The spatial distribution of sensitivity in the domain of detection of a fiber-optic sensor used for spectrophotometric studies of skin and other biological tissues is studied. The method and results of modeling the propagation of optical radiation in multilayer randomly inhomogeneous media with strong light scattering and absorption are presented. Owing to the small distances between the source and detector (100-800 µ m), the propagation of radiation in the medium under study is modeled by the Monte Carlo method combining the calculation of true paths and the use of statistical weights. For the same reason, we represent the surface and interfaces of layers of skin as rough randomly periodic surfaces corresponding to the actual structure of human skin. The method presented can be recommended as a means for the optimum selection of an arrangement for radiation incoupling and outcoupling.

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We show the existence of a new class of astrophysical objects where the self-gravity of the dust is balanced by the force arising from shielded electric fields on the charged dust. The problem of equilibrium dust clouds is formulated in terms of an equation of hydrostatic force balance together with an equation of state. Because of the dust charge reduction at high dust density, the adiabatic index reduces from two to zero. This gives rise to a mass limit M AS for the maximum dust mass that can be supported against gravitational collapse by these fields. If the total mass M D of the dust in the interstellar cloud exceeds M AS , the dust collapses, while in the case M D < M AS , equilibrium may be achieved. The physics of the mass limit is similar to the Chandrasekhar's mass limit for compact objects, such as white dwarfs and neutron stars.

Multiple scattering of laser radiation in a randomly inhomogeneous turbid medium with a spatially localized flow of particles is studied. The time autocorrelation function of backscattered light is calculated for the case of a laminar flow of scatterers in a cylindrical capillary embedded in the medium. A new method is proposed and tested experimentally for determining the position of the dynamic region and the dominant form and characteristic velocity of the particle motion there.

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A brief review of established methods shows that only with the Berthelot technique is it possible to see a finite volume of liquid in sustained mechanical tension. A short discussion of the practice and theory reveals two uncertainties with the conventional technique : that of the determination of a true filling temperature, and the influence of compliance by the glass on the tension developed. A description is then given of a modified apparatus with which these difficulties do not arise. The tube is formed into a coil which deflects sufficiently to indicate internal pressure or tension, and by monitoring these deflections with a distance meter a record of pressure/ tension against temperature can be made. The course of a typical run is shown from which the excess pressure, filling temperature and limiting tension may all be estimated with much greater precision than befoie. The orders of magnitude of the results obtained are indicated, and a possible influence of non-uniform gaseous supersaturation is suggested.