercendo grande influência no posicionamento com GPS, principalmente com receptores de uma freqüência. No Brasil, o fator ionosfera é ainda mais relevante, pois essa região é afetada por fenômenos como a Anomalia Equatorial (AE), a Anomalia Magnética do Atlântico Sul (AMAS) e até mesmo pela ocorrência de irregularidades ionosféricas. Pretendendo aprofundar o entendimento da relação entre a ionosfera e o posicionamento com GPS na região brasileira, essa pesquisa analisou dados de TEC e dados de GPS em períodos de alta e baixa atividade solar, bem como em um período geomagneticamente perturbado. Os resultados demonstraram uma relação direta entre a redução do TEC, no período de baixa atividade solar, e a melhora no posicionamento com GPS. Essa melhora se traduziu, no posicionamento por ponto, por uma redução de 59% no erro planimétrico e 64% no erro altimétrico e, no posicionamento relativo, por uma redução de 65% no erro planimétrico e 63% no erro altimétrico. Já durante o período afetado por uma severa tempestade geomagnética verificou-se um comportamento completamente atípico da ionosfera, piorando muitos os resultados do posicionamento relativo, em horários e locais inesperados. / The ionosphere is one of the main sources of systemathic error of the observable GPS (Global Positioning System) because as it is a dispersive environment it affects the propagation of electromagnetics waves making the modulation and the phase of signals transmitted by GPS sattelites go through, respectivelly, delay and advance which will cause an error in the measure of the distance between the sattelite and the receptor. This error is inversely proportional to the square of the frequency of the signal and directly proportional to the TEC (Total Electron Content), what means the density of electrons on the ionosphere between the sattelite and the reception antenna. The TEC goes through regular variances, which behaviour can be verified during the day, throughout seasons and also throughout cycles of approximately eleven years (related to the ocorrence of sunspot). Besides these variances, extreme solar events such as solar flares and coronal mass ejection may cause abrupt and significant changes to TEC behavior, exerting big influence in GPS positioning, mainly to monofrequency receptors. In Brazil, the ionosphere factor is even more relevant because this region is affected by phenomena such as the Equatorial Anomaly (EA), the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA) and even by the ocorrence of ionospheric irregularities. In order to develop knowledge about the relation between ionosphere and GPS positioning in Brazil, on this research TEC and GPS data were analised in periods of high and low solar activity, as well as in a geomagnetic perturbed period. The results showed direct relation between the decreasing of TEC, in the low solar activity period, and the improving of GPS positioning. This improving has resulted in a reduction of 59% in the planimetric error and 64% in the altimetric error in the point positioning and a reduction of 65% in the planimetric error and 63% in the altimetric error in the relative positioning. During the period affected by a severe geomagnetic storm, a completely atypical behavior was identified in the ionosphere, making the results of the relative positioning much worse in unexpected times and locations.

Galactic cosmic rays are the high-energy particles that stream into our solar system from distant corners of our Galaxy. The Earth's atmosphere serves as an ideal detector for the high energy cosmic rays which interact with the air molecule nuclei causing propagation of extensive air showers. The primary cosmic ray particles interact with the molecules in the atmosphere and produce showers of secondary particles (mainly pions) at about 15 km altitude. These pions decay into muons which are the dominant particles of radiation (about 80%) at the surface of the Earth. In recent years, there are growing interests in the applications of the cosmic ray measurements such as space/earth weather monitoring, homeland security activities based on the cosmic ray muon tomography, radiation effects on health via air travel, etc. A simulation program (based on the Geant4 software package developed at CERN) has been developed at Georgia State University for studying cosmic ray showers in the atmosphere. The results of this simulation study will provide unprecedented knowledge of geo-position-dependent cosmic ray shower profiles and will significantly advance cosmic ray applications. Simulation results are critically important for determining the temperature coefficients in every pressure layer in the atmosphere in order to calculate the temperature variations using the cosmic ray data. Using a single particle shower simulation, the weighted particle altitude distributions on a global scale are calculated with geomagnetic field implementation. The results of the simulation can aid the computation of the effective temperature in stratosphere.

The East African Rift System diverges in the Lake Natron Basin of Northern Tanzania and is a major zone of continental extension and crustal thinning with resulting in active tectonics and volcanism. The discovery of Acheulean technology in Olduvai Gorge and Peninj as well as the presence of significant volcanic centers, has made in the region subject to studies in various disciplines. However, lack of precise radiometric age constraints due to the complex geology of the region is a major drawback. The basin is bordered on the western side by an escarpment that contains thick sequences of volcanic (nephelinites, basanites, hawaiites, alkali basalts), volcaniclastic and lacustrine strata that predates 1.2 Ma. This thesis is based on 41 rock samples that were collected from two geological sections, the Endukai Kete (EK) and Waterfall (WF) sections and aims to establish a preliminary geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) for the Natron Escarpment, together with establishing possible flow directions of the volcanic lavas within these sections. Nephelinites of EK section have an inferred NW-SE direction of flow, based on study of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility. They record a normal polarity that most likely correspond to the Cobb Mountain Event (CMT; 1.187-1.208 Ma), although there is an 80-ka discrepancy between the CMT event and the dated lavas. The most probable source is the Mosonik that erupted nephelinitic lavas 1.28 Ma ago. The palagonitic tuff layer below the nephelinites displays reverse polarity and a NE-SW direction of flow. Due to the absence of approximately 200 m strata within the basanite series of the section, regional lithological correlation is used to constrain the GPTS pattern. Hajaro Beds of the Peninj Group to the north of the escarpment, postdates the Olduvai Event (1.71 to 1.86 Ma) and lacustrine strata of the escarpment for EK and WF sections are deposited over the same unconformity and share depositional similarities. Therefore, the lacustrine strata are correlative to Hajaro beds and the normal event observed within the basanite series of both sections is attributed to the Réunion Event (2.116 – 2.137 Ma). The establishment of a preliminary magnetostratigraphic sequence presented in this thesis demonstrate that the rift escarpment in northern Tanzania is suitable for paleomagnetic dating. Future studies should be conducted to establish a more detailed and constrained magnetostratigraphic section, which will be of great use in this part of the African Rift where radiometric dating has been challenging.

The complex interactions between the Sun and Earth are referred to as Space Weather. Key parameters include magnetic indices which quantitatively describe geomagnetic activity by determining a baseline that removes the background magnetic field and allows quantification of the remaining activity during geomagnetic events. However, most used indices have a low temporal resolution and rely on a sparse and frozen network of ground magnetic observatories. This thesis introduces a novel way of determining the baseline for future high temporal and spatial resolution magnetic indices. Firstly, the main phenomena and effects of Space Weather are outlined, followed by a review of currently used magnetic indices and their derivation. The computation of a novel baseline introduced in this work relies on basic statistical methods which are applied on magnetic data from a dense and flexible network of ground observatories for the period 1991-2016. The focus is on the investigation of geomagnetic quiet periods for which average annual activity at each observatory is determined. A global latitudinal normalisation function with dependency on solar activity for quiet periods is found. The analysis of the newly derived baseline shows that it provides the temporal, spatial and amplitudinal resolution needed to characterise geomagnetic disturbances adequately. The residual signal has the capability of being used as the basis for further quiet period studies. A first attempt of new indices based on the introduced derivation shows a good agreement with already existing high temporal and spatial resolution magnetic indices. Future indices derived with this baseline lay a favourable fundament for the application of articial intelligence methods.

Title: Ionospheric drift measurements Author: Daniel Kouba Department: Department of Surface and Plasma Science Supervisor: RNDr. Petra Koucká Knížová, Ph.D. Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Abstract: This thesis deals with ionospheric drift measurements using Digisonde DPS-4. The results are divided into theoretical and practical part. It is shown that for drift data processing it is necessary to choose correct reflection points corresponding to drift movements first. The selection is made in three steps: restriction of Doppler frequency shift, height range selection, choice of the maximum zenith angle. After- wards it is possible to credibly estimate the vector of drift velocity. The experimental results of drift measurements are based on data from the Pru- honice station. To study the common behavior of ionospheric drifts during quiet conditions, the statistical characteristics of drift velocity components are investiga- ted in layers E and F during geomagnetic quiet year 2006. The maximal daily amplitude of horizontal velocity demonstrates the influence of geomagnetic activity. It is proved to be considerable in the F layer meanwhile it was not observed in the E layer. The effect of strong geomagnetic disturbances is shown at two examples of extreme storms. The...

The thermosphere-ionosphere regions are mainly controlled by the solar, but also by geomagnetic activity. In this case study, the Earth’s ionospheric response to the 25-26 August 2018 intense geomagnetic storm is investigated using the International GNSS System (IGS) Total Electron Content (TEC) observations. During this major storm, the minimum disturbance storm time (Dst) index reached -174 nT. We use observations and model simulations to analyse the ionospheric response during the initial phase and the main phase of the magnetic storm. A significant difference between storm day and quiet day TEC is observed. The O/N2 ratio observed from the GUVI instrument onboard the TIMED satellite is used to analyse the storm effect. The result shows a clear depletion of the O/N2 ratio in the high latitude region, and an enhancement in the low latitude region during the main phase of the storm. Furthermore, the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere electrodynamics (CTIPe) model simulations were used. The results suggest that the CTIPe model can capture the ionospheric variations during storms. / Die Regionen der Ionosphären und Thermosphäre werden hauptsächlich von der Sonne sowie auch von geomagnetische Aktivität beeinflusst. In dieser Fallstudie wurde die ionosphärische Reaktion der Erde auf den starken geomagnetischen Sturm vom 25./26. August 2018 unter Verwendung der Gesamtelektronengehaltsdaten (Total Electron Content, TEC) vom Internationalen GNSS Service untersucht. Während dieses großen Sturms wurde ein ”Disturbance Storm Time Index” Dst von -174 nT erreicht. Beobachtungen und Modellsimulationen wurden verwendet, um die ionosphärische Reaktion während der Anfangsphase und der Hauptphase des magnetischen Sturms zu untersuchen. Ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen TEC während eines Sturmtages und eines ruhigen Tages wurde beobachtet. Das vom GUVI-Instrument an Bord des TIMED-Satelliten beobachtete O/N2 -Verhältnis wurde verwendet, um den Sturmeffekt weiter zu untersuchen. Das Ergebnis zeigt eine deutliche Abnahme/Zunahme des O/N2 Verhältnis in hohen/niedrigen Breiten während der Hauptphase des Sturms. Darüber hinaus wurde das Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere ectrodynamics (CTIPe) Modell verwendet. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass das CTIPe-Modell die ionosphärischen Schwankungen während eines Sturms erfassen kann.

The thermosphere-ionosphere regions are mainly controlled by the solar, but also by geomagnetic activity. In this case study, the Earth’s ionospheric response to the 25-26 August 2018 intense geomagnetic storm is investigated using the International GNSS System (IGS) Total Electron Content (TEC) observations. During this major storm, the minimum disturbance storm time (Dst) index reached -174 nT. We use observations and model simulations to analyse the ionospheric response during the initial phase and the main phase of the magnetic storm. A significant difference between storm day and quiet day TEC is observed. The O/N2 ratio observed from the GUVI instrument onboard the TIMED satellite is used to analyse the storm effect. The result shows a clear depletion of the O/N2 ratio in the high latitude region, and an enhancement in the low latitude region during the main phase of the storm. Furthermore, the Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere electrodynamics (CTIPe) model simulations were used. The results suggest that the CTIPe model can capture the ionospheric variations during storms. / Die Regionen der Ionosphären und Thermosphäre werden hauptsächlich von der Sonne sowie auch von geomagnetische Aktivität beeinflusst. In dieser Fallstudie wurde die ionosphärische Reaktion der Erde auf den starken geomagnetischen Sturm vom 25./26. August 2018 unter Verwendung der Gesamtelektronengehaltsdaten (Total Electron Content, TEC) vom Internationalen GNSS Service untersucht. Während dieses großen Sturms wurde ein ”Disturbance Storm Time Index” Dst von -174 nT erreicht. Beobachtungen und Modellsimulationen wurden verwendet, um die ionosphärische Reaktion während der Anfangsphase und der Hauptphase des magnetischen Sturms zu untersuchen. Ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen TEC während eines Sturmtages und eines ruhigen Tages wurde beobachtet. Das vom GUVI-Instrument an Bord des TIMED-Satelliten beobachtete O/N2 -Verhältnis wurde verwendet, um den Sturmeffekt weiter zu untersuchen. Das Ergebnis zeigt eine deutliche Abnahme/Zunahme des O/N2 Verhältnis in hohen/niedrigen Breiten während der Hauptphase des Sturms. Darüber hinaus wurde das Coupled Thermosphere Ionosphere Plasmasphere ectrodynamics (CTIPe) Modell verwendet. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass das CTIPe-Modell die ionosphärischen Schwankungen während eines Sturms erfassen kann.

Magnetoelectric (ME) effect, a cross-coupling effect between magnetic and electric orders, has stimulated lots of investigations due to the potential for applications as multifunctional devices. In this thesis, I have investigated and optimized the ME effect in Metglas/piezo-fibers ME composites with a multi-push pull configuration. Moreover, I have also proposed several devices based on such composites. In this thesis, several methods for ME composites optimization have been investigated. (i)  the ME coefficients can be enhanced greatly by using single crystal fibers with high piezoelectric properties; (ii) the influence of volume ratio between Metglas and piezo-fibers on ME coefficients has been studied both experimentally and theoretically. Modulating the volume ratio can increase the ME coefficient greatly; and (iii) the annealing process can change the properties of Metglas, which can enhance the ME response as well. Moreover, one differential structure for ME composites has been proposed, which can reject the external vibration noise by a factor of 10 to 20 dB. This differential structure may allow for practical applications of such sensors in real-world environments. Based on optimized ME composites, two types of AC magnetic sensor have been developed. The objective is to develop one alternative type of magnetic sensor with low noise, low cost and room-temperature operation; that makes the sensor competitive with the commercially available magnetic sensor, such as Fluxgate, GMR, SQUID, etc. Conventional passive sensors have been fully investigated, including the design of sensor working at specific frequency range, sensitivity, noise density characterization, etc. Furthermore, the extremely low frequency (< 10-3 Hz) magnetic sensor has undergone a redesign of the charge amplifier circuit. Additionally, the noise model has been established to simulate the noise density for this device which can predict the noise floor precisely. Based on theoretical noise analysis, the noise floor can be eliminated greatly. Moreover, another active magnetic senor based on nonlinear ME voltage coefficient is also developed. Such sensor is not required for external DC bias that can help the sensor for sensor arrays application. Inspired by the bio-behaviors in nature, the geomagnetic sensor is designed for sensing geomagnetic fields; it is also potentially used for positioning systems based on the geomagnetic field. In this section, some works for DC sensor optimization have been performed, including the different piezo-fibers, driving frequency and magnetic flux concentration. Meanwhile, the lock-in circuit is designed for the magnetic sensor to replace of the commercial instruments. Finally, the man-portable multi-axial geomagnetic sensor has been developed which has the highest resolution of 10 nT for DC magnetic field. Based on the geomagnetic sensor, some demonstrations have been finished, such as orientation monitor, magnetic field mapping, and geomagnetic sensing. Other devices have been also developed besides the magnetic sensor: (i) magnetic energy harvesters are developed under the resonant frequency condition. Especially, one 60 Hz magnetic harvester is designed which can harvester the magnetic energy source generated by instruments; and (ii) frequency multiplication tuned by geomagnetic field is investigated which potentially can be used for frequency multiplier or geomagnetic guidance devices. / Ph. D.