Table of contents

The close relation between cosmology and the theory of elementary particles is analyzed in the light of prospects of a unified field theory. The unity of their respective problems and solution methodologies is indicated. The difference between the concepts of 'Metagalaxy' and 'Universe' is emphasized and some possible schemes for estimating the size of the Universe are pointed out.

Various aspects of the neutrino mass problem are discussed in the light of existing model predictions and extensive experimental data. Generation mechanisms are considered and possible gauge-theory neutrino mass hierarchies, in particular the most popular 'flipped see-saw' models, are discussed. Based on the currently available astrophysical data on the integral density of matter in the Universe and on the spectral anisotropy of the relic cosmic radiation, the cosmological implications of a non-zero neutrino mass are described in detail. Results from various mass-measuring methods are presented. Considerable attention is given to heavy neutrino oscillations. Oscillation mechanisms both in vacuum and in matter are considered in detail. Experiments on oscillations at low and high energies and new generation large-flight-base facilities are described. The present state of research into oscillations of solar and atmospheric neutrinos is reviewed.

Current knowledge of the neutrino mass, double β-decay, and neutrino oscillations is reviewed and recent neutrino experiments are discussed in detail. The discovery and basic studies of ν_e, ν_μ, and ν_τ are briefly described in historical perspective. Projected experiments and techniques as well as prospects for the practical use of the neutrino are covered.

The fundamental structural unity of familiar oxide HTSCs and their oxyhalide counterparts, with apical oxygen ions replaced by halogen ions, is demonstrated and discussed. As a consequence of this unity, major physical phenomena are expected to be common for both classes, such as doping effects, concentration-driven insulator–metal transitions, the unusual pair superconductivity, and the temperature dependence anomalies in the critical magnetic field, linear expansion coefficient, and heat capacity jumps. New experimental results are discussed, accounted for by the exciton mechanism of superconductivity with the local nature of excitations taken into account.