The results of experimental studies are presented and the experience of operating the power supply of a continuous gas laser, which is based on a lithium–polymer storage battery without an intermediate voltage converter, is analyzed. The long-term (more than 4-year) operation of a high-voltage battery power supply as a component of a laser system with an open-circuit voltage of 7.76 kV, a load voltage of 6.1 kV, a load current of up to 250 A, a power higher than 1.5 MVA, and a stored energy of 550 MJ is demonstrated. The response time of the switch for disconnecting the load in the case of breakdowns in the discharge chamber did not exceed 120 μs. The results of measurements of the internal resistance of the batteries and its changes during operation are presented.

Abstract—A wide-aperture low-energy electron accelerator based on a high-voltage glow discharge (HVGD) is considered in comparison with accelerators based on a number of longitudinal filaments. The basic design features and advantages of HVGD-based accelerators are presented. These studies showed that it is possible to obtain high values of the density of the electron beam current extracted from the foil (56 µA/cm2) and rather high values of the beam extraction efficiency (35%) in comparison with the previously attained results. The obtained characteristics are comparable with the parameters of the accelerators based on a number of longitudinal filaments. The ability of the accelerator to operate with HVGD is demonstrated both in continuous and pulse–periodic modes without a change in its design. Various ion–electron optical systems of HVGD accelerators have been studied and the advantages of slit-type systems are shown.

The results of theoretical and experimental investigations of a large-area accelerator with a new type of output window are presented. With this window, it is possible to increase the current density of the extracted electron beam, reduce the operating temperature of the foil, and extend its service life. A two-level support structure with cooling of each level is used for this purpose. The heat load of the foil mounted on the second level of the support structure that carries the main mechanical load is reduced by partial interception of the thermal power due to direct loss of the electron beam, which is released on the first level experiencing no mechanical load. The current loss at the structural elements of the output window is estimated, and the hydraulic characteristics and foil temperature in the output device are calculated. A higher current density of the beam extracted over the foil is attained in comparison with the conventional design of the support structure.

Clusters of atmospheric gases (N2, CO, Ar) of different composition comprising 11 and 13 molecules have been systematically studied by means of MP2(full)/6-311+G** calculations. The effect of a meduim (a nitrogen or carbon monoxide atmosphere) on the properties of the gas molecule dimers has been revealed, and general trends in the formation of large clusters have been determined.

При помощи методов ab initio систематически исследованы димеры атмосферных газов (N2, CO, Ar) различного состава. Выявлены закономерности формирования кластеров, которые можно использовать для изучения кластеров большего размера. Показано, что метод расчета MP2(full)/6-311 + G** является хорошим базовым методом для исследования полимолекулярных комплексов атмосферных газов. Рассмотрено влияние учета суперпозиционной коррекции на согласие экспериментальных и теоретических данных.

Two-dimensional spatial distributions of the electric field and current density in a non-self-sustained discharge controlled by a fast electron beam were calculated in the quasineutral plasma approximation. The calculations were carried out for a gas-discharge chamber with an antistreamer electrode grid placed in parallel to the output window of the ionizer. The voltage drop near the grid surface that appears due to the inhomogeneity of the spatial distribution of the current density was calculated. The fraction of the discharge current that passes the grid and flows onto the foil separating the vacuum volume of the ionizer from the gas-discharge chamber was estimated. The dependence of the calculated values on the geometric parameters of the electrode grid and its position with respect to the output of the ionizer was analyzed.

The design features of the electron accelerator with a large-area 200-keV beam and results of its investigation are described. The accelerator is based on a set of discrete longitudinal filament cathodes and operates in the continuous mode. The cross section of the beam extracted into the atmosphere is 40 × 50 cm2, and the maximal current density of the extracted electron beam is up to 100 μA/cm2. The nonuniformity of the current density distribution over the electron beam cross section is 10% or less.

A two-dimensional numerical model of the active medium of a fast-flow electron-beam-controlled CO laser, taking the latest achievements of state-to-state vibrational kinetics into account, is developed. The model includes detailed kinetics and spatial description of non-self-sustained discharge in the gas flow. Using this model the basic characteristics of two schemes of a gas-flow CO laser with subsonic and supersonic flow of the gas mixture are compared.

The spatial distribution of the current density of fast electrons and the ionization rate in a gap filled with atmospheric-pressure air under the conditions of a non-self-sustained discharge controlled by a fast electron beam were investigated. The experiments were carried out in a gas-discharge chamber with a grid electrode arranged in parallel to the exit window of the ionization source. Spatial variations in the current density of fast electrons resulting from the grid were measured. The propagation of the electron beam through the discharge system was simulated numerically by the Monte Carlo method in the so-called “effective collision” approximation. The calculated results agree well with the experimental data.

The structure and stability of heteromolecular van der Waals clusters (N2) n CO m ( n = 1–7; m = 1–3) was studied using ab initio MP2(full)/6-311+G* and CCSD(full)/6-311+G* methods. For clusters with (n + m) > 3 the polyhedron structures are the most preferable, whose stability increases with the number of interacting molecules. Incorporation of CO molecules results in weakening of binding in the cluster and lowering the stereochemical rigidity relative to homomolecular systems. Increase of percentage of CO is followed by a decrease of stability of the clusters.

The structures and stabilities of the van der Waals clusters (N2) n (n = 2–8) have been evaluated using ab initio calculations at the MP2(full)/6–311+G* and CCSD(full)/6–311+G* level of theory. At n = 2–4, the formation of planar and three-dimensional structures is possible. At n > 4, only “globular” structures can be formed, whose formation energies increase with the cluster size. As the number of interacting molecules increases, the examined systems exhibit cooperative effects associated with non-additive enhancement of nonbonded intermolecular interactions.

the éeld of gas êow lasers, the head of the Research department of chemical gas dynamics, `Applied Chemistry' Russian Scientiéc Center (St. Petersburg), a doctor of technical sciences, professor, an Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation, a laureate of the prize of the RF Government in science and technology, died on 18 December 2007, after a long illness. All the scientiéc activity of M.A. Rotinyan was connected with the `Applied Chemistry' RSC (former State Institute of Applied Chemistry) at which he has worked since 1961 after graduating from Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, érst as a junior researcher and then as the deputy general director in science. Here, he has developed into a scientist and an organiser. The érst years of the research activity of M.A. Rotinyan were devoted to investigations of cryogenic rocket propellants. He developed and experimentally tested the methods for calculating processes of heat mass exchange in two-phase êows in cryogenic systems for special rocket engines, which became the object of his candidate dissertation. The results of these studies were used in the development of rockets, in particular, the Energiya ëBuran space rocket system. N.A. Rotinyan devoted more than thirty years of his research to the development of laser technologies in our country. Owing to his energy and excellent organising abilities, the cooperation of institutes and enterprises was organised (State Institute of Applied Chemistry, Design Oféce of Electronic Machine Building, P.N. Lebedev Physics Institute, `Luch' Central Design Oféce, Institute of Chemical Physics, etc.), the large experimental base was created, and many investigations devoted to the development of cw HF/DF lasers were performed during a short period of time, which were generalised in the doctoral thesis of M.A. Rotinyan, that he defended in 1988. Because of the speciéc properties of working gas mixtures used in these lasers, it was necessary to solve a number of complicated design, technological, and ecological problems for performing full-scale experimental studies. All these problems have been successfully solved under the leadership of M.A. Rotinyan. This, together with the investigations of êows of viscous chemically nonequilibrium media performed by M.A. Rotinyan with collaborators, resulted in the development of the érst highpower gas êow HF/DF lasers in our country and in the study of the interaction of radiation from these lasers with various materials and objects. M.A. Rotinyan was engaged in the last years in studies in the éled of plasma chemistry. Under his leadership, hightemperature plasma-chemical technologies for synthesis of promising chemical products, the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels and utilisation of industrial waste have been developed. All these technologies have found practical industrial applications, while his works on the thermal protection of hypersonic aircrafts by using the conversion of hydrocarbon fuels are being actively developed at present. M.A. Rotinyan published more than 300 papers, received 25 of author's certiécates and patents. Among his pupils there are two doctors and six candidates of sciences. He led a large organisation work in science, being a member of the commission of the governor of St. Petersburg on the reformation of science and technology sphere, of many scientiéc and expert councils, and actively participated in the work of the Laser association. More than a quarter of century, M.A. Rotinuan was the organiser and ideological inspirer of the Chemical Lasers scientiéc and practical seminar, which was held every two years in Smolyachkovo settlement, Leningrad region. In 1993, M.A. Rotinyan was made a professor. In 1996, he and the author collective were awarded the premium of the RF Government in the éeld of science and technology, and in 2002 he received a title of an Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation. The scope of scientiéc and business interest of M.A. Rotinyan was very broad. He generated ideas and proved personally the possibility of their realisation. During the difécult 1990s, when énancing dropped almost to zero, he managed to preserve a great part of collaborators and the unique experimental base. M.A. Rotinyan was an energetic, not indifferent, friendly, and jolly man with an excellent sense of humour. He had many friends. Mikhail Alexandrovich Rotinyan will always remain in our memories as a prominent scientists and organiser, kind and sympathetic friend.

The CW and HRR facilities developed at the Prospective Research Department of TRINITI and their application for various laser - matter interactions are discussed. The high power lasers are as follows: the CW self - sustained discharge CO2 lasers LT-1 (output power up to 5 kW) and PM-1 (output power up to 85 kW); the e-beam sustained discharge HRR CO2 lasers: with traditional gas mixture composition at atmospheric pressure in the discharge chamber (output power up to 100 kW) and with gas mixture of atmospheric air and 5% CO2 at reduced pressure (output power up to 30 kW); the e-beam sustained discharge cryogenic CO lasers: with a subsonic gas flow CW laser (average power similar to 85 kW) and with supersonic flow of the active mixture quasi-CW laser (specific output energy up to 40 Jg(-1) and efficiency similar to 14%). These laser facilities are used for studies on interaction of laser radiation with different materials, metals, rocks, etc.