Vol 163, No 6 (2023)

The process of Compton scattering by a free electron with subsequent reemission of one or two photons is considered in the assumption of finite interaction time. The corresponding cross sections are obtained in the framework of relativistic quantum electrodynamics using a modified form of fermion propagator with complex transmitted momentum. It is shown that finite time effects can be observable at sufficiently low energies of scattered photons. The proposed method also regularizes arising infrared divergence in the cross section of the double Compton effect. Possible experimental verification of considered theoretical approach is discussed.

Optical frequency combs are a unique tool for fundamental metrology and spectroscopy; they are also used in various applications. High-Q microcavities are promising for generating coherent frequency combs. An approach based on the pulling effect, which is well-known in radiophysics, is proposed. The use of this effect makes it possible to develop a compact, commercially available source of an optical comb and microwave radiation based on a compact distributed-feedback laser diode with a low output power of 6 mW and a microcavity based on magnesium fluoride with a Q factor of 109. Different generation modes of optical frequency combs, corresponding to different numbers of generated solitons at a pump power of 6 mW and a wavelength of 1550 nm, as well as spectrally pure microwave radiation at a frequency of 12.94 GHz, are demonstrated.

The influence of simple and transition metal impurities, as well as interstitial impurities (B, C, and N), on the oxygen adsorption on the Ti5Si3 titanium silicide surface has been studied using the of projector augmented wave method within the electron density functional theory. It has been shown that titanium-substituting impurities belonging to the latter halves of the 3d–5d periods cause most significant changes in the adsorption energy. In addition, simple metals and interstitial impurities reduce the oxygen–surface interaction. By analyzing local electron densities of states, charge density difference distribution, charge transfer, and the overlap population of oxygen bonds to nearest-neighbor atoms, we have revealed special aspects of impurity influence on chemical bonding between the titanium silicide surface and oxygen. Factors responsible for an increase/decrease in the adsorption energy of oxygen on the doped surface are discussed. A correlation between the change in adsorption energy and the electronegativity of impurities has been found.

We have studied phase transitions and thermodynamic properties of the antiferromagnetic Potts model with number of spin states q = 3 on a body-centered cubic lattice by the Monte Carlo method. Investigations have been performed with account for exchange interactions J1 and J2 between the first and second nearest neighbors. The phase transition order has been analyzed using the histogram method. It is found that in this model with J2 = 0, a second-order phase transition is observed. It is concluded that the inclusion of the interaction between the second nearest neighbors changes the type of the phase transition.

The theory of nucleation of ionic salts from aqueous solution is critically analyzed and further developed in two limiting cases of sparingly and highly soluble strong electrolytes. In the case of sparingly soluble colloids with a relatively large screening length (compared to the radius of the critical nucleus), the classical nucleation theory is modified by taking into account the influence of the critical nucleus charge on the nucleation rate, which was disregarded in earlier models. In the opposite limit of highly soluble colloids which are characterized by a relatively small screening length, the influence of the critical nucleus charge on the nucleation rate can be neglected with good accuracy. However, the discrepancy with earlier models, mainly related to the value of the pre-exponential factor, can reach several orders of magnitude.

The dependence of the width of exciton and trion photoluminescence lines in MoSe2 monolayers on the thickness of hexagonal boron nitride encapsulating layers has been investigated. The possibility of variation of the exciton photoluminescence linewidth due to the interaction of excitons with the modes of resonator cavities made up of a silicon substrate and a boron nitride top layer has been checked. This interaction may significantly change the photoluminescence linewidth owing to the Parcell effect. Measurements taken of samples with different thicknesses of the bottom and top boron nitride layers have not revealed any influence of the Parcell effect on the linewidth. It has turned out however that the linewidth narrows by several times with increasing boron nitride bottom layer thickness from 10 to 100 nm and reaches 2 meV at a thickness of 100 nm. Supposedly, such narrowing of the photoluminescence line is associated with a decrease in the density of submicron bubbles, which takes place at longitudinal stress relaxation in the thicker layer of boron nitride.

A nonuniform dusty plasma, micrometer-size particles or microdroplets of which are located in a dense gas or in atmospheric air, is excited by an energy pulse leading to the weak ionization of the gas. As a result, the particles charge through the attachment of gaseous ions to them. The stability of dusty plasma is determined by the low mobility of charged microparticles. The conditions under which the separation of negative and positive charges occurs in a dusty plasma with the creation the electric field are considered. The criteria are presented for the generation of atmospheric electricity in a dense cloud as a result of the gravitational falling of charged water microdroplets in the atmosphere, the weak ionization of which occurs under the action of cosmic rays. It is shown that this is possible only under a nonuniform space distribution of water microdroplets in the cloud. The peculiarities of a dusty plasma are considered. This plasma exists in Saturn’s rings and in the flow of coal combustion products, as well as in the dusty atmosphere of a coal mine.