Table of contents

Major recent advances in the theoretical study of heterogeneous nucleation on macroscopic wettable centers of different nature are reviewed in the context of the classical scheme which uses the thermodynamics of a new phase nucleation to calculate the key kinetic characteristics of nucleation. The review centers on the kinetics of heterogeneous nucleation under conditions where a metastable state of the initial phase gradually forms — a situation in which the factors supporting the phase transition to the metastable state and then deepening the phase into the metastability region also remain active after the intense phase transition has begun. The formulation and control of the conditions of consistency for applying all the thermodynamic and kinetic elements of the theory are emphasized. The thermodynamics of interfaces are discussed in detail and a careful kinetic analysis is performed for the stage at which the main number of stably growing nuclei of the new phase is formed around wettable nuclei consisting of soluble or insoluble, surface-inactive or surface-active materials. The features common to barrier and barrierless heterogeneous nucleation processes are discussed, which open new possibilities in the experimental study of the phenomenon and offer new practical applications of the theory.

Laboratory shock compression data obtained in Russia since 1948 are reviewed, including those for elements and alloys, organic compounds, minerals, rocks, and liquids as well as the hydrides, carbides, and nitrides of metals.

It is shown that in photosensitive materials light absorption centers and centers of latent and developed photographic images are of a hydrogen-like nature, and the light sensitivity together with the photoelectric current have an Uhrbach-type temperature dependence.

Today in the world literature, as at certain times in the past, are issues actively debated related to the interpretation and, more generally, to the foundations of quantum theory. At the same time these issues do not receive adequate treatment in the Russian-language physical publications. For this reason, Usp. Fiz. Nauk recently published a review by M B Menskii entitled 'Quantum mechanics: new experiments, new applications, new formulations of old problems' (Usp. Fiz. Nauk170 (6) 631 (2000) [Phys. Usp.43 585 (2000)]). The editorial preface to this paper invited the readers to make their contributions to the discussion of the foundations of quantum theory. Some letters have been received and are presented below. Wishing to ensure free expression, we did not subject these letters to peer review, and take no responsibility for their content. We believe that such an approach is more or less justified by the current situation.