The current status of research in ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray physics: A brief review

The origin and nature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs, E > 10¹⁸ eV) is one of the most intriguing unsolved problems of modern astrophysics. This review is dedicated to the current status of research in this field. We describe the largest ongoing experiments carried out at the Pierre Auger Observatory and Telescope Array, at the first orbital detector of UHECRs, that is, TUS, and for the KLPVE and JEM-EUSO orbital telescopes, which are currently being developed. We discuss the latest results on the energy spectrum and mass composition of UHECRs and the relationship between UHECRs on the one hand and ultrahigh-energy neutrinos and photons on the other. Finally, we review the latest results on the anisotropy of the arrival directions of UHECRs, which is a crucially important area of research in the search for astrophysical sources of cosmic rays in the highest energy range.     

A brief history of gravitational wave research

For the benefit of the readers of this journal, the editors requested that we prepare a brief review of the history of the development of the theory, the experimental attempts to detect them, and the recent direct observations of gravitational waves (GWs). The theoretical ideas and disputes beginning with Einstein in 1916 regarding the existence and nature of gravitational waves and the extent to which one can rely on the electromagnetic analogy, especially the controversies regarding the quadrupole formula and whether gravitational waves carry energy, are discussed. The theoretical conclusions eventually received strong observational support from the binary pulsar. This provided compelling, although indirect, evidence for gravitational waves carrying away energy—as predicted by the quadrupole formula. On the direct detection experimental side, Joseph Weber started more than fifty years ago. In 1966, his bar for GW detection reached a strain sensitivity of a few times ${10}^{?16}$. His announcement of coincident signals (now considered spurious), stimulated many experimental efforts from room temperature resonant masses to cryogenic detectors and laser-interferometers. Now there are km-sized interferometric detectors (LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, Virgo and KAGRA). Advanced LIGO first reached a strain sensitivity of the order of ${10}^{?22}$. During their first 130 days of observation (O1 run), with the aid of templates generated by numerical relativity, they did make the first detections: two 5-σ GW events and one likely event. Besides earth-based GW detectors, the drag-free sensitivity of the LISA Pathfinder has already reached to the LISA goal level, paving the road for space GW detectors. Over the whole GW spectrum (from aHz to THz) there are efforts for detection, notably the very-low-frequency band (pulsar timing array [PTA], 300 pHz – 100 nHz) and the extremely-low (Hubble)-frequency (cosmic microwave background [CMB] experiment, 1 aHz – 10 fHz).     

A brief history of measurement

The aim of this paper is to situate the subject of measurement and metrology in its historical and philosophical context. Everyone agrees that the numeration of objects and the quantification of the characteristics of some simple systems are very ancient practices encountered in any specific civilisation. Indeed the link between measurement and numeration comes from the beginnings. This is recalled here, as are the links between units and money, between references and authority. Then, the paper identifies and exhibits the different epistemological gaps occurred – or occurring – in the history of measurement in the western countries: geometry versus arithmetics, model versus experiment, prediction versus uncertainty, determinism versus quantum physics. Those gaps are described in relationship to the evolution of the internationally agreed system of units.     

A brief history of PEEM

The evolution of cathode lens-based photo emission electron microscopy (PEEM) from the simple beginnings in the early 1930s to its sophisticated present state is discussed. In addition to conventional ultraviolet light-excited PEEM (UV-PEEM), laser excited PEEM and the various modes of synchrotron X-ray-excited PEEM (XPEEM) particular emphasis is placed on the complementary combination of these methods with low energy electron microscopy (LEEM).     

Colour and art: A brief history of pigments

Human beings have had an inherent urge to leave their mark in the form of works of art since prehistoric times. This has driven the quest for new and better pigments with which to make paints. This paper describes the origins and composition of earliest earth pigments used by primitive man to decorate the walls of caves through to the synthetic pigments developed in more recent times. Despite modern technology, the artist's palette remains a mixture of the pigments used by cave artists, natural pigments used in the middle ages, and modern organic compounds.     

Atomic fountains and optical clocks at SYRTE: Status and perspectives

In this article, we report on the work done with the LNE–SYRTE atomic clock ensemble during the last 10 years. We cover the progress made in atomic fountains and in their application to timekeeping. We also cover the development of optical lattice clocks based on strontium and on mercury. We report on tests of fundamental physical laws made with these highly accurate atomic clocks. We also report on work relevant to a future possible redefinition of the SI second.     

Atomic clocks based on coherent population trapping: a review

The paper gives an overview of the use of the coherent population trapping phenomenon (CPT) in alkali-metal atoms in the implementation of atomic frequency standards. Several avenues are examined. These include: the approach using a combination of the CPT phenomenon and the Ramsey separated interaction field technique on an atomic beam; the passive approach in a cell in which the microwave hyperfine resonance excited by the CPT phenomenon is detected directly on the transmitted radiation; the maser approach in which the same resonance is observed by means of stimulated emission in a microwave cavity-cell arrangement; and, finally, the proposed approach using pulses in a time sequence that implements the combined CPT–Ramsey separated interaction field technique in time rather than in space. A review of field and laboratory implementations using these approaches is made.     

金属玻璃研究简史

金属玻璃的发明和研究已经整整50年了.半个世纪以来,金属玻璃不但成为性能独特的新材料,同时也是研究材料科学和凝聚态物理中一些重要问题的模型体系.金属玻璃的研究已经成为凝聚态物理的一个重要分支.文章简要介绍了金属玻璃的研究历史以及最新的进展,并扼要介绍了这门学科的发展前景.     

Tetrodotoxin: a brief history

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), contained in puffer, has become an extremely popular chemical tool in the physiological and pharmacological laboratories since our discovery of its channel blocking action in the early 1960s. This brief review describes the history of discovery of TTX action on sodium channels, and represents a story primarily of my own work. TTX inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels in a highly potent and selective manner without effects on any other receptor and ion channel systems. TTX blocks the sodium channel only from outside of the nerve membrane, and is due to binding to the selectivity filter resulting in prevention of sodium ion flow. It does not impairs the channel gating mechanism. More recently, the TTX-resistant sodium channels have been discovered in the nervous system and received much attention because of their role in pain sensation. TTX is now known to be produced not by puffer but by bacteria, and reaches various species of animals via food chain.(Communicated by Masanori OTSUKA, M.J.A.).     

幂律分布研究简史

自然界与社会生活中存在各种各样性质迥异的幂律分布现象,因而对它们的研究具有广泛而深远的意义.近年来,借助于有效的物理和数学工具以及强大的计算机运算能力,科学家们对幂律分布的本质有了进一步深层次的理解.文章从统计物理学的角度,简要介绍了幂律分布的研究史以及最新的进展,并对它的形成机制及动力学影响作了一些简要的阐述.     

泡沫物理学史拾萃

人们对泡沫习以为常,却很难理解它的奇特性质,比如几乎完全由空气组成的泡沫,既能像固体一样发生弹性形变,又能像流体一样发生流动,这正是泡沫物理学的研究内容之一.泡沫物理是一门古老的学科,早在19世纪中下叶,气泡和泡沫结构静力学的描述已经完美,之后没有大的发展,直到1990年前后,随着流体力学、微观显像技术和计算技术等学科的发展,以及受材料科学和工业生产的需求,泡沫物理研究再次活跃起来.文章第一作者曾跟随英国皇家学会院士Denis Weaire从事泡沫物理研究多年,在他的演讲和个人收藏中,文章作者积累了一些材料,在此基础上,又仔细查阅了相关文献,整理成此文,它基本概括了泡沫结构静力学发展历程中的重要事件.     

泡沫物理学史拾萃

人们对泡沫习以为常,却很难理解它的奇特性质,比如几乎完全由空气组成的泡沫,既能像固体一样发生弹性形变,又能像流体一样发生流动,这正是泡沫物理学的研究内容之一.泡沫物理是一门古老的学科,早在19世纪中下叶,气泡和泡沫结构静力学的描述已经完美,之后没有大的发展,直到1990年前后,随着流体力学、微观显像技术和计算技术等学科的发展,以及受材料科学和工业生产的需求,泡沫物理研究再次活跃起来.文章第一作者曾跟随英国皇家学会院士Denis Weaire从事泡沫物理研究多年,在他的演讲和个人收藏中,文章作者积累了一些材料,在此基础上,又仔细查阅了相关文献,整理成此文,它基本概括了泡沫结构静力学发展历程中的重要事件.     

热超构材料十年简史

文章简要介绍了热超构材料自2008年以来的十年发展历程。作者挑选了24篇文章按照出版时间的先后顺序,逐一点评,在呈现新物理和新应用的同时,亦述及人文思想。期望此举有助读者快速了解该领域的全貌及未来发展趋势。     

希格斯玻色子发现简史

希格斯玻色子于2012年的发现是粒子物理发展史上的一座里程碑。它为标准模型补上了最后一块拼图,希格斯机制的提出者们也因此获得了2013年的诺贝尔物理学奖。在希格斯玻色子发现十周年之际,文章将带领读者简短回顾希格斯玻色子从提出到发现的近半个世纪的历史。