Pulsar-Appropriate Clock Statistics

Demetrios N. Matsakis, Frederick J. Josties

Abstract:	Because pulsar phase, spin rate, and spin-down rate cannot be determined a priori, a pulsar's possible contribution to a time scale is best measured using a statistic insensitive to these quantities. One such statistic is or(r), which is based upon the third-order polynomial variations of the clock phases and named in analogy to or(r). It is similar to measures based upon the variance of the third differences, but more robust in the presence of data gaps. About 6 years of data, from MJD 47752 to 50343 (18 Aug 89-17 Sep 96), were used to determine the or(r) of cesium and maser standards in a variety of imperfect but probably acceptable ways; directions for improved reductions are also indicated. Because of the considerably improved stability of cavity-tuned masers and Hewlett-Packard Model 5071 cesium standards, the best results use only the data taken since MJD 49400 (17 Feb 94), by which time most of the new standards had been acquired. An upper limit to the time variation of the fine structure constant is also given.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 3 - 5, 1996 Hyatt Regency Reston Town Center Reston, Virginia
Pages:	225 - 236
Cite this article:	Matsakis, Demetrios N., Josties, Frederick J., "Pulsar-Appropriate Clock Statistics," Proceedings of the 28th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Reston, Virginia, December 1996, pp. 225-236.
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