Flat nonprofiled surface of photoalignment AtA-2 azo-dye layer possesses simultaneously low molecular orientation anisotropy and strong azimuthal anchoring energy. We explain how flat surface of alignment layer orients nematic liquid crystal and show the existence of the new photoalignment mechanism based on photo-induced hole dipole moments in the azo-dye layer. The dependence of anchoring energy coefficient on the square of dipole moments of the alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer is formulated, grounding the idea of chemical modification of AtA-2 azo-dye with molecular dipole moment $16D to obtain novel high anchoring photoalignment material. The new AtA-0042 azo-dye with molecular dipole moment $27.5D is synthesized and experimentally verified. Strong azimuthal anchoring energy over >1.4 Â 10 À4 J/m 2 is obtained for AtA-0042 photoalignment material layer with $40 mJ/cm 2 exposure dose.

The dependence of the helical pitch of a cholesteric liquid crystal based on a composite photosensitive chiral dopant (cChD) on the intensity of light irradiation was studied. The transmission spectra and the selective reflection spectra of cholesteric liquid crystal cells were measured. The concentration of the cChD additive is calculated, so that the peak of selective reflection and its rearrangement occurs in the visible range of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum (380-780 nm). The possibility of photo-control by shifting the peak of the selective reflection of the cChD additive was studied, when exposed to LEDs with wavelengths of 365 nm and 450 nm, while reducing or increasing the intensity, a change in the spiral pitch was observed. Depending on the light intensity, part of the molecules of the chiral additive containing the azo group underwent isomerization, i.e. molecules in the trans-form passed to the cis-form, which led to a spectral shift of the selective reflection peak. If a small intensity of the 365 nm LED was applied, then some of the molecules were forced to transition from the trans- to the cis-form, and then, when illuminated with a 450 nm LED, from the cisto the trans-form. After reversible rearrangement, the properties of cholesteric liquid crystal changes due to interaction with light, because under the influence of light, the equilibrium ratio of the trans- and cis-isomers of the molecules of the substance changed, which macroscopically changed the torsion force of the chiral additive. Using two LEDs of 365 nm and 450 nm with different emission spectra, a reversible control of the cChD selective reflection peak in the visible range was obtained. The maximum displacement occurred at approximately 145 nm.

DANSS is a one cubic meter plastic scintillator detector with a primary goal of sterile neutrino searches at a commercial nuclear reactor. Due to its highly advantageous location, fine segmentation and ability to change the distance to the neutrino production origin, DANSS is ahead of many similar experiments around the world in terms of the counting rate, signal to background ratio and sterile neutrino exclusion regions. Yet a moderate energy resolution of the detector prevents further progress in the physics program. The main challenge of the planned upgrade is to achieve an energy resolution of 12% at 1 MeV. The new design of the main sensitive element — the plastic scintillation strip — is the most important step forward. The strip prototypes were manufactured and tested at the pion beam of the PNPI synchrocyclotron. More than twice higher light output together with fairly flat detector response uniformity, longitudinal timing information and other optimizations will help to reach the upgrade goal. This paper discusses the drawbacks of the current strip version, outlines the new features of the proposed upgrade, describes the beam test procedure and presents the test results reflecting the advantages of the new strip design in comparison with the current version.

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The relevance of the chosen topic is due to the fact that currently writing disorders are one of the most common speech pathologies in children, especially in children with mental retardation. The leading activity in primary school age in children with mental retardation is play, so interactive play can become a leading method in the prevention of dysgraphy. Prevention of dysgraphy is an important link for determining the content of speech therapy work to prepare children of this category to learn to read and write.