Decoherent Excitation of Transverse Free Currents in Dielectric Liquids via Inter-Molecular Interactions

We present a theoretical model for a class of optical scattering experiments in which short-duration, linearly-polarized electromagnetic pulses scatter off dielectric liquids. The pattern of scattering, particularly in the transverse direction, indicates that significant free currents are generated in the direction orthogonal to the polarization of the incident light. Modelling the target as a dense cluster of two-level systems, we show that transverse free currents are produced by short duration, electric-dipole interactions between proximate molecules, and result in scattering patterns similar to those observed in the experiments. Calculations provide a rationale for why these scattering patterns are not observed in the same molecules at lower densities or with lower field intensities. These features make this model a relevant alternative to proposed transverse optical magnetism theories.

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE ISSUE OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN UKRAINE AND APPROACHES FOR ITS RESOLUTION

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) relate to a group of toxicants, which is separated due to an extremely hazardous impact on human health and is regulated by a special international agreement — the Stockholm Convention on POPs. Each Party of the Convention should develop and consistently renew the National Implementation Plan to implement requirements under this Convention. Ukraine developed the National Implementation Plan in 2007, and the experts started works on its renewal in 2020. The article contains results of expert analysis of changes in volumes and forms of accumulation of waste, consisting of containing or contaminated with POPs, in particular, unusable and prohibited plant protection chemicals (PPC). There are outcomes of expert analysis of changes in use of electrical equipment that contained synthetic dielectric liquids based on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Based on analysis, activities are proposed to the National Implementation Plan for development of effective infrastructure for thermal destruction of POP-containing waste. In addition to storage sites of POPs-containing waste, so-called “nintentional production” is an essential source of POPs entering environment. For categories of sources that under the Stockholm Convention can potentially polluted environment with POPs volumes of annual emission into the air, water, and soil for six basic pollutants have been calculated. Modern extensive monitoring system for POPs should be established to clear up a real state with environmental pollution by POPs in the country. Results of such monitoring together with strong regulatory support may motivate enterprises to an introduction of “best available techniques”. Bibl. 7, Tab. 3.

Microwave Discharges in Liquid Hydrocarbons: Physical and Chemical Characterization

Microwave discharges in dielectric liquids are a relatively new area of plasma physics and plasma application. This review cumulates results on microwave discharges in wide classes of liquid hydrocarbons (alkanes, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons). Methods of microwave plasma generation, composition of gas products and characteristics of solid carbonaceous products are described. Physical and chemical characteristics of discharge are analyzed on the basis of plasma diagnostics and 0D, 1D and 2D simulation.