arXiv subjects

Xiaotong Wei

Publications and source records attributed to Xiaotong Wei.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-Precision Ground Characterization of Test-Mass Magnetic Properties for the Taiji Gravitational Wave Mission via a Physics-Informed Neural Framework

Taiji is a gravitational wave detection mission in space initiated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which will open the millihertz window through a heliocentric triangular constellation of three drag-free spacecraft. Its ultimate sensitivity is determined partly by the residual acceleration noise of the gravitational reference sensors (GRS), within which the coupling between the test-mass and the fluctuating environmental magnetic field constitutes one of the key stray-force contributions. Following the path established by the LISA and TianQin teams, high-precision ground characterization of remanent magnetic moment $\vec{m}_r$ and volume susceptibility $χ$ of the test masses is a central step in the Taiji pre-launch test program. A persistent challenge for this characterization is the non-stationary, colored background noise inherent to torsion-pendulum facilities, which systematically biases classical Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Kalman filter (KF) estimators. We propose an AI-enhanced Differentiable Weighted Least Squares (AI-WLS) framework that fuses a dilated one-dimensional residual network, acting as a dynamic noise evaluator, with a fully differentiable analytical physical solver. This architecture preserves the exact linear mapping from the magnetic parameters to the torque response while autonomously identifying and suppressing contaminated data segments. Validated on real measured noise from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics torsion-pendulum facility developed for Taiji, which achieves a torque sensitivity of order $10^{-13}\,\mathrm{N\cdot m\,Hz^{-1/2}}$, the AI-WLS framework bounds the maximum absolute estimation errors at $4.46\times 10^{-10}\,\mathrm{A\cdot m^2}$ for $\vec{m}_r$ and $7.8\times 10^{-8}$ for $χ$, satisfying Taiji's ground-test requirements on all these parameters simultaneously.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Calibration of key parameters during the in-orbit phase for the Taiji-2 gravitational reference sensor

The Taiji mission, a pioneering Chinese space-borne gravitational wave observatory, requires ultra-precise calibration of its gravitational reference sensors (GRSs) to achieve its targeted sensitivity of $3\times10^{-15} \mathrm{\ m\ s^{-2}\ Hz^{-1/2}}$. Maintaining this precision is challenged by time-varying scale factors drifts and dynamic center-of-mass (c.m.) offsets between the test masses (TMs) and spacecraft, driven by factors such as propellant consumption, thermal effects and aging electronics. This paper develops an advanced in-orbit calibration framework that simultaneously estimates the GRS scale factors and c.m. offsets between TMs and spacecraft through a combination of spacecraft maneuvers and Kalman filter. By applying periodic torque signals to induce controlled spacecraft angular accelerations, we leverage star tracker and GRS readouts to disentangle coupled disturbances and achieve dual-parameter calibration with unprecedented precision, with scale factors errors below 0.2\% and c.m. offsets residuals within 100 $\mathrmμ$m, satisfies the Taiji-2 calibration requirements. This method is robust across different satellite configurations. The results not only ensure the feasibility of Taiji-2's scientific objectives but also establish a scalable calibration paradigm for future missions such as Taiji-3, where sub-micrometer c.m. stability and ultra-low noise gravitational reference will be essential.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2026

Towards Realistic Detection Pipelines of Taiji: New Challenges in Data Analysis and High-Fidelity Simulations of Space-Based Gravitational Wave Antenna

Taiji, a Chinese space-based gravitational wave (GW) detection project, aims to explore the millihertz GW universe with unprecedented sensitivity. By observing astrophysical and cosmological sources, including Galactic binaries, massive black hole binaries, extreme mass-ratio inspirals, and stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds, etc., Taiji is expected to deliver transformative insights into astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. However, Taiji's data analysis faces unique challenges compared to ground-based detectors like LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA, such as the overlap of numerous signals, extended data durations, more rigorous accuracy requirements for the waveform templates, incompletely characterized noise spectra, non-stationary noises, and various data anomalies. Taking Taiji as a representative example, this paper reviews the data characteristics and data analysis challenges of space-based GW detection, and introduces the second round of Taiji Data Challenge, a collection of simulation datasets designed as a shared platform for resolving these critical issues. This platform distinguishes itself from previous works by the systematic integration of orbital dynamics based on a full drag-free and attitude control simulation, extended noise sources, more complicated and overlapping GW signals, second-generation time-delay interferometry, and the coupling effect of time-varying arm-lengths, etc. Concurrently released is the open-source toolkit Triangle, which offers the capabilities for customized simulation of signals, noises, and other instrumental effects. By taking a step further towards realistic detection, Taiji Data Challenge II and Triangle altogether serve as a new testbed, supporting the development of Taiji's global analysis and end-to-end pipelines, and ultimately bridging the gaps between observation and scientific objectives.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Search for exotic gravitational wave signals beyond general relativity using deep learning

The direct detection of gravitational waves by LIGO has confirmed general relativity (GR) and sparked rapid growth in gravitational wave (GW) astronomy. However, subtle post-Newtonian (PN) deviations observed during the analysis of high signal-to-noise ratio events from the observational runs suggest that standard waveform templates, which assume strict adherence to GR, might overlook signals from alternative theories of gravity. Incorporating these exotic signals into traditional search algorithms is computationally infeasible due to the vast template space required. This paper introduces a proof-of-principle deep learning framework for detecting exotic GW signals, leveraging neural networks trained on GR-based templates. Through their generalization ability, neural networks learn intricate features from the data, enabling the detection of signals that deviate from GR. We present the first study evaluating the capability of deep learning to detect beyond-GR signals, including a variety of PN orders. Our model achieves rapid and accurate identification of exotic GW signals across different luminosity distances, with performance comparable to GR-based detections. In particular, applying the model to the GW150914 event demonstrates excellent performance, highlighting the potential of AI-driven methods for detecting previously overlooked signals beyond GR. This work paves the way for new discoveries in gravitational wave astronomy, enabling the detection of signals that might escape traditional search pipelines.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2025

Towards Energy-Efficient and Low-Latency Voice-Controlled Smart Homes: A Proposal for Offline Speech Recognition and IoT Integration

The smart home systems, based on AI speech recognition and IoT technology, enable people to control devices through verbal commands and make people's lives more efficient. However, existing AI speech recognition services are primarily deployed on cloud platforms on the Internet. When users issue a command, speech recognition devices like ``Amazon Echo'' will post a recording through numerous network nodes, reach multiple servers, and then receive responses through the Internet. This mechanism presents several issues, including unnecessary energy consumption, communication latency, and the risk of a single-point failure. In this position paper, we propose a smart home concept based on offline speech recognition and IoT technology: 1) integrating offline keyword spotting (KWS) technologies into household appliances with limited resource hardware to enable them to understand user voice commands; 2) designing a local IoT network with decentralized architecture to manage and connect various devices, enhancing the robustness and scalability of the system. This proposal of a smart home based on offline speech recognition and IoT technology will allow users to use low-latency voice control anywhere in the home without depending on the Internet and provide better scalability and energy sustainability.

cs.SD↗

arXiv2024

Rapid Parameter Estimation for Merging Massive Black Hole Binaries Using Continuous Normalizing Flows

Detecting the coalescences of massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) is one of the primary targets for space-based gravitational wave observatories such as LISA, Taiji, and Tianqin. The fast and accurate parameter estimation of merging MBHBs is of great significance for the global fitting of all resolvable sources, as well as the astrophysical interpretation of gravitational wave signals. However, such analyses usually entail significant computational costs. To address these challenges, inspired by the latest progress in generative models, we explore the application of continuous normalizing flows (CNFs) on the parameter estimation of MBHBs. Specifically, we employ linear interpolation and trig interpolation methods to construct transport paths for training CNFs. Additionally, we creatively introduce a parameter transformation method based on the symmetry in the detector's response function. This transformation is integrated within CNFs, allowing us to train the model using a simplified dataset, and then perform parameter estimation on more general data, hence also acting as a crucial factor in improving the training speed. In conclusion, for the first time, within a comprehensive and reasonable parameter range, we have achieved a complete and unbiased 11-dimensional rapid inference for MBHBs in the presence of astrophysical confusion noise using CNFs. In the experiments based on simulated data, our model produces posterior distributions comparable to those obtained by nested sampling.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Rapid Parameter Estimation for Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals Using Machine Learning

Extreme-mass-ratio inspiral (EMRI) signals pose significant challenges in gravitational wave (GW) astronomy owing to their low-frequency nature and highly complex waveforms, which occupy a high-dimensional parameter space with numerous variables. Given their extended inspiral timescales and low signal-to-noise ratios, EMRI signals warrant prolonged observation periods. Parameter estimation becomes particularly challenging due to non-local parameter degeneracies, arising from multiple local maxima, as well as flat regions and ridges inherent in the likelihood function. These factors lead to exceptionally high time complexity for parameter analysis while employing traditional matched filtering and random sampling methods. To address these challenges, the present study applies machine learning to Bayesian posterior estimation of EMRI signals, leveraging the recently developed flow matching technique based on ODE neural networks. Our approach demonstrates computational efficiency several orders of magnitude faster than the traditional Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, while preserving the unbiasedness of parameter estimation. We show that machine learning technology has the potential to efficiently handle the vast parameter space, involving up to seventeen parameters, associated with EMRI signals. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first instance of applying machine learning, specifically the Continuous Normalizing Flows (CNFs), to EMRI signal analysis. Our findings highlight the promising potential of machine learning in EMRI waveform analysis, offering new perspectives for the advancement of space-based GW detection and GW astronomy.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2024

Calibration of the in-orbit center-of-mass of TaiJi-1

Taiji program is a space mission aiming to detect gravitational waves in the low frequency band. Taiji-1 is the first technology demonstration satellite of the Taiji Program in Space, with the gravitational reference sensor (GRS) serving as one of its key scientific payloads. For accurate accelerometer measurements, the test-mass center of the GRS must be positioned precisely at the center of gravity of the satellite to avoid measurement disturbances caused by angular acceleration and gradient. Due to installation and measurement errors, fuel consumption during in-flight phase, and other factors, the offset between the test-mass center and the center-of-mass (COM) of the satellite can be significant, degrading the measurement accuracy of the accelerometer. Therefore, the offset needs to be estimated and controlled within the required range by the center-of-mass adjustment mechanism during the satellite's lifetime. In this paper, we present a novel method, the Extended Kalman Filter combined with Rauch-Tung-Striebel Smoother, to estimate the offset, while utilizing the chi-square test to eliminate outliers. Additionally, the nonlinear Least Squares estimation algorithm is employed as a crosscheck to estimate the offset of COM. The two methods are shown to give consistent results, with the offset estimated to be $dx \approx $$-$$0.19$ mm, $dy \approx 0.64$ mm, and $dz \approx $$-$$0.82$ mm. The results indicate a significant improvement on the noise level of GRS after the COM calibration, which will be of great help for the future Taiji program.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2020

Side-On transition radiation detector: a detector prototype for TeV energy scale calibration of calorimeters in space

Transition Radiation (TR) plays an important role in particle identification in high-energy physics and its characteristics provide a feasible method of energy calibration in the energy range up to 10 TeV, which is of interest for dark matter searches in cosmic rays. In a Transition Radiation Detector (TRD), the TR signal is superimposed onto the ionization energy loss signal induced by incident charged particles. In order to make the TR signal stand out from the background of ionization energy loss in a significant way, we optimized both the radiators and the detector. We have designed a new prototype of regular radiator optimized for a maximal TR photon yield, combined with the Side-On TRD which is supposed to improve the detection efficiency of TR. We started a test beam experiment with the Side-On TRD at Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN), and found that the experimental data is consistent with the simulation results.

astro-ph.IM↗