Table of contents

The basic features of martensitic transformations are reviewed using the fcc-bcc (bct) transformation in iron alloys as an example. Supersonic crystal growth is believed to be due to a master wave process initiated by an excited (oscillatory) state that arises in the elastic field of a dislocation. Topics discussed include the mechanism by which nonequilibrium electrons generate (amplify) master waves; the optimum range of parameters for wave generation; the dependence of the transformation onset temperature on the polycrystal size; and the formation of transformation twins due to the coordinated action of relatively short and relatively long wavelength waves. Future research prospects are briefly discussed.

The temperature (internal energy) of clusters and nanoparticles is an important physical parameter which affects many of their properties and the character of processes they are involved in. At the same time, determining the temperature of free clusters and nanoparticles in molecular beams is a rather complicated problem because the temperature of small particles depends on their size. In this paper, recently developed kinetic methods for measuring the temperature of clusters and nanoparticles in molecular beams are reviewed. The definition of temperature in the present context is given, and how the temperature affects the properties of and the processes involving the particles is discussed. The temperature behavior of clusters and nanoparticles near a phase transition point is analyzed. Early methods for measuring the temperature of large clusters are briefly described. It is shown that, compared to other methods, new kinetic methods are more universal and applicable for determining the temperature of clusters and nanoparticles of practically any size and composition. The future development and applications of these methods are outlined.

The incorporation of a relativistic momentum of a nonelectromagnetic nature into macroscopic problems of electrodynamics obviates the lack of correspondence between the electromagnetic mass and the electromagnetic momentum of macroscopic bodies, allowing, in particular, the resolution of the well-known ' paradox.'

The role of quantum effects in the theory of Langmuir waves in a collisionless plasma is shown to be important for flows of quantum particles resonantly interacting with plasma oscillations and for plasma electromagnetic waves undergoing resonant scattering.

Processes of mechanical interaction between systems containing negative-mass bodies are considered, showing that the laws of physics lead to no inconsistencies when applied to such systems.

A scientific session of the Physical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) took place on 6 October 2010 in the Conference Hall of the Lebedev Physical Institute, RAS (FIAN) on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of founding of the Russian Federal Nuclear Center — All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC–VNIIEF). The agenda of the session announced on the website www.gpad.ac.ru of the RAS Physical Sciences Division listed the following reports: (1) Ilkaev R I (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region). Opening remarks "On the fundamental physics research programs at RFNC–VNIIEF"; (2) Mikhailov A L (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "Hydrodynamic instabilities in various media"; (3) Trunin R F (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "Study of extreme states of metals using shock waves"; (4) Ivanovskii A V (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "Explosive magnetic energy generators and their application in research"; (5) Podurets A M (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "X-ray studies of the structure of matter in shock waves"; (6) Garanin S G (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "High-power lasers in studies of the physics of hot, dense plasma and thermonuclear fusion"; (7) Selemir V D (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "Physics research in ultrahigh magnetic fields"; (8) Mkhitar'yan L S (RFNC–VNIIEF, Sarov, Nizhny Novgorod region) "Gasdynamic thermonuclear fusion." Articles based on reports 1–7 are published below. An extended version of report 3 written as a review paper will be published in a later issue of Physics–Uspekhi. • Fundamental physics research at the All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics, R I Ilkaev Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 387–392 • Hydrodynamic instabilities, A L Mikhailov, N V Nevmerzhitskii, V A Raevskii Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 392–397 • Extreme states of metals: investigation using shock wave techniques, R F Trunin Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 397–403 • Explosive magnetic generators and their application in scientific experiments, B E Grinevich, V A Demidov, A V Ivanovsky, V D Selemir Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 403–408 • Pulsed X-ray diffraction structure study of shocked materials, A M Podurets Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 408–414 • High-power lasers and their applications in high-energy-density physics studies, S G Garanin Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 415–421 • Research in ultrahigh magnetic field physics, G V Boriskov, A I Bykov, M I Dolotenko, N I Egorov, Yu B Kudasov, V V Platonov, V D Selemir, O M Tatsenko Physics-Uspekhi, 2011, Volume 54, Number 4, Pages 421–427

It is argued that a discussion of two paradoxes in the commented paper is at odds with some points of probability theory and well-known optimization theorems.

In his comment [Usp. Fiz. Nauk181 449 (2011) (Phys. Usp.54 429 (2011))] on my paper [Usp. Fiz. Nauk180 337 (2010) (Phys. Usp.53 327 (2010))] A V Melkikh raises the question of the initial conditions for the appearance of life on our planet. He suggests that the origin of life is a purposeful process. I believe that life is due to a memorized random selection. It is what is taken as the initial postulate which determines the understanding of how life emerged and evolved on our planet.