Energy spectra for decaying 2D turbulence in a bounded domain

We use results derived in the framework of the replica approach to study the liquid-glass thermodynamic transition. The main results are derived without using replicas and applied to the study of the Lennard-Jones binary mixture introduced by Kob and Andersen. We find that there is a phase transition due to the entropy crisis. We compute both analytically and numerically the value of the phase transition point T(K) and the specific heat in the low temperature phase.     

Laser satellite ranging as a hazard to overflying aircraft

The probability of a laser beam striking an aircraft and causing eye damage to an occupant during a laser ranging experiment is considered. A general formula for the probability is obtained. Application of the formula to a typical case shows that one such incident might occur every year unless precautions are taken to avoid them.     

Spectra of Zn XIX and Zn XX in the 20–50 Å region

We have analyzed the spectra of highly ionized zinc and identified twenty four new lines of Zn XIX and Zn XX in the 20–50 Å region. The lines in this region are principally due to the transitions of the type 3snp, 3pnd, ns and 3dnf, np where $\text{n ? 4}$. The spectra were excited by laser irradiation of zinc in a vacuum and the lines have been identified by extrapolating the published data for isoelectronic ions.     

Fusion in prospect

In the first part of this introductory review we outline the developments in photonic band gap materials from the physics of photonic band gap formation to the fabrication and potential applications of photonic crystals. We briefly describe the analogies between electron and photon localization, present a simple model of a band structure calculation and describe some of the techniques used for fabricating photonic crystals. Also some applications in the field of photonics and optical circuitry are briefly presented. In the second part, we discuss the consequences for the interaction between an atom and the light field when the former is embedded in photonic crystals of a specific type, exhibiting a specific form of a gap in the density of states. We first briefly review the standard treatment (Weisskopf?–?Wigner theory) in describing the dynamics of spontaneous emission in free space from first principles, and then proceed by explaining the alterations needed to properly treat the case of a two-level atom embedded in a photonic band gap material.     

Opacity measurements of a hot iron plasma using an x-ray laser

The temporal evolution of the opacity of an iron plasma at high temperature (30-350 eV) and high density (0.001-0.2 g cm-3) has been measured using a nickel-like silver x-ray laser at 13.9 nm. The hot dense iron plasma was created in a thin (50 nm) iron layer buried 80 nm below the surface in a plastic target that was heated using a separate 80 ps pulse of 6-9 J, focused to a 100 microm diameter spot. The experimental opacities are compared with opacities evaluated from plasma conditions predicted using a fluid and atomic physics code.