The interaction of host molecules with water molecules is of primary importance in astrophysical and atmospheric studies. Water-binding interactions continue to attract a broad interest in various fields, especially those related to the formation of assembly structures. Using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method and a two-beam interferometer with a wavelength of 406 nm, the refractive indices of thin films of a water and nitrogen (argon) mixture were calculated in the range from 15 to 35 K. The results of temperature transformations of the obtained films from a two-beam interferometer, and thermal desorption characteristics from the temperature of condensation to the temperature of evaporation of water (15–180 K), are presented. The relationship between the signal of the interferometer, the refractive index, and the film thickness during glass transition is demonstrated.

In regions with a continental climate, refrigerators with air-cooled condensers operate at high condensation pressures during the summer season which reduces their efficiency and accelerates the wear of compressors. To reduce condensation pressure, it was proposed to use radiative cooling which is a way of heat removal through the planet's atmosphere to outer space in a form of infrared radiation. A refrigerating machine with an assembly of condensation heat removal including air and liquid cooling condensers connected in series has been developed. To reduce the condensation temperature, a pre-cooled heat-transfer agent is fed to the liquid cooling condenser during the day hours at high atmospheric temperatures. At night, the heat-transfer agent is cooled by radiative cooling. An experimental study of the operation of a 600 W refrigerating machine including a sealed piston compressor was conducted. R134a refrigerant was used. Supply of pre-cooled heat-transfer agent at +33.1 °С has provided a reduction of condensation temperature from +47.0 to +39.1 °С. The study was conducted at an atmospheric air temperature of +38.0 °С. The degree of pressure growth was decreased by 30 %. The refrigeration coefficient was increased by 11 %. In comparison with the conventional scheme with an air-cooled condenser, energy consumption by the system did not change in the daytime. The offered scheme of condensation heat removal reduces the pressure of condensation and provides stability for refrigerating machine operation. It can be used in stationary refrigerating machines at high daytime temperatures.

Methanol plays an important role in studying the structure and dynamics of hydrogen bonds in alcohols and other physiologically important compounds in the condensed state. The physical vapor deposition method and two-beam interferometry make it possible to study the structure of polyatomic molecules, the nature and character of intermolecular interactions, and the internal structure of various compounds. Thus, it becomes possible to analyze changes in the internal structure of substances near the points of their phase transitions and glass transitions at ultralow temperatures. In this work, we have studied the effect of nitrogen and nitrous oxide on the dependence of refractive indices of methanol on temperature and on structural-phase transformations upon heating from 16 to 160 K.