Quasivarieties of Metric Algebras

We introduce concepts of a continuous family of quasi-identities and of a continuous quasivariety. For continuous quasivarieties, a characterization theorem and an analog of the Birkhoff theorem on subdirect decomposition are proved. Also we point out the way of constructing examples of continuous quasivarieties and furnish the characterization of a relative congruence lattice of systems in the quasivarieties in question. Lastly, we re-prove the Hahn–Banach theorem on extension of a linear functional.     

Femtosecond pulse excitation of vibrational wave packets in chloroform: The effect of gold nanoparticles

Excitation of pure chloroform or a gold colloid in chloroform (average nanoparticle diameter of 2.5 nm) with 740-nm femtosecond pulses of 23-fs duration leads to oscillations in the differential absorption signal ΔA(λ, t) recorded using white-light continuum. The main oscillation modes for both systems are close to the chloroform Raman resonance frequencies of 260, 367, and 668 cm⁻¹. However, marked narrowing and splitting of bands in the Fourier-transform spectra of oscillations are observed in the system of gold colloid in chloroform. The intensity of oscillations linearly increases with the pump pulse intensity in the cases of pure chloroform and the system of gold colloid in chloroform. Apparently, the principal mechanism of excitation of coherent packets in chloroform is femtosecond impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS). Dissolution of gold nanoparticles leads to a four- to sixfold enhancement of the Raman resonance signal of chloroform in the gold colloid as compared with pure chloroform. The increase in the intensity of Raman resonances is presumably due to amplification in the near field of gold nanoparticles.     

Dust vortices, clouds, and jets in nuclear-induced plasmas

The collective movement of dust particles in a plasma formed during deceleration of decay products of californium nuclei in neon is investigated experimentally. For the first time, compact vortex structures containing a large number of coagulating dust particles and dense dust clouds evolving in time are observed. Dust formations have clearly defined boundaries and particles in them form ordered liquid-type structures. Under steady-state conditions, dust structures exist from several minutes to hours. An increase in the voltage applied to the high-voltage electrode leads to the formation of dust particle jets. A change in the electric field configuration transforms the structures from one type to another. A strong recombination of electrons and ions at dust particles is observed. The momentum transfer from ions drifting in an external field to gas molecules is studied using the Monte Carlo method. It is shown that the transferred momentum is so large that it may cause a gas flow. The characteristic features of vortex flow in neon and in air are explained.     

Free energy in the (2+1)-dimensional SU(2) QCD model against the background of a gauge-field condensate

The thermodynamic potential (free energy) for quarks and gluons in (2+1)-dimensional spacetime is calculated in the one-loop approximation at finite temperatures against the background of a constant uniform color magnetic field H and a constant uniform A ₀ condensate. The problem of interpreting the tachyon mode in the gluon energy spectrum is discussed. The question of whether the free energy may develop a minimum at nonzero values of H and A ₀ is analyzed.