Forbush decreases recorded by the URAGAN muon hodoscope in 2006–2011

Variations in the cosmic ray muon flux on Earth’s surface during Forbush decreases (FD) recorded by the URAGAN muon hodoscope in 2006–2011 are investigated. The dependence of the rate of amplitude reduction on the primary particle energy in a range above 10 GeV at different phases of FD development is studied by analyzing the variations in the cosmic ray muon flux recorded with the hodoscope. Analytical data on the spatial and angular dynamics of the muon flux are used to estimate variations in the spatial anisotropy of the muon flux during FDs.     

Dependence of Forbush-decrease magnitudes on parameters of solar eruptions

By data of the 23^rd solar cycle, it is shown that close statistical relations exist between quantitative parameters of dimmings and arcades caused by solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs), on the one hand, and magnitudes of non-recurrent Forbush-decreases of the galactic cosmic ray flux, as well as the propagation time of disturbances from the Sun to the Earth, on the other hand. Parameters of dimmings and arcades, in particular their summarized magnetic flux of the prolonged field at the photospheric level, were calculated by data of the EUV SOHO/EIT telescope in the 195 Å Received results mean that the scale, characteristics, and propagation time of interplanetary disturbances to the Earth are determined to a large degree by measurable parameters of solar eruptions and may be estimated in advance by observations of dimmings and arcades in the EUV range.     

激光导星共孔径发射接收的偏振分光效率研究

在地平式折轴望远镜上开展自适应光学瑞利激光导星实验,研究了信标光束同孔径发射和接收偏振分光技术。基于镜面膜层复振幅反射特性,采用琼斯矩阵描述方法,建立了偏振分光物理模型,研究了共孔径发射和接收偏振耦合分光的效率问题,并与实验结果进行了比较。结果表明,由于镜面膜层对s光和p光的相位延迟差异,系统偏振分光效率随着望远镜的方位角旋转会发生周期性的变化,同时也受望远镜天顶角变化的影响。在研究光路反射镜相位延迟对往返分光效率影响规律的基础上,提出了提高地平式折轴望远镜激光导星共孔径发射和接收偏振分光效率,消除受望远镜方位角和天顶角变化影响的技术途径。     

Scattering of relativistic electrons by a focused laser pulse

The problem of the motion of a classical relativistic electron in a focused high-intensity laser pulse is solved. A new three-dimensional model of the electromagnetic field, which is an exact solution of Maxwell’s equations, is proposed to describe a stationary laser beam. An extension of the model is proposed. This extension describes a laser pulse of finite duration and is an approximate solution of Maxwell’s equations. The equations for the average motion of an electron in the field of a laser pulse, described by our model, are derived assuming weak spatial and temporal nonuniformities of the field. It is shown that, to a first approximation in the parameters of the nonuniformities, the average (ponderomotive) force acting on a particle is described by the gradient of the ponderomotive potential, but it loses its potential character even in second order. It is found that the three-dimensional ponderomotive potential is asymmetric. The trajectories of relativistic electrons moving in a laser field are obtained and the cross sections for scattering of electrons by a stationary laser beam are calculated. It is shown that reflection of electrons from the laser pulse and the surfing effect are present in the model studied. It is found that for certain impact parameters of the incident electrons the asymmetic ponderomotive potential can manifest itself effectively as an attractive potential. It is also shown that even in the case of a symmetric potential the scattering cross section contains singularities, known as rainbow scattering. The results are applicable for fields characterized by large (compared to 1) values of the dimensionless parameter η² = e ²〈E ²〉/m ²ω² and arbitrary electron energies.     

Dynamics of femtosecond laser-produced plasma ions

We investigated the ion laser-produced plasma plume generated during ultrafast laser ablation of copper and silicon targets in high vacuum. The ablation plasma was induced by ≈50 fs, 800 nm Ti:Sa laser pulses irradiating the target surface at an angle of 45°. An ion probe was used to investigate the time-of-flight profiles of the emitted ions in a laser fluence range from the ablation threshold up to ≈10 J/cm². The angular distribution of the ion flux and average velocity of the produced ions were studied by moving the ion probe on a circle around the ablation spot. The angular distribution of the ion flux is well described by an adiabatic and isentropic model of expansion of a plume produced by laser ablation of solid targets. The angular distribution of the ion flux narrows as the laser pulse fluence increases. Moreover, the ion average velocity reaches values of several tens of km/s, evidencing the presence of ions with kinetic energy of several hundred eV. Finally, the ion flux energy is confined in a narrow angular region around the target normal.     

Tycho’s supernova remnant as a source of cosmic rays in our galaxy

The Tycho’s supernova remnant was observed using the SHALON atmospheric Cherenkov telescope at the Tien Shan High-Altitude Observatory. This object has long been considered to be a candidate for sources of cosmic ray hadrons in the Northern Hemisphere. In [1, 2], the Tycho’s properties were described using the nonlinear kinetic model of cosmic ray acceleration in supernovae remnants. The expected γ-ray flux from π ⁰-decay extends to energies > 30 eV, whereas the γ-ray photon flux generated by inverse Compton scattering is cut off above several TeV. Therefore, the detection of γ-rays at energies of 10–80 TeV by the SHALON telescope is an indication of their hadron origin. From the SHALON telescope data, additional information on such parameters of the Tycho’s supernova remnant as the distance and interstellar medium density was obtained within the theory [1, 2].     

Energy Characteristics of Wave Fields Radiated from Elementary Oscillators in a Nondispersive Medium Moving with Subluminal Velocity

We study the energy characteristics of fields radiated from electric, magnetic, and toroidal dipoles in a nondispersive medium moving with velocity lower than the speed of light in this medium. The angular dependences of Abraham's energy-flux density of electromagnetic field are analyzed. In particular, it is shown that if the medium velocity is high enough, then the radial component of the vector of energy-flux density is negative in a certain angular range. Expressions for the electromagnetic energy flux through a sphere of large radius are obtained. It is shown that if the velocity of a moving medium is high enough, then the energy flux is negative and its absolute value can exceed the energy losses of sources.     

Small‐angle pump–probe studies of photoexcited nanoparticles

X‐ray scattering experiments on femtosecond laser‐excited gold nanoparticle suspensions are presented. It is shown that the time‐resolved pump–probe technique using the X‐ray pulse structure at synchrotron sources is capable of resolving structural dynamics on the nanometer scale to high precision. The estimation of X‐ray flux density allows the projection of experiments on an X‐ray free‐electron laser probing single nanoparticles in a one‐shot exposure.     

Thermal neutron flux detection near the Earth’s surface

The thermal neutron flux near the Earth’s surface has been measured using large unshielded neutron scintillator detectors of a new type, based on ZnS(Ag) and lithium fluoride, enriched with ⁶Li to 90%. The existence of a gradient of the thermal neutron concentration near the Earth’s surface is shown.     

脉冲激光引起金属靶板层裂的阈值条件

本文考虑单脉冲激光作用于金属靶引起的应力波单次反射导致层裂的阈值条件,包括激光通量与应力波强度的定标关系、应力波传播时的衰减、入射波与反射波相互作用以及不同层裂判据的比较。本文结果指出,对于一定的激光通量和靶板厚度,只有一定范围内的激光脉宽才能造成层裂,最低激光通量则对应于最佳激光脉宽。本文的方法和结论也适合于飞片撞击造成的层裂现象。     

On the fictitious nonlinearity of the surface impedance of the Earth’s crust

The observations of Alfvén oscillations of the magnetosphere are used to study the Earth’s crust and upper mantle by the magnetotelluric sounding method. The sounding procedure involves the measurement of the horizontal components of the electromagnetic field at a given point on the ground, the calculation of the surface impedance, and the determination of the conductivity of rocks from these data. It has been shown that the anharmonicity of the oscillations of the magnetosphere in combination with the nonlocality of the boundary condition on the ground gives rise to the amplitude dependence of the impedance calculated using the classical magnetotelluric sounding method. This apparent nonlinearity of the impedance can be manifested in the sounding of the Earth’s interior with intense electromagnetic pulsations, which appear when the Earth’s magnetosphere is embedded in the highspeed solar wind flow.     

Muon diagnostics of the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere

A method of distant monitoring of the Earth’s magnetosphere and atmosphere is described, which is based on the close correlation between the modulations in the flux of atmospheric muons detected at the Earth’s surface and the dynamic processes in the Earth’s magnetosphere and atmosphere and implies the use of large-area muon hodoscopes with high angular accuracy of muon detection. The results of the analysis of the experimental data obtained on the muon hodoscopes used at the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute show that muon detection at the Earth’s surface in the hodoscopic mode gives a qualitatively new information about the main sources of muon flux modulation.     

One-dimensional atom laser in microgravity

Using coupled Gross-Pitaevksii (GP) equations, we simulate the output of one-dimensional pulsed atom laser in space station. We get two atom laser pulses propagating in opposite directions with one pulsed RF coupling. Compared with atom laser under gravity, the laser pulse in microgravity shows much slower moving speed, which is suitable to be used for long-term investigations. We also simulate the output flux at different coupling strengths.     

Plasmon–polariton assisted formation of nanotip arrays on surfaces of bulk aluminum upon femtosecond laser irradiation

Two new methods for the formation of nanotip arrays under the action of single or double femtosecond laser pulses on a surface of bulk aluminum are presented. It is shown that a key role in the formation of nanotips is played by the excitation of surface electromagnetic waves and their mutual interference, and by their interference with the exciting electromagnetic field of the laser pulse.     

High-order optical harmonic generation from solid surfaces

During the interaction of an intense ultrashort laser pulse with solid targets, a thin layer of surface plasma is generated in which the density drops to the vacuum level in a distance much shorter than the wavelength. This sharp plasma-vacuum boundary performs an oscillatory motion in response to the electromagnetic forces of the intense laser light. It is shown that the generation of reflected harmonics can be interpreted as a phase modulation experienced by the light upon reflection from the oscillating boundary. The modulation side-bands of the reflected frequency spectrum correspond to odd and even harmonics of the laser frequency. Retardation effects lead to a strong anharmonicity for high velocities of the plasma-vacuum boundary. As a result, harmonic generation is strongly enhanced in the relativistic regime of laser intensities.Prof. F. P. Schäfer on the occasion of his 65th birthday.     

激光诱导荧光雷达探测系统仿真研究

激光诱导荧光技术是一种应用广泛的新型遥测技术,为了指导实际激光诱导荧光探测系统的搭建,介绍了荧光检测原理,设计了激光诱导荧光雷达探测系统。以测量水面石油类污染物为例,通过分析激光诱导荧光雷达探测系统中发射系统及接收系统主要参数对系统信噪比的影响,可根据测量条件选择合适的系统参数。在实验室条件下,选用单脉冲能量为50 μJ的Nd:YAG激光器,接收视场角0.1 mrad,滤光片带宽60 nm的接收系统,可以检验浓度为10个/L的粒子。     

Research on a flash imaging lidar based on a multiple-streak tube

A flash imaging lidar based on a multiple-streak tube is presented in this paper; a fiber remapping optics maps light from an area in the focal plane of an imaging lens to multiple rows of fibers on the streak tube’s photocathode. The lidar system contains a multiple-streak tube, laser, transmitting and receiving telescope, remapping optical fibers, and CCD to capture stripe images from the streak tube’s phosphor screen. Data processing yields 48 × 48-pixel intensity and range images for each laser pulse. An experiment to test the property of this lidar is carried out in the laboratory; the intensity images and range images are gained by image remapping, and the range sampling is 0.21 m. Field test imagery demonstrated the capability of the flash lidar system to image a building 705 m away.     

The synthesis of organic molecules in a laser plasma similar to the plasma that emerges in hypervelocity collisions of matter at the early evolutionary stage of the Earth and in interstellar clouds

Ions of organic molecules and polymers as well as multiply ionized hydrocarbons were synthesized and detected with a time-of-flight mass analyzer in laboratory experiments simulating with a laser the plasma processes that accompany a hypervelocity micrometeorite impact on the target surface. A hypervelocity impact of micrometeorites moving at velocities of 80 km s^?1 on a inorganic target was simulated with a Q-switched laser. The laser provided a power density of 10⁹?10¹¹ W cm^?2 in a spot with an impact diameter of 30–150 μm for a pulse duration of 7–10 ns and a laser plasma electron density of 10⁵?10⁶ K. The ions of organic compounds are shown to be synthesized mostly during the free expansion of a hot laser plasma at the stage of its cooling and recombination if, initially, the plasma was completely atomized and ionized. Molecular ions have high yields only for a carbon target. The results obtained indicate that organic or other polyatomic compounds can be abiogenically synthesized in intense hypervelocity meteorite impacts on the Earth’s surface at the early stage of its formation during meteorite showers and in hypervelocity collisions of dust particles in interstellar molecular clouds.     

Ensemble of ultra-high intensity attosecond pulses from laser-plasma interaction

The efficient generation of intense X-rays and γ-radiation is studied. The scheme is based on the relativistic mirror concept, i.e., a flying thin plasma slab interacts with a counterpropagating laser pulse, reflecting part of it in the form of an intense ultra-short electromagnetic pulse having an up-shifted frequency. In the proposed scheme a series of relativistic mirrors is generated in the interaction of the intense laser with a thin foil target as the pulse tears off and accelerates thin electron layers. A counterpropagating pulse is reflected by these flying layers in the form of an ensemble of ultra-short pulses resulting in a significant energy gain of the reflected radiation due to the momentum transfer from flying layers.