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We present experimental data illustrating how heat load affects the performance of a cryogenically cooled monochromator under intense X-ray Free-Electron Laser pulses. The measurements are in good agreement with a depth-uniform model of X-ray dynamical diffraction taking beam absorption and heat deformation of the crystals into account., Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Optics Express

The Yakutsk Extensive Air Shower Array has been continuously operating for more than 50 years (since 1970) and up until recently it has been one of world's largest ground-based instruments aimed at studying the properties of cosmic rays in the ultra-high energy domain. In this report we discuss results recently obtained at the array - on cosmic rays energy spectrum, mass composition and directional anisotropy - and how they fit into the world data. Special attention is paid to the measurements of muonic component of extensive air showers. Theoretical results of particle acceleration at shocks are also briefly reviewed. Future scientific and engineering plans on the array modernization are discussed., Comment: 24 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Physics of Atomic Nuclei. For color figures see ISCRA-2021 contribution: https://indico.nevod.mephi.ru/event/6/contributions/161/

The progress and the chronology in understanding the influence of electron correlations on the electronic structure of atoms and the dynamics of atomic processes are reviewed focusing on benchmark rare-gas atoms. The contributions and the chronological development of Photon-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (PIFS), measuring {} dispersed-fluorescence emission cross sections upon excitation by single photons provided by monochromatized synchrotron radiation is described. Selected experimental results obtained by complementary techniques are also discussed for comparison. The basic suites of computer programs used for the investigation of the many-electron effects in atoms and the obtained results are analyzed. Special attention is paid to the Configuration Interaction Pauli-Fock approximation with Core Polarization (CIPFCP) method used to interpret the PIFS data., Comment: 88 pages, 54 figures, 344 bibliography items

The absolute generalized cross sections and angular distribution parameters of photoelectrons for the two-photon above threshold $3p$-ionization of Ar were calculated in the exciting photon energy range from 15.76 to 36 eV. The correlation function technique developed earlier was extended for the case when an intermediate-state function is of a continuum-type. We show that two-photon ionization of Ar near the $3p^{4}$ threshold to a large extent is determined by the $(3p\dashrightarrow\varepsilon d)^{2}$ two-photon absorption via the giant resonance. This many-electron correlation causes (i) an increase of the photoionization cross sections by more than a factor of 3; (ii) the appearance of resonances in the exciting-photon energy range of the doubly-excited states. The predictions are supported by a good agreement between length and velocity results obtained after taking into account of the higher-order perturbation theory corrections., Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 26 bibliography

A detailed theoretical analysis of the 1s photoionization of neon is presented. It is found that the most significant many-electron correlation in computing photoionization of inner shells is the rearrangement of the outer shells caused by the inner vacancy. Further noticeable effects are: (i) the polarization of the ion core by the outgoing photoelectron and (ii) the coherent effect of double excitation/ionization. The core polarization increases the photoionization cross section by about 10% at the 1s threshold, and the coherent excitation results in further increases by about 5%. Incoherent excitation of the satellite channel leads to an additional 10% increase in the photoabsorption cross section in the double-ionization threshold region., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, 22 bibliography

Harmonic lasing provides an opportunity to extend the photon energy range of existing and planned X-ray FEL user facilities. Contrary to nonlinear harmonic generation, harmonic lasing can generate a much more intense, stable, and narrow-band FEL beam. Another interesting application is Harmonic Lasing Self-Seeding (HLSS) that allows to improve the longitudinal coherence and spectral power of a Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) FEL. This concept was tested at FLASH in the range of 4.5 - 15 nm and at PAL XFEL at 1 nm. In this paper we present recent results from the European XFEL where we successfully demonstrated harmonic lasing at 5.9 Angstrom and 2.8 Angstrom. In the latter case we obtained both 3rd and 5th harmonic lasing and, for the first time, operated a harmonic lasing cascade (5th-3rd-1st harmonics of the undulator). These results pave the way for reaching very high photon energies, up to 100 keV., Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1612.03635

We verify a recently proposed method for obtaining a $\beta$-function of ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories regularized by higher derivatives by an explicit calculation. According to this method, a $\beta$-function can be found by calculating specially modified vacuum supergraphs instead of a much larger number of the two-point superdiagrams. The result is produced in the form of a certain integral of double total derivatives with respect to the loop momenta. Here we compare the results obtained for the three-loop $\beta$-function of ${\cal N}=1$ SQED in the general $\xi$-gauge with the help of this method and with the help of the standard calculation. Their coincidence confirms the correctness of the new method and the general argumentation used for its derivation. Also we verify that in the considered approximation the NSVZ relation is valid for the renormalization group functions defined in terms of the bare coupling constant and for the ones defined in terms of the renormalized coupling constant in the HD+MSL scheme, both its sides being gauge-independent., Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures; title changed, minor corrections; the final version to appear in Nuclear Physics B

High hardness and toughness are generally considered mutually exclusive properties for single-crystal ceramics. Combining experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) atomistic simulations at room temperature, we demonstrate that both the hardness and toughness of single-crystal NaCl-structure VNx/MgO(001) thin films are simultaneously enhanced through the incorporation of anion vacancies. Nanoindentation results show that VN0.8, here considered as representative understoichiometric VNx system, is ~20% harder, as well as more resistant to fracture than stoichiometric VN samples. AIMD modeling of VN and VN0.8 supercells subjected to [001] and [110] elongation reveal that the tensile strengths of the two materials are similar. Nevertheless, while the stoichiometric VN phase systematically cleaves in a brittle manner at tensile yield points, the understoichiometric compound activates transformation-toughening mechanisms that dissipate accumulated stresses. AIMD simulations also show that VN0.8 exhibits an initially greater resistance to both {110}<1-10> and {111}<1-10> shear deformation than VN. However, for progressively increasing shear strains, the VN0.8 mechanical behavior gradually evolves from harder to more ductile than VN. The transition is mediated by anion vacancies, which facilitate {110}<1-10> and {111}<1-10> lattice slip by reducing activation shear stresses by as much as 35%. Electronic-structure analyses show that the two-regime hard/tough mechanical response of VN0.8 primarily stems from its intrinsic ability to transfer d electrons between 2nd-neighbor and 4th-neighbor (i.e., across vacancy sites) V-V metallic states. Our work offers a route for electronic-structure design of hard materials in which a plastic mechanical response is triggered with loading.

We carry out density-functional ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of Ti adatom (Tiad) migration on, and descent from, TiN <100>-faceted epitaxial islands on TiN(001) at temperatures T ranging from 1200 to 2400 K. Adatom-descent energy-barriers determined via ab initio nudged-elastic-band calculations at 0 Kelvin suggest that Ti interlayer transport on TiN(001) occurs essentially exclusively via direct hopping onto a lower layer. However, AIMD simulations reveal comparable rates for Tiad descent via direct-hopping vs. push-out/exchange with a Ti island edge atom for T >= 1500 K. We demonstrate that the effect is due to surface vibrations, which yield considerably lower activation energies at finite temperatures by significantly modifying the adatom push/out-exchange reaction pathway., Comment: 13 Figures

The Yakutsk Array is designed to study cosmic rays at energy 10$^{15}$-10$^{20}$ eV. It consists several independent arrays that register charged particles, muons with energy E$\geq$1 GeV, Cherenkov light and radio emission. The paper presents a technical description of the Yakutsk Radio Array and some preliminary results obtained from measurements of radio emission at 30-35 MHz frequency induced by air shower particles with energy $\varepsilon$ $\geq$ 1$\cdot$10$^{17}$ eV. The data obtained at the Yakutsk array in 1986-1989 (first set of measurements) and 2009-2014 (new set of measurements). Based on the obtained results we determined: Lateral distribution function (LDF) of air showers radio emission with energy $\geq$ 10$^{17}$ eV. Radio emission amplitude empirical connection with air shower energy. Determination of depth of maximum by the ratio of amplitude at different distances from the shower axis. For the first time, at the Yakutsk array, radio emission from the air shower with energy $>$ 10$^{19}$ eV was registered including the shower with the highest energy ever registered at the Yakutsk array with energy $\sim$2 $\cdot$ 10$^{20}$ eV., Comment: 11 pages, 20 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in NIM A. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1609.03273

We present results on the deposition and characterization of defected graphene by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The source of carbon/carbon-containing radicals is thermally decomposed acetone (C2H6CO) in Ar main gas flow. The deposition takes place on (001) Si substrates at about 1150-11600C. We established by Raman spectroscopy the presence of single- to few- layered defected graphene deposited on two types of interlayers that possess different surface morphology and consisted of mixed sp2 and sp3 hybridized carbon. The study of interlayers by XPS, XRD, GIXRD and SEM identifies different phase composition: i) a diamond-like carbon dominated film consisting some residual SiC, SiO2 etc.; ii) a sp2- dominated film consisting small quantities of C60/C70 fullerenes and residual Si-O-, C=O etc. species. The polarized Raman studies confirm the presence of many single-layered defected graphene areas that are larger than few microns in size on the predominantly amorphous carbon interlayers.

Long-term series of measurement of spectral transparency of the atmosphere (\lambda = 430 nm) and atmospheric optical thickness (AOT) measured by multimode photometer CE 318 in the region of Yakutsk array are analyzed. Correlation of AOT with intensity of air showers with small energies 10^{15} - 10^{16} eV is found. The variability of aerosol composition of the atmosphere during the registration period of the Cherenkov light should be taken into account since it may affect the quality of determining characteristics of air showers., Comment: XXV ECRS 2016 Proceedings - eConf C16-09-04.3

This paper presents data on the optical thickness AOT in the context of long-term observations, including in times of large-scale forest fires in Yakutia. Sudden changes in such features as the AOT point directly to the impact of fires on aerosol structure of the atmosphere during the summer., Comment: Corrected the title, corrected abstract, corrected typos in the paper

Neutrino air showers can be formed in any part of the atmosphere passing a long was in the matter due to its physical properties. In general, air showers produced by neutrinos are highly inclined and formed near the ground level, i.e. young showers. Therefore, one should expect a large number of peaks in the signal of such air showers [1, 2, 3]. The goal of our work is to search for air shower candidates produced by neutrino. For this purposes, we analyzed large amount of data from scintillation detectors with different area and energy thresholds [1, 2]. Preliminary analysis of Yakutsk array data indicated the absence of air shower produced by neutrino, but it does not mean that such air showers does not exist. It is going to need a further analysis of highly inclined showers. In order to do that improved methodology for recording and processing of air showers required., Comment: XXV ECRS 2016 Proceedings - eConf C16-09-04.3; corrected typos

In this paper, we present results obtained from the measurements of radio emission at frequency of 32 MHz with energy more than 10$^{19}$ eV. Generalized formula that describe lateral distribution and depends on main characteristic of the air showers: energy E$_0$ and depth of maximum X$_{max}$ was derived. The formula has a good agreement with data at average and large distances from shower axis. Employing the ratio of radio emission amplitude at distances 175 m and 725 m we determined the depth of maximum X$_{max}$ for air shower with energy 3.7$\cdot$10$^{19}$ eV, which in our case is equal to X$_{max}$ = 769$\pm$34g$\cdot$cm$^{-2}$., Comment: XXV ECRS 2016 Proceedings - eConf C16-09-04.3

The paper presents short technical description of Yakutsk Radio Array and some preliminary results obtained from measurements of radio emission at 32 MHz frequency induced by air shower particles with energy {\epsilon}$\geq$1$\cdot$10$^{19}$ eV. The data obtained at Yakutsk array in 1987-1989 (first set of measurements) and 2009-2014 (new set of measurements). For the first time, at Yakutsk array radio emission from air shower with energy > 10$^{19}$ eV was registered including the shower with highest energy ever registered at Yakutsk array with energy $\sim$2$\cdot$10$^{20}$ eV., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures

The paper describes the techniques and method of registration of air shower radio emission at the Yakutsk array of extensive air showers at a frequency of 32 MHz. At this stage, emission registration involves two set of antennas, the distance between them is 500m. One set involves 8 antennas, second - 4 antennas. The antennas are perpendicularly crossed dipoles with radiation pattern North South,West East and raised 1.5 m above the ground. Each set of antennas connected to an industrial PC. The registration requires one of two triggers. First trigger are generated by scintillation detectors of Yakutsk array. Scintillation detectors cover area of 12 km^2 and registers air showers with energy more than 10^17 eV. The second trigger is generated by Small Cherenkov Array that covers area of 1 km^2 and registers air showers with energy 10^15 - 5*10^17 eV. Small Cherenkov Array is part of Yakutsk array and involve Cherenkov detectors located at a distance of 50, 100, 250 m. For further selection we are using an additional criterion the radio pulse must be localized in the area corresponding to the delay time on first and second triggers. In addition, descriptions of the algorithm and the flowcharts of the program for the air shower selection and further analysis are given. This method registers EAS radio emission with energy 10^16 - 10^19 eV. With the absolute calibration, the amplitudes of all antennas converted to a single value. Air shower radio emission dependences from zenith angle and shower energy are plotted., Comment: Contributions to the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 2013

We present of measurements of radio emission from EAS at the frequency 32 MHz performed in 2008-2012. Showers were selected by zenith and azimuth directions, sampled by energy. A mean lateral distribution function was fitted to the data each interval. The paper presents unied approximation formula for all three energy intervals of lateral distribution, using connection between equation (1) and (2) coefficients with energy and geomagnetic angle. Here we analyze the connection between the shape of lateral distribution and the depth of the maximum shower development Xmax too., Comment: 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 2013

This paper presents the set of measurements of ultra-high energy air shower radio emission at frequency 32 MHz in period of 2008-2012. The showers are selected by geomagnetic and azimuth angles and then by the energy in three intervals: 3*10^16 3*10^17 eV, 3*10^17 6*10^17 eV and 6*10^17 5*10^18 eV. In each energy interval average lateral distribution function using mathematically averaged data from antennas with different directions are plotted. In the paper, using experimental data the dependence of radio signal averaged amplitude from geomagnetic angle, the shower axis distance and the energy are determined. Depth of maximum of cosmic ray showers Xmax for the given energy range is evaluated. The evaluation is made according QGSJET model calculations and average lateral distribution function shape., Comment: Contributions to the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 2013. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1309.6698

We use metastable NaCl-structure Ti0.5Al0.5N alloys to probe effects of configurational disorder on adatom surface diffusion dynamics which control phase stability and nanostructural evolution during film growth. First-principles calculations were employed to obtain potential energy maps of Ti and Al adsorption on an ordered TiN(001) reference surface and a disordered Ti0.5Al0.5N(001) solid-solution surface. The energetics of adatom migration on these surfaces are determined and compared in order to isolate effects of configurational disorder. The results show that alloy surface disorder dramatically reduces Ti adatom mobilities. Al adatoms, in sharp contrast, experience only small disorder-induced differences in migration dynamics.

In situ low-energy electron microscopy was used to study interlayer mass transport kinetics during annealing of three-dimensional (3D) TiN(111) mounds, consisting of stacked 2D islands, at temperatures T between 1550 and 1700 K. At each T, the islands decay at a constant rate, irrespective of their initial position in the mounds, indicating that mass is not conserved locally. From temperature-dependent island decay rates, we obtain an activation energy of 2.8+/-0.3 eV. This is consistent with the detachment-limited decay of 2D TiN islands on atomically-flat TiN(111) terraces [Phys. Rev. Lett. 89 (2002) 176102], but significantly smaller than the value, 4.5+/-0.2 eV, obtained for bulk-diffusion-limited spiral step growth [Nature 429, 49 (2004)]. We model the process based upon step flow, while accounting for step-step interactions, step permeability, and bulk mass transport. The results show that TiN(111) steps are highly permeable and exhibit strong repulsive temperature-dependent step-step interactions that vary between 0.003 and 0.076 eV-nm. The rate-limiting process controlling TiN(111) mound decay is surface, rather than bulk, diffusion in the detachment-limited regime., Comment: 26 pages, 5 figures

The causes and resulting spatial patterns of Siberian pine mortality in eastern Kuznetzky Alatau Mountains, Siberia were analyzed based on satellite (Landsat, MODIS) and dendrochronology data. Climate variables studied included temperature, precipitation and Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) drought index. Landsat data analysis showed that stand mortality was first detected in the year 2006 at an elevation of 650 m, and extended up to 900 m by the year 2012. Mortality was accompanied by a decrease in MODIS derived vegetation index (EVI).. The area of dead stands and the upper mortality line were correlated with increased drought. The uphill margin of mortality was limited by elevational precipitation gradients. Dead stands (i.e., >75% tree mortality) were located mainly on southern slopes. With respect to slope, mortality was observed within a 7 deg - 20 deg range with greatest mortality occurring on convex terrain. Tree radial incrementmeasurements correlate and were synchronous with SPEI (r sq = 0.37, r(sub s) = 80). Increasing synchrony between tree ring growth and SPEI indicates that drought has reduced the ecological niche of Siberian pine. The results also showed the primary role of drought stress on Siberian pine mortality. A secondary role may be played by bark beetles and root fungi attacks. The observed Siberian pine mortality is part of a broader phenomenon of "dark needle conifers" (DNC, i.e., Siberian pine, fir and spruce) decline and mortality in European Russia, Siberia, and the Russian Far East. All locations of DNC decline coincided with areas of observed drought increase. The results obtained are one of the first observations of drought-induced decline and mortality of DNC at the southern border of boreal forests. Meanwhile if model projections of increased aridity are correct DNC, within the southern part of its range may be replaced by drought-resistant Pinus silvestris and Larix sibirica.

Simple plasma and magnetic field measurements are presented to illustrate the opportunities afforded by using unbalanced magnetrons in a dual-cathode system. The system employs a pair of opposed cathodes, 38 cm x 13 cm, placed 27.5 cm apart, to coat specimens mounted on a rotational substrate holder. Comparisons are drawn between the original 'balanced' magnetron and several unbalanced configurations in terms of field strengths, deposition rates, etching characteristics, and substrate ion current densities for the growth of TiN films. The effects of 'unbalancing' on the nature of the plasma within the 3D geometry of the deposition chamber are elucidated via plasma probe and magnetic field studies performed under a variety of conditions. All the unbalanced configurations examined provided enhanced ion bombardment at the surface of the growing film. The closed-field or opposed magnet geometry resulted in a threefold or greater increase in current density when compared with that obtained using the corresponding mirrored geometry under the same conditions.