ESR in the Earth’s magnetic field as a cause of dislocation motion in NaCl crystals

The resonance displacements of the dislocations, l ∼ 100 μm, in NaCl crystals placed in the crossed Earth’s magnetic field B _Earth and the ac field $ \tilde B $ \tilde B ≈ 3 μT of the variable frequency ν ∼ 10⁶ Hz have been discovered in the absence of any other impact on the crystals. Two peaks of the mean dislocation path l(ν) with the maxima at ν₁ = 1.3 MHz and ν₂ = 3 MHz have been observed for the field $ \tilde B $ \tilde B oriented along the vertical and horizontal components of B _Earth, respectively. The effect is explained by the depinning of the dislocations from the impurity centers after their structural transformation due to the ESR in the dislocation-impurity system in the crossed fields. The subsequent motion of the dislocations proceeds under the action of internal stress in the crystals. A physical model has been proposed to explain the strong anisotropy of the effect with respect to the mutual orientation of the dislocation lines and magnetic fields.     

Anisotropic resonant magnetoplasticity of NaCl crystals in the Earth’s magnetic field

Resonant relaxation of the dislocation structure under the action of crossed magnetic fields, i.e., constant magnetic field of the Earth (B _Earth) and alternating radio-frequency field ( $\tilde B$ ), has been experimentally studied in a series of dielectric (NaCl) crystals with various compositions of impurities under variations in the frequency, direction of the pumping field $\tilde B$ , and orientation of the samples in the Earth’s magnetic field. The frequency dependence of the dislocation path length l(ν) exhibits peaks with various heights (l _max) and resonant frequencies (ν_res). The maximum resonant effect has been observed for dislocations with the direction L orthogonal to the plane of crossed magnetic fields in a configuration of mutually perpendicular vectors {L, $\tilde B$ , B _Earth} belonging, together with sample edges {a, b, c}, to the 〈100〉 system. Variation of the concentration C of calcium impurity in crystals of the NaCl_Ca series only influenced the resonant peak height as $l_{\max } \propto 1/\sqrt C $ . Rotation of the magnetic field $\tilde B$ in the (b, c) plane from direction $\tilde B$ ⊥ B _Earth to $\tilde B$ ∥ B _Earth also did not influence the frequency of the resonance but changed its amplitude. Depending on the crystal type, this influence changed from rather insignificant (in crystals of the NaCl_LOMO series) to complete suppression of the effect for $\tilde B$ ∥ B _Earth (in the NaCl_Nik series). The resonant frequency ν_res is sensitive to orientation of the sample with respect to B _Earth. Upon rotation of the crystal by the angle θ = ∠(c, B _Earth) about the a ⊥ B _Earth edge, the initial peak for dislocations L ‖ a at the crystal orientation θ = 0 and the frequency ν _res ⁰ is replaced by a pair of peaks at frequencies ν_{1, 2} ≈ ν _res ⁰ cosθ_{1, 2}, where θ₁ = 90° ? θ and θ₂ = θ. Previously, these peaks were observed separately in NaCl_Nik crystals for $\tilde B$ ∥ c and $\tilde B$ ∥ b. In the present study, these peaks have been observed simultaneously for both orientations of $\tilde B$ in NaCl_LOMO and NaCl_Ca crystals, where the resonance is not completely suppressed for $\tilde B$ ∥ B _Earth.     

Change in the microhardness of nonmagnetic crystals after their exposure to the Earth’s magnetic field and AC pump field in the EPR scheme

Changes in the microhardness of ZnO, triglycine sulfate (TGS), and potassium acid phthalate (KAP) crystals after their exposure to crossed ultralow magnetic fields, i.e., the Earth’s field B _Earth ≈ 50 μT and the alternating-current field \(\tilde B \approx 3 \mu {\rm T}\) orthogonal to it, have been revealed. In ZnO crystals, the microhardness increases, whereas in TGS and KAP, it decreases. A maximum change (10–15%) is reached within 1–3 h after magnetic treatment; then, the microhardness gradually recovers to its initial value for the first day. After a sufficient pause, the effect is completely reproduced under the same conditions. The resonant frequency of the pump field \(\tilde B\) corresponds to the EPR condition with a g-factor close to two. The magnetic memory exhibits a strong anisotropy: for each of the crystals, a direction is found, which, being coincident with the Earth’s magnetic field vector B _Earth, causes complete or partial suppression of the effect. In ZnO and TGS crystals, these are symmetry axes 6 and 2, respectively. In the KAP crystal, it is the direction in the cleavage plane orthogonal the 2 axis. Possible physical mechanisms of the observed phenomena have been discussed.     

Neutron interference in the Earth’s gravitational field

This work relates to the famous experiments, performed in 1975 and 1979 by Werner et al., measuring neutron interference and neutron Sagnac effects in the earth’s gravitational field. Employing the method of Stodolsky in its weak field approximation, explicit expressions are derived for the two phase shifts, which turn out to be in agreement with the experiments and with the previously obtained expressions derived from semi-classical arguments: these expressions are simply modified by relativistic correction factors.     

A critical fluid in the Earth’s gravity field

This work proposes a mechanism for the physical processes underlying the wide practical application of the unique properties of a substance in a critical state—critical fluid (CF)—in contemporary technologies. According to the fluctuation theory of phase transitions (FTPT), this mechanism may be due to the fluctuation and structural characteristics of a critical fluid, which determine its equilibrium and kinetic properties. Among such characteristics are the system correlation radius Rs, the number of order parameter fluctuations N _f ~ R _s ^-3 per mole of critical fluid, and the fluctuation component of the thermodynamic potential F*_f = N _f k T _c/(P _c V _c) = C ₀ R _s ^-3 . These structural characteristics are studied with the use of experimental gravity effect data, such as the altitude and temperature dependencies of the scattered light intensity I(z, t) in a heterogeneous substance (n-pentane) near the critical vaporization temperature. Using these results and the literature data on the formation of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles with the use of SC-H₂O, the propagation velocity of substance molecules v _f ≈ 106 cm/s is estimated for the origination and decay of order parameter fluctuations. It has been concluded that just such high propagation velocities of substance molecules most likely cause the unique properties of a critical fluid during their practical application in a number of engineering processes.     

Current sheets in the Earth’s magnetosphere and in laboratory experiments: The magnetic field structure and the Hall effect

The main characteristics of current sheets (CSs) formed in laboratory experiments are compared with the results of satellite observations of CSs in the Earth’s magnetotail. We show that many significant features of the magnetic field structure and the distributions of plasma parameters in laboratory and magnetospheric CSs exhibit a qualitative similarity, despite the enormous differences of scales, absolute values of plasma parameters, magnetic fields, and currents. In addition to a qualitative comparison, we give a number of dimensionless parameters that demonstrate the possibility of laboratory modeling of the processes occurring in the magnetosphere.     

Measurement of the deflection of cosmic-ray electrons in the energy range 75–250 GeV by the Earth’s magnetic field with the PAMELA experiment

The deflection of electrons in the Earth’s magnetic field in the energy range 75–250 GeV (the so-called east-west effect) has been measured with the PAMELA satellite-borne experiment. The results are presented for various L-shells. The data obtained can be used to construct mathematical models that describe the structure of the Earth’s magnetic field and to refine the already existing models. These data can also be directly applied to estimate the positron fraction in cosmic-ray electron fluxes both in the PAMELA experiment and in other satellite-borne experiments.     

Simulation of the electric field in Earth’s ionosphere during a geomagnetic storm

Previously, a global self-consistent model of the thermosphere, ionosphere, and protonosphere (GSM TIP) was used to study the ionospheric effects of geomagnetic storms in 2005, 2006, 2010, and 2011. In these studies, the input parameters of the model were specified using different dependences of variations of the potential difference across the polar caps and of the spatial distribution of Region 2 field-aligned currents during geomagnetic storms on the geomagnetic activity indices, solar wind parameters, and interplanetary magnetic field parameters. In the present work, we have tried to examine how correct was the choice of these relationships and how faithful are the obtained global distributions of the electric field in the ionosphere. For this, we present the results of a comparative analysis of the electric field in the ionosphere during geomagnetic storms of May 2–3, 2010, obtained using two models (GSM TIP and LC06) based on different approaches to solving this problem.     

Coexisting stochastic and coherence resonance in a mean-field dynamo model for Earth’s magnetic field reversals

Using a spherically symmetric mean-field α²-dynamomodel for Earth’s magnetic field reversals, we show thecoexistence of the noise-induced phenomena coherence resonance and stochastic resonance. Stochastic resonance was recentlyinvoked to explain the 100 kyr periodicity in the distribution ofresidence times between reversals.The comparison of the resulting residence time distribution withthe paleomagnetic one allows for some estimate ofthe effective diffusion time of the Earth’s core which may be100 kyr or slightly below rather than200 kyr as it would result from the molecular resistivity.     

Cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere

This paper presents a brief historical overview of studies of cosmic rays in the Earth’s atmosphere, which were initiated and led by S.N. Vernov for over 50 years. The main results of these studies that were obtained in recent decades are given. They include the study of the processes of generation and propagation of solar cosmic rays, the modulation of galactic cosmic rays in the heliomagnetosphere, and the role of cosmic rays in atmospheric processes.     

The connection between cosmic rays and changes in the geomagnetic field and the Earth’s climate

The possible influence of changes in cosmic ray fluxes on climate variability has been the subject of wide speculation in recent years. New studies show that the interrelation between the parameters of the geomagnetic field and climate can also be followed on time scales of different lengths. We present our analysis of data on cosmic rays and changes in climate and the geomagnetic field obtained from different natural archives.     

Metallic layer in the Earth’s lower mantle

We predict the insulator-metal-insulator transitions for the temperature and pressure of the lower mantle with the metal layer thickness Δh ≈ 400 km at the depth of 1400–1800 km. The insulator-metal transition has the Mott-Hubbard origin, while the second transition from metal to insulator results from spin crossover of the Fe²⁺ ions from high spin S = 2 to low spin S = 0 state. The conductivity in the metal layer may attain 250 S/m. The depth profile of the conductivity is also suggested.     

Registering Jovian electrons in the Earth’s orbit

The results from observing Jovian electrons in the vicinity of the Earth are discussed. Variations in Jovian electron flows are observed during 14 rotations of the Sun in 2007–2008. The results are analyzed by assuming the existence of magnetic traps in the space between the Sun and Jupiter that are filled with electrons near Jupiter, and are then registered when the traps pass by the Earth. The average period of variation in the Jovian electron flow during the 14 solar rotations is 26.2 days instead of the expected synodic period of the Sun–Earth system equal to 27.3 days. An explanation for this phenomenon is proposed.     

Effects of satellite positioning errors and Earth’s multipole moments in the detection of the gravitomagnetic field with an orbiting gravity gradiometer

The paper deals with a dynamical system analysis related to phantom cosmological model. Here gravity is coupled to phantom scalar field having scalar coupling function and a potential. The field equations are reduced to an autonomous dynamical system by a suitable redefinition of the basic variables and assuming some suitable form of the potential function. Finally, critical points are evaluated, their nature have been analyzed and corresponding cosmological scenario has been discussed.     

Anisotropy of the Resonance Transformation of the Microhardness of Crystals after Their Exposure in the EPR Scheme in the Earth’s Magnetic Field

It is shown that the preliminary exposure of ZnO, triglycine sulfate, and potassium hydrogen phthalate crystals in ultralow crossed magnetic fields—Earth’s magnetic field and ac pump field—leads to a resonance change in their microhardness. The resonance frequency of microhardness peaks is determined by the classical condition of electron paramagnetic resonance only at certain orientations of the crystals with respect to the Earth’s magnetic field B_Earth. Rotations of all samples with respect to the direction B_Earth by angle θ reduce the resonance frequency in proportion to cosθ. The observed anisotropy has been attributed to the presence of their own local magnetic fields B_loc ? B_Earth in the crystals.     

On Ohm’s law in the thin current sheets of the Earth’s magnetosphere

The analytical and numerical dependences of the total transverse current on an electric field, the normal component of a magnetic field and the ion and electron temperatures are obtained using analytical approximation of numerical results provided by a self-consistent model of the magnetospheric thin sheet. The dependence of current on the parameters ?, T _i , b _n is shown to be nonlinear. The relative contributions of different plasma components into the total current are estimated.     

High-energy cosmic ray muons in the Earth’s atmosphere

We present the calculations of the atmospheric muon fluxes at energies 10–10⁷ GeV based on a numerical-analytical method for solving the hadron-nucleus cascade equations. It allows the non-power-law behavior of the primary cosmic ray (PCR) spectrum, the violation of Feynman scaling, and the growth of the total inelastic cross sections for hadron-nucleus collisions with increasing energy to be taken into account. The calculations have been performed for a wide class of hadron-nucleus interaction models using directly the PCR measurements made in the ATIC-2 and GAMMA experiments and the parameterizations of the primary spectrum based on a set of experiments. We study the dependence of atmospheric muon flux characteristics on the hadronic interaction model and the influence of uncertainties in the PCR spectrum and composition on the muon flux at sea level. Comparison of the calculated muon energy spectra at sea level with the data from a large number of experiments shows that the cross sections for hadron-nucleus interactions introduce the greatest uncertainty in the energy region that does not include the knee in the primary spectrum.     

Effect of variations in the Earth’s electrical field caused by weather conditions on neutron monitoring

Variations in cosmic rays are investigated on the basis of the Tien Shan neutron monitor data. The Earth’s electrical field during snowfall, rain, and thunderstorm activity is considered as a modulating factor. It is established that the effect of the electrical field on the monitor data becomes apparent at values exceeding 15–20 kV m⁻¹ in the atmosphere of a thunderstorm. The response is as high as 1.5% for recorded particles with energies lower than 10 GeV.     

A study of non-extensivity in the Earth’s magnetosphere

Magnetic storms are undoubtedly among the most important phenomena in space physics and also a central subject of space weather. The non-extensive Tsallis entropy has been recently introduced, as an effective complexity measure for the analysis of the geomagnetic activity D _st index. Tsallis entropy has been shown to sensitively detect the complexity dissimilarity between pre-storm activity and intense magnetic storms in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Here, we show that the D _st time series obey a modified form of the Gutenberg-Richter law for the case of non-extensive statistics, thus providing evidence for universality in magnetic storm and earthquake occurrence.