Do the precise measurements of the Casimir force agree with the expectations?

An upper limit on the Casimir force is found using the dielectric functions of perfect crystalline materials which depend only on well defined material constants. The force measured with the atomic force microscope is larger than this limit at small separations between bodies and the discrepancy is significant. The simplest modification of the experiment is proposed allowing to make its results more reliable and answer the question if the discrepancy has any relation with the existence of a new force.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, 2 Postscript figure

On the Strength of Spin-Isospin Transitions in A=28 Nuclei

The relations between the strengths of spin-isospin transition operators extracted from direct nuclear reactions, magnetic scattering of electrons and processes of semi-leptonic weak interactions are discussed.Comment: LaTeX, 8 pages, 1Postscript with figur

The magnetocaloric effect in materials with a second order phase transition: Are T C and T peak necessarily coincident?

Using the Arrott–Noakes equation of state it is shown that the Curie point TC and the temperature where the magnetic entropy change is maximum Tpeak coincide only in the mean field approximation, but the Heisenberg model implies that Tpeak TC even for homogeneous materials. The distance between Tpeak and TC increases with applied magnetic field following a power law. In both cases, TC corresponds to a singular point in the temperature dependence of the magnetic entropy change. The field dependence of the magnetic entropy change is exactly the same at the Curie temperature and at the temperature of the peak

Toward An Empirical Theory of Pulsar Emission. VII. On the Spectral Behavior of Conal Beam Radii and Emission Heights

In this paper we return to the old problem of conal component-pair widths and profile dimensions. Observationally, we consider a set of 10 pulsars with prominent conal component pairs, for which well measured profiles exist over the largest frequency range now possible. Apart from some tendency to narrow at high frequency, the conal components exhibit almost constant widths. We use all three profile measures, the component separation as well as the outside half-power and 10% widths, to determine conal beam radii, which are the focus of our subsequent analysis. These radii at different frequencies are well fitted by a relationship introduced by Thorsett (1991), but the resulting parameters are highly correlated. Three different types of behavior are found: one group of stars exhibits a continuous variation of beam radius which can be extrapolated down to the stellar surface along the ``last open field lines''; a second group exhibits beam radii which asymptotically approach a minimum high frequency value that is 3--5 times larger; and a third set shows almost no spectral change in beam radius at all. The first two behaviors are associated with outer-cone component pairs; whereas the constant separation appears to reflect inner-cone emission.Comment: 21 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal, uses aaste

Electronic structure, magnetic and optical properties of intermetallic compounds R2Fe17 (R=Pr,Gd)

In this paper we report comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation of magnetic and electronic properties of the intermetallic compounds Pr2Fe17 and Gd2Fe17. For the first time electronic structure of these two systems was probed by optical measurements in the spectral range of 0.22-15 micrometers. On top of that charge carriers parameters (plasma frequency and relaxation frequency) and optical conductivity s(w) were determined. Self-consistent spin-resolved bandstructure calculations within the conventional LSDA+U method were performed. Theoretical interpetation of the experimental s(w) dispersions indicates transitions between 3d and 4p states of Fe ions to be the biggest ones. Qualitatively the line shape of the theoretical optical conductivity coincides well with our experimental data. Calculated by LSDA+U method magnetic moments per formula unit are found to be in good agreement with observed experimental values of saturation magnetization.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl

Tunneling-assisted impact ionization fronts in semiconductors

We propose a novel type of ionization front in layered semiconductor structures. The propagation is due to the interplay of band-to-band tunneling and impact ionization. Our numerical simulations show that the front can be triggered when an extremely sharp voltage ramp ($\sim 10 {\rm kV/ns}$) is applied in reverse direction to a Si $p^+-n-n^+-$structure that is connected in series with an external load. The triggering occurs after a delay of 0.7 to 0.8 ns. The maximal electrical field at the front edge exceeds $10^6 {\rm V/cm}$. The front velocity $v_f$ is 40 times faster than the saturated drift velocity $v_s$. The front passes through the $n-$base with a thickness of $100 {\mu m}$ within approximately 30 ps, filling it with dense electron-hole plasma. This passage is accompanied by a voltage drop from 8 kV to dozens of volts. In this way a voltage pulse with a ramp up to $500 {\rm kV/ns}$ can be applied to the load. The possibility to form a kilovolt pulse with such a voltage rise rate sets new frontiers in pulse power electronics.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Quality standards for distance learning in higher education: a comparative analysis of Canadian and Russian practices

The aim of the investigation is to perform comparative analysis of the quality assessment and policies of quality assurance in postsecondary education in Canada and Russian Federation. Methods. The theoretical methods involve comparative analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, extrapolation and modelling. Results. Russia and Canada have different policies on quality assurance in the distance learning and are at different stages of implementation of distance learning into postsecondary curricula. The Canadian system of postsecondary education is regulated not by the State but by professional societies, licensing organisations, and experts. Canadian postsecondary institutions have efficient systems of quality assurance, quality standards and accreditation. Blended learning is widely used in Canadian medical schools and is mandatory for continuous professional development. In Russia, the system of quality assurance for distance learning is regulated by the State. At present, Russia has developed policies on distance learning but unified quality standards in this field are absent. Blended learning is used in the medical schools but its implementation has just begun as continuous professional development. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the results of comparative analysis of the policies on quality assurance in distance learning in Russia and Canada are described. Practical significance. This research has showed the needs of the development of the system of quality standards and the policy on quality assurance of distance learning in the Russia postsecondary educationЦель статьи – сравнительный анализ стандартов качества дистанционного образования в высшей школе в Канаде и России. Методы исследования – теоретические: компаративный, анализ и синтез, индукция и дедукция, экстраполяция и моделирование. Результаты. Установлено, что в России и Канаде существуют разные модели оценки качества и экспертизы дистанционного образования, которые находятся на разных этапах внедрения в образовательный процесс дистанционного образования (ДО). В канадской высшей школе нормативное регулирование ДО осуществляется с участием негосударственных структур (независимых экспертов, профессионального сообщества); эффективно функционирует система стандартизации качества в этой области; есть система аккредитации электронных ресурсов; разработаны руководства для пользователей. На территории Канады широкое распространение получила смешанная форма обучения (hybrid method, blended method). Примером тому служит подготовка специалистов в области медицины, где дополнительное профессиональное образование стало невозможным без дистанционных технологий. В отличие от канадской, российская система оценки качества строго иерархизирована и полностью осуществляется государством. Отечественная высшая школа прошла этап создания нормативной базы ДО, определения понятий «цифровой педагогики», но критерии качества дистанционного образования в правовых документах отсутствуют. Общей чертой использования ДО в обеих странах является наличие смешанного обучения, однако в наших вузах дистанционные технологии постдипломного образования только начинают внедряться, а для канадских коллег они уже стали нормой, а зачастую и обязательной составляющей продолжения образования и повышения квалификации (как, например, в медицинской сфере). Научная новизна. Впервые представлены результаты компаративного анализа нормативной базы и практики оценивания результатов обучения в высшей школе с использованием дистанционных технологий в РФ и Канаде. Практическая значимость данного материала заключается в выявлении актуальных потребностей отечественной системы образования по стандартизации качества дистанционного обучения: в российской высшей школе назрела необходимость создания процедуры аттестации качества электронных образовательных ресурсов, и это касается всей системы непрерывного профессионального образовани

New constraints for non-Newtonian gravity in nanometer range from the improved precision measurement of the Casimir force

We obtain constraints on non-Newtonian gravity following from the improved precision measurement of the Casimir force by means of atomic force microscope. The hypothetical force is calculated in experimental configuration (a sphere above a disk both covered by two metallic layers). The strengthenings of constraints up to 4 times comparing the previous experiment and up to 560 times comparing the Casimir force measurements between dielectrics are obtained in the interaction range 5.9 nm$\leq\lambda\leq 115$nm. Recent speculations about the presence of some unexplained attractive force in the considered experiment are shown to be unjustified.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

Ultrasound-assisted explosive welding: some aspects of formation of joints

This paper presents the results of the effect of ultrasound on structure and properties of explosion welded materials. It is shown that the ultrasound-assisted explosive welding can significantly extend the weldability of aluminum-copper pairs.В работе представлены результаты исследования влияния воздействия ультразвука в процессе сварки взрывом на структуру и свойства получаемых соединений. Показано, что сварка взрывом с воздействием ультразвука позволяет существенно расширить область свариваемости пары алюминий-медь.Работа выполнена в рамках базовой части государственного задания № 2015/16 проект 118

Formation of "Lightnings" in a Neutron Star Magnetosphere and the Nature of RRATs

The connection between the radio emission from "lightnings" produced by the absorption of high-energy photons from the cosmic gamma-ray background in a neutron star magnetosphere and radio bursts from rotating radio transients (RRATs) is investigated. The lightning length reaches 1000 km; the lightning radius is 100 m and is comparable to the polar cap radius. If a closed magnetosphere is filled with a dense plasma, then lightnings are efficiently formed only in the region of open magnetic field lines. For the radio emission from a separate lightning to be observed, the polar cap of the neutron star must be directed toward the observer and, at the same time, the lightning must be formed. The maximum burst rate is related to the time of the plasma outflow from the polar cap region. The typical interval between two consecutive bursts is ~100 s. The width of a single radio burst can be determined both by the width of the emission cone formed by the lightning emitting regions at some height above the neutron star surface and by a finite lightning lifetime. The width of the phase distribution for radio bursts from RRATs, along with the integrated pulse width, is determined by the width of the bundle of open magnetic field lines at the formation height of the radio emission. The results obtained are consistent with the currently available data and are indicative of a close connection between RRATs, intermittent pulsars, and extreme nullers.Comment: 24 pages, no figures, references update