Table of contents

A semianalytic formation model for the large-scale structure of the Universe (from a few to hundreds of megaparsecs) is discussed. The model is a natural generalization of Zeldovich's 1970 approximation and is mathematically based on the Burgers equation for low or even vanishing viscosity. It offers a natural explanation of the galaxy distribution that is observed in the scale range mentioned above and is reminiscent in its shape of a 3D mosaic or a giant cosmic web. Many predictions of the model have been confirmed by modern observations. New theoretical results related to the Burgers model are discussed together with their applications to cosmology.

A topical and highly promising aspect of the field of spintronics is the physics involved in the flow of a spin-polarized current through magnetic tunnel structures. This review focuses on manganite-based structures, which are appealing for their high Curie temperature, highly spin-polarized conduction electrons, high chemical stability, and well-developed fabrication technology. Particular emphasis is placed on some novel approaches to studying the tunnel structures, including the use of planar geometry and the application of combined external factors (microwave and optical radiation) to investigate spin-polarized transport.

The basic physics behind the interaction of ions with solid-state matter is discussed, with an emphasis on the formation of interaction products between the ions and target atoms. Processes covering modification of high-resistance materials for use in small-sized 3D structure technology are described. Current trends in and problems facing the development of the scanning nuclear microprobe (SNMP) are reviewed. The application of slow positrons to diagnosing materials is examined and the techniques of positron microscopy and microprobing are presented. The potential of near-field microwave microscopy for diagnosing superconducting ceramics and of microwave microscopy for nanotechnology applications are assessed. The examples given include the use of micro- and nanoprobes to analyze nanoobjects (such as green algae cells with 3D-distributed microelements, etc.), to develop the topological aspects of integrated microcircuits in nanoelectronics, and some other applications. The role of iron in pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is highlighted, the latter being the subject of research in neurochemistry.

The scientific session of the Physical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birthday of Academician V V Migulin was held on September 28, 2011 at the conference hall of the P N Lebedev Physical Institute of the RAS.

The following reports were put on the session agenda posted on the website www.gpad.ac.ru of the RAS Physical Sciences Division: (1) Gulyaev Yu V (V A Kotel'nikov Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics, RAS, Moscow) "Radiophysical methods in biomedical research"; (2) Vyatchanin S P (M V Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow) "Parametric oscillatory instability in laser gravitational antennas"; (3) Kuznetsov V D (N V Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radiowave Propagation, RAS, Troitsk, Moscow region) "Solar-terrestrial physics and its applications".

The opening address and articles written on the base of the oral reports 2 and 3 are published below. • Opening address, Yu V Gulyaev Physics-Uspekhi, 2012, Volume 55, Number 3, Pages 301–302 • Parametric oscillatory instability in laser gravitational antennas, S P Vyatchanin Physics-Uspekhi, 2012, Volume 55, Number 3, Pages 302–305 • Solar-terrestrial physics and its applications, V D Kuznetsov Physics-Uspekhi, 2012, Volume 55, Number 3, Pages 305–314

Replies are made to comments in N N Rozanov's letter to the editors "Can even monochromatic radiation ensure ideal invisibility?" (see Usp. Fiz. Nauk181 787 (2011) [Phys. Usp.54 763 (2011)]) concerning our paper "Invisible cloaking of material bodies using the wave flow method" (Usp. Fiz. Nauk180 475 (2010) [Phys. Usp.53 455 (2010)]). Examples are given of spatial configurations that enable the creation of singularity-free cloaking materials. Some emerging cloaking ideas are discussed.