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We study the manifestation of the Nernst effect in the Corbino disk subjected to the normal external magnetic field and to the radial temperature gradient. The Corbino geometry offers a precious opportunity for the direct measurement of the magnetization currents that are masked by kinetic contributions to the Nernst current in the conventional geometry. The magnetization currents, also referred to as the edge currents, are independent on the conductivity of the sample which is why they can be conveniently described within the thermodynamic approach. They can be related to the Landau thermodynamic potential for an infinite system. We demonstrate that the observable manifestation of this, purely thermodynamic, Nernst effect consists in the strong oscillations of the magnetic field measured in the center of the disk as a function of the external field. The oscillations depend on the temperature difference at the edges of the disk. Dirac fermions and 2D electrons with a parabolic spectrum are characterized by oscillations of different phase and frequency. We predict qualitatively different power dependencies of the magnitude of the Nernst signal on the chemical potential for normal and Dirac carriers.

Considered the issues of interaction between man and nature. Noted that this interaction is fundamental in the existence of modern civilization. The question of possible impact on nature and society with the aim of preserving the existence of human civilization. It is shown that the study of this issue goes towards the crea-tion of models of interaction between nature and man. Determining when building models is information about the interaction of man and nature. Considered information theory from the viewpoint of interaction between nature and man. Noted that currently information theory developed mainly as a mathematical theory. The issues of interaction of man and nature, the availability and existence of information in the material sys-tem is not studied. Indicates the link information with the energy terms control large flows of energy. For con-sideration of the interaction of man and nature proposed to use the theory of degradation. Graphs are pre-sented of the information in the history of human development. Reviewed charts of population growth. As a prediction it is proposed to use the simplest based on the theory of degradation. Consideration of the behav-ior of these dependencies led to the conclusion about the existence of communication energy and information as a feature of the degradation of energy. It justifies the existence of border life ( including humanity) at the point with maximum information. Shows the relationship of energy and time using potential energy.

In this short review we pass through the milestones in the studies of the electronic topological transitions (ETT) and focus on some recent applications of the ideas worked out in their classical theory. These are: two-dimensional electron systems, de Haas-van Alphen effect, classification of ETT in multidimensional systems, superconductivity in systems close to ETT, thermoelectricity in heavy-fermion systems, where the cascades of topological changes of Fermi surface (FS) are generated by magnetic field. The history of studies of ETT is inextricably linked with Kharkov school of condensed matter physics, with such names as I.M. Lifshitz, V.G.Bar'yakhtar and many other. Among them is Moisey Isaakovich Kaganov, who contributed much in studies of the role of geometry and topology of FS in physical properties of the metals. Two of the authors (A.V. and Y.G.) had a honor and pleasure to work with "Musik", as all friends called Kaganov; all of us have been learning the niceties of science from his books. "The Fermi surface is the stage on which the drama of the life of the electron is played out" wrote Kaganov and Lifshitz. We devote this work to their memory., 13 pages, 9 figures, any comments are welcome

Exploiting the theory of solitons in a nonlinear elastic medium we predict a novel phenomenon called a phononic tsunami, which is characterized by the dramatic increase of the local amplitude of phonon modes. To elucidate the possible experimental detection of this phenomenon we propose to use a wedge-shaped sample in which a sharp edge serves for the emulation of the shoaling effect and such a local enhancement can be observed. Together with eigenfrequencies of transverse and longitudinal phonon modes of a system we find the characteristic dispersion relations that can be considered as a hallmark of a phononic tsunami. We justify our predictions by means of analytical calculations and numerical simulations showing a possible realization of this nonlinear effect in such a geometry. Our results provide the framework for the implementation of new kind experiments aimed at realizing and investigating a phononic tsunami phenomenon in relevant materials., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures

The ideal reversible thermodynamic cycle visualization of the Nernst effect in Laughlin geometry, excluding the kinetic contribution is proposed. The Ettingshausen effect is also treated in the fashion using the reverse cycle. The corresponding values of the off-diagonal thermoelectric coefficients are expressed through the ratio of the entropy budget per magnetic flux. Our approach enlightens the profound thermodynamic origin of the relation between the Nernst effect and magnetization currents., 7 pages, 2 figures; final version published in PRR

After a brief presentation of the general scenario to which the note is connected, the equations involved in some processes related to gastronomy and cuisine activity are derived, only by resorting to dimensional analysis. It is shown how the meat cooking time, or that one for spaghetti preparation can be quantitatively calculated on the basis of the heat conduction or thermal diffusion equations. The processes involved in baking of a good pizza (particularly in a wood oven!) or brewing a good coffee are addressed on the basis of scientific approaches.

We perform a systematic {\it ab initio} study of the work function and its uniform strain dependence for graphene and silicene for both tensile and compressive strains. The Poisson ratios associated with armchair and zigzag strains are also computed. Based on these results, we obtain the deformation potential, crucial for straintronics, as a function of the applied strain. Further, we propose a particular experimental setup with a special strain configuration that generates only the electric field, while the pseudomagnetic field is absent. Then, applying a real magnetic field, one should be able to realize experimentally the spectacular phenomenon of the collapse of Landau levels in graphene or related two-dimensional materials., 9 pages, 7 figures; final version published in PRB

We extend the thermodynamic approach for the description of the thermal Hall effect in the vicinity of a superconducting phase transition, in the fluctuation dominated regime. We show that the Hall heat conductivity is proportional to the product of temperature derivatives of the chemical potential and of the magnetization of the system. We argue that the latter derivative shows the strong singularity in the vicinity of the phase transition, while the former does not contain the characteristic for fermionic systems smallness (T /EF ), what additionally increases the effect. We derive the analytical formula predicting the temperature dependence of the thermal Hall conductivity in the vicinity of the critical temperature for different magnetic fields. Moreover, we study the phenomenon in the regime of quantum fluctuations, in the vicinity of the second critical field and at very low temperatures. We demonstrate how it fades away in a full agreement with the third law of thermodynamics. The developed approach qualitatively explains the recently observed giant thermal Hall effect in cuprates [1]., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

International audience; The ionic liquid-based thermo-electrochemical cells receive increasing attention as an inexpensive alternative to solid-state thermo-electrics for waste heat harvesting applications. Recently, it has been demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in liquid-based thermoelectric materials result in enhancement of the Seebeck effect opening new perspectives to the design of a thermoelectric device with relatively high efficiency and cost effectiveness. Here, the role of an interacting assembly of MNPs in the thermoelectric signal is studied for the first time. Based on a thermodynamic approach, an analytic expression has been derived for the Seebeck coefficient that includes the inter-particle magnetic interactions in the assembly and the nanoparticle’s magnetic characteristics (saturation magnetization, magnetic anisotropy). Mesoscopic scale modelling with the implementation of the Monte Carlo Metropolis algorithm is performed to calculate their contribution to the Seebeck coefficient, for diluted assemblies of γ-Fe2O3 and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles, materials commonly used in ferrofluids. The results demonstrate the increase of the size and temperature range of the Seebeck coefficient with the increase of nanoparticles’ magnetic anisotropy paving the way for the detailed study of the magneto-thermal effects in high-performance thermoelectric materials based on ferrofluids.

We present a complete analysis of the Nernst signal due to superconducting fluctuations in a large variety of superconductors from conventional to unconventional ones. A closed analytical expression of the fluctuation contribution to the Nernst signal is obtained in a large range of temperature and magnetic field. We apply this expression directly to experimental measurements of the Nernst signal in Nb$_x$Si$_{1-x}$ thin films and a URu$_2$Si$_2$ superconductors. Both magnetic field and temperature dependence of the available data are fitted with very good accuracy using only two fitting parameters, the superconducting temperature $T_{\mathrm{c0}}$ and the upper critical field $H_{\mathrm{c2}}$. The obtained values agree very well with experimentally obtained values. We also extract the ghost lines (maximum of the Nernst signal for constant temperature or magnetic field) from the complete expression and also compare it to several experimentally obtained curves. Our approach predicts a linear temperature dependence for the ghost critical field well above $T_{\mathrm{c0}}$. Within the errors of the experimental data, this linearity is indeed observed in many superconductors far from $T_{\mathrm{c0}}$., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 1 table

Explicit analytical expressions for conductivity of a superconducting film above and below critical temperature in an arbitrary electric field are derived in the frameworks of the time dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory. It is confirmed that slightly below critical temperature the differential conductivity of superconducting film can become negative for small enough values of electric field. This fact may cause generation of electromagnetic oscillations if the superconducting film is appropriately coupled of with a resonator. Their maximal frequency is proportional to the value of critical temperature of superconducting transition. The obtained results can stimulate the development of Terahertz generators on the basis of high temperature superconducting films., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures

We study the current-voltage characteristic of narrow superconducting strips in the gapless regime near the critical temperature in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau model. Our focus is on its instabilities occurring at high current biases. The latter are consequences of dynamical states with periodic phase-slip events in space and time. We analyze their structure and derive the value of the reentrance current at the onset of the instability of the normal state. It is expressed in terms of the kinetic coefficient of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation and calculated numerically., 13 pages, 5 figures, includes supplementary information

Is it possible eternal existence, and there will inevitably destruction? The monograph for the first time describes the General theory of degradation. The theory is described in its practical application to multifunctional composite concrete and reinforced concrete structures. As you know, the basis of these structures is concrete. The monograph is composed of two parts. The first part of the monograph deals with various modern approaches to modeling the behavior of concrete. Concrete is considered as the most important industrial building material. A comprehensive analysis of the behavior of concrete as a composite material is performed. Structural, technological, statistical and phenomenological models of its behavior are reviewed and considered. Describes the modern theoretical model of structural concrete, including model structural mechanics and fracture mechanics, theory of similarity and theory of loose bodies. Reviewed various proposals for how to transform the graphs of the behavior of concrete under various conditions. The results of our own experimental studies are presented. The information base of concrete behavior is obtained and described. Examples of the processed results in the database. On the basis of factor, canonical and regression analyses statistical models of concrete behavior are proposed. Structural analysis of concrete as a composite material allowed to develop models of its elastic behavior. The influence of concrete composite structure on its deformation and strength is revealed. The effect of cracks on the relative deformation of concrete is shown. In the second part of the monograph describes the main provisions of the theory of degradation as a General theory of destruction of the object. The relative independence of energy and time in the destruction of objects is revealed. A new characteristic of the object – the energy potential-is proposed. The connection of the theory of degradation with durability of various objects is shown. For concrete, two main forms of constructing a model of its behavior are identified. On the basis of the developed models of concrete behavior, diagrams of standard tests of concrete and transformed diagrams of its behavior in time are constructed. The possibility of using the developed models in relation to other materials and structures: steel, pipe concrete, wood, structures made of polymeric materials.

In the article the analysis of the dimensions of the samples used in the test concrete. Identified an opportunity to reduce of the dimensions of the samples. The tests at the same time the standard and small (25х25х100 mm) of the concrete samples. Small samples were obtained by cutting the standard samples. In the process of conducting research measured the density, strength and deformation of the samples standard and small sizes. The results are shown in tables and graphs. The strength of the small samples was below the strength of the standard samples. Revealed a loss of strength of samples when cutting concrete. Average deformation characteristics of concrete remained. Small samples are recommended for use in the evaluation of the stress-strain state of reinforced concrete structures.

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Physical principles are involved in almost any aspect of cooking. Here we analyze the specific process of baking pizzas, deriving in simple terms the baking times for two different situations: For a brick oven in a pizzeria and a modern metallic oven at home. Our study is based on basic thermodynamic principles relevant to the cooking process and is accessible to undergraduate students. We start with a historical overview of the development and art of pizza baking, illustrate the underlying physics by some simple common examples, and then apply them in detail to the example of baking pizza., 10 pages, 10 figures, 1 table

We propose a characterization tool for studies of the band structure of new materials promising for the observation of topological phase transitions. We show that a specific resonant feature in the entropy per electron dependence on the chemical potential may be considered as a fingerprint of the transition between topological and trivial insulator phases. The entropy per electron in a honeycomb two-dimensional crystal of germanene subjected to the external electric field is obtained from the first principle calculation of the density of electronic states and the Maxwell relation. We demonstrate that, in agreement to the recent prediction of the analytical model, strong spikes in the entropy per particle dependence on the chemical potential appear at low temperatures. They are observed at the values of the applied bias both below and above the critical value that corresponds to the transition between the topological insulator and trivial insulator phases, while the giant resonant feature in the vicinity of zero chemical potential is strongly suppressed at the topological transition point, in the low temperature limit. In a wide energy range, the van Hove singularities in the electronic density of states manifest themselves as zeros in the entropy per particle dependence on the chemical potential., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures; final version published in PRB

It is often claimed that among the strongest evidence for preformed-pair physics in the cuprates are the experimentally observed large values for the diamagnetic susceptibility and Nernst coefficient. These findings are most apparent in the underdoped regime, where a pseudogap is also evident. While the conventional (Gaussian) fluctuation picture has been applied to address these results, this preformed-pair approach omits the crucial effects of a pseudogap. In this paper we remedy this omission by computing the diamagnetic susceptibility and Nernst coefficient in the presence of a normal state gap. We find a large diamagnetic response for a range of temperatures much higher than the transition temperature. In particular, we report semi-quantitative agreement with the measured diamagnetic susceptibility onset temperatures, over the entire range of hole dopings. Notable is the fact that at the lower critical doping of the superconducting dome, where the transition temperature vanishes and the pseudogap onset temperature remains large, the onset temperature for both diamagnetic and transverse thermoelectric transport coefficients tends to zero. Due to the importance attributed to the cuprate diamagnetic susceptibility and Nernst coefficient, this work helps to clarify the extent to which pairing fluctuations are a component of the cuprate pseudogap.

We begin with a brief description of the role of the Nernst-Ettingshausen effect in the studies of the high-temperature superconductors and Dirac materials such as graphene. The theoretical analysis of the NE effect is involved because the standard Kubo formalism has to be modified by the presence of magnetization currents in order to satisfy the third law of thermodynamics. A new generation of the low-buckled Dirac materials is expected to have a strong spin Nernst effect that represents the spintronics analog of the NE effect. These Dirac materials can be considered as made of two independent electron subsystems of the two-component gapped Dirac fermions. For each subsystem the gap breaks a time-reversal symmetry and thus plays a role of an effective magnetic field. We explicitly demonstrate how the correct thermoelectric coefficient emerges both by the explicit calculation of the magnetization and by a formal cancelation in the modified Kubo formula. We conclude by showing that the nontrivial dependences of the spin Nersnt signal on the carrier concentration and electric field applied are expected in silicene and other low-buckled Dirac materials.

We present an overview of our recent results on quantum magnetic oscillations in new functional materials. We begin with the Lifshitz and Kosevich approach for quasi-2D layered materials and obtain general formulas for the oscillatory parts of the grand thermodynamic potential and magnetization. Then we consider the oscillations of the Nernst–Ettingshausen coefficient which consists of thermal and magnetization parts. The difference between normal and Dirac carriers is also discussed. To conclude we consider a model for multilayer grapheme which allows to calculate exactly the Berry phase which remains undetermined in the Lifshitz–Kosevich approach. The magnetic oscillations of the density of states and capacitance for different number of the carbon layers are described.

A series of strong anomalies in the thermoelectric power is observed in the heavy fermion compound YbRh$_2$Si$_2$ under the effect of magnetic field varying in the range from 9.5~T to 13~T. We identify these features with a sequence of topological transformations of the sophisticated Fermi surface of this compound, namely a cascade of Lifshitz topological transitions. In order to undoubtedly attribute these anomalies to the specific topological changes of the Fermi surface, we employ the renormalized band method. Basing on its results we suggest a simplified model consisting of the large peripheral Fermi surface sheet and the number of continuously appearing (disappearing) small "voids" or "necks". We account for the multiple electron scattering processes between various components of the Fermi surface, calculate the corresponding scattering times, and, finally, find the magnetic field dependence of the Seebeck coefficient. The obtained analytical expression reproduces reasonably the observed positions of the maxima and minima as well as the overall line shapes and allows us to identify the character of corresponding topological transformations., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure, to appear in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn

We show that the critical temperature of a ferromagnetic phase transition in a quasi-two-dimensional hole gas confined in a diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum well strongly depends on the hole chemical potential and hole density. The significant variations of the the Curie temperature occur close to the Lifshitz topological transition points where the hole Fermi surface acquires additional components of topological connectivity due to the filling of excited size-quantization subbands. The model calculations demonstrate that the Curie temperature can be doubled by a small variation of the gate voltage for the CdMnTe/CdMgTe quantum well based device.

The article discusses the features of the application of the theory of degradation to the work of an integrated structure operating in a complex stress state. The analysis of the work of an integrated structure consisting of a steel shell filled with concrete (core structure). Based on the analysis of the construction work, we obtained the relations connecting the deformations of the steel shell and the polymer concrete core of the complex structure. The obtained relations made it possible to apply the diagrams of concrete work for uniaxial compression to analyze the possibility of using concrete as a core of an integrated structure. Experimental studies of the polymer concrete core of the structure were conducted. In total, ten concrete compositions were made and investigated. The compositions of concrete differed in cementitious: cement and polyester resin. As a filler used sand, gravel, ground clay, marble flour, soda and fine mineral fibers. Samples were tested for central and eccentric compression. During the tests used the methods used in testing cement concrete. As a result of the tests, complete schedules of the work of materials for uniaxial compression were obtained. The analysis of the energy characteristics of concrete schedules based on the theory of degradation is carried out. As a result of the discussion of the results obtained, conclusions are drawn about the possibility of using polymer concrete as the supporting core of an integrated structure with an external steel shell.

The problem of correct definition of the charge carrier effective mass in superfluid helium is revised. It is demonstrated that the effective mass M of such a quasiparticle can be introduced without use of Atkins' idea concerning the solidification of liquid He in the close vicinity of an ion. The two-liquid scenario of the 'snowball' mass formation is investigated. The normal fluid contribution to the total snowball effective mass, the physical causes of its singularity, and a way to do the corresponding regularization procedure are discussed. Within the two-liquid model, two different effective snowball radii exist: R-id for superfluid flow component and R-n for the normal one, R-n > R-id s demonstrated. Agreement of the theory with the available experimental data is found. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

The effect of fluctuations on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation rate, $W$, is studied in a complete phase diagram of a 2D superconductor above the upper critical field line $H_{c2}(T)$ . In the region of relatively high temperatures and low magnetic fields, the relaxation rate $W$ is determined by two competing effects. The first one is its decrease in result of suppression of quasi-particle density of states (DOS) due to formation of fluctuation Cooper pairs (FCP). The second one is a specific, purely quantum, relaxation process of the Maki-Thompson (MT) type, which for low field leads to an increase of the relaxation rate. The latter describes particular fluctuation processes involving self-pairing of a single electron on self-intersecting trajectories of a size up to phase-breaking length $l_{\phi }$ which becomes possible due to an electron spin-flip scattering event at a nucleus. As a result, different scenarios with either growth or decrease of the NMR relaxation rate are possible upon approaching the normal metal - type-II superconductor transition. The character of fluctuations changes along the line $H_{c2}$ from the thermal long-wavelength type in weak magnetic fields to the clusters of rotating FCP in fields comparable to $H_{c2}$. We find that below the well-defined temperature $T^*_0\approx 0.6T_{c0}$, the MT process becomes ineffective even in absence of intrinsic pair-breaking. The small scale of FCP rotations ($\xi_{xy}$) in so high fields impedes formation of long (, Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures

Thermoelectric energy conversion is a direct but low-efficiency process, which precludes the development of long-awaited wide-scale applications. As a breakthrough permitting a drastic performance increase is seemingly out of reach, we fully reconsider the problem of thermoelectric coupling enhancement. The corner stone of our approach is the observation that heat engines are particularly efficient when their operation involves a phase transition of their working fluid. We derive and compute the thermoelastic coefficients of various systems, including Bose and Fermi gases, and fluctuation Cooper pairs. Combination of these coefficients yields the definition of the thermodynamic figure of merit, the divergence of which at $finite$ temperature indicates that conditions are fulfilled for the best possible use of the thermoelectric working fluid. Here, this situation occurs in the fluctuation regime only, as a consequence of the increased compressibility of the working fluid near its phase transition. Our results and analysis clearly show that efforts in the field of thermoelectricity can now be productively directed towards systems where electronic phase transitions are possible.

The effect of topological excitations in the form of small size (r ≪ξ(T)) vortex rings on thermodynamics of a bulk superconductor is considered. These specific short wavelength fluctuations of the order parameter are analogous to small vortex-antivortex pairs in superconducting film which were recently studied in Y.N. Ovchinnikov, A.A. Varlamov, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 107007 (2004). The corresponding contribution to the free energy below Tc is calculated. It is shown that fluctuations of this type give the main temperature dependent contribution to the heat capacity of the superconductor in the sufficiently large interval of temperatures below the transition point. Important, that the sign of this contribution is opposite to that one appearing due to the usual long wavelength fluctuation, leading to smearing of the BCS jump of heat capacity.

We review some results concerning the superconducting properties of a 2D superconductor in the proximity to an electronic topological transition (ETT). In contrast to the 3D case, we find that the superconducting gap at T = 0 is characterized by a nonmonotonic behavior, with maxima occurring close to the ETT, both for s- and for d-wave pairing. Such a result is in good qualitative agreement with the phenomenological trend recently observed for [Formula: see text] as a function of the hopping ratio t′/t for several cuprate compounds. We also derive a nonmonotonic dependence of the quasiparticle inverse lifetime due to impurity scattering. We further analyze the effect of an ETT on the Ginzburg-Landau stiffness η, for which we recover an expression analogous to the case of an isotropic dispersion relation.

We propose a Ginzburg-Landau phenomenological model for the dependence of the critical temperature on microscopic strain in tetragonal high-[Formula: See Text] cuprates. Such a model is in agreement with the experimental results for LSCO under epitaxial strain, as well as with the hydrostatic pressure dependence of [Formula: See Text] in most cuprates. In particular, a nonmonotonic dependence of [Formula: See Text] on hydrostatic pressure, as well as on in-plane or apical microstrain, is derived. From a microscopic point of view, such results can be understood as due to the proximity to an electronic topological transition (ETT). In the case of LSCO, we argue that such an ETT can be driven by a strain-induced modification of the band structure, at constant hole content, at variance with a doping-induced ETT, as is usually assumed.

PRE; International audience; We discuss the details of ambipolar relaxation of the electric field in liquid asymmetric electrolytes to its stationary value. It is demonstrated that the account for finite boundary conditions modifies the existing concepts of this diffusion process. In particular, we succeeded to suggest a qualitatively correct explanation of the observed distribution of the electric fields over the bulk of the cuvette and its nonmonotonic behavior in measurements on the finite-size cuvette. We analyze the conditions of such an anomaly at the intermediate stages of the relaxation process

We propose a Ginzburg-Landau phenomenological model for the dependence of the critical temperature on microscopic strain in tetragonal high-Tc cuprates. Such a model is in agreement with the experimental results for LSCO under epitaxial strain, as well as with the hydrostatic pressure dependence of Tc in most cuprates. In particular, a nonmonotonic dependence of Tc on hydrostatic pressure, as well as on in-plane or apical microstrain, is derived. From a microscopic point of view, such results can be understood as due to the proximity to an electronic topological transition (ETT). In the case of LSCO, we argue that such an ETT can be driven by a strain-induced modification of the band structure, at constant hole content, at variance with a doping-induced ETT, as is usually assumed.

The theory of fluctuation conductivity for an arbitrary impurity concentration including ultra-clean limit (Tτ √Tc/T – Tc) is developed. It is demonstrated that the formal divergency of the fluctuation density of states contribution obtained previously for the clean case is removed by the correct treatment of the nonlocal ballistic electron scattering. We show that in the ultra-clean limit the density-of-states quantum corrections are canceled by the Maki–Thompson term and only classical paraconductivity remains.

The fluctuation-induced magnetoconductivity of the Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10+x phase is studied above zero-field critical temperature Tc(0) and for moderate magnetic fields. It is found that the Gaussian approximation for superconducting fluctuations underestimates the negative fluctuation magnetoconductance drastically in the Tc(0) < T < Tc(0) + 20 K temperature range. Taking into account the critical fluctuation contribution on the base of self-consistent Hartree approximation makes it possible to explain the data quantitatively in terms of the only Aslamazov-Larkin contribution for different magnetic fields and temperatures, consistently with the zero field data.

The electrical transport properties of $[{\mathrm{BaCuO}}_{x}{]}_{2}/[{\mathrm{CaCuO}}_{2}{]}_{n}(\mathrm{C}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\ensuremath{-}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}n)$ underdoped high-temperature superconducting superlattices grown by pulsed laser deposition have been investigated. Starting from the optimally doped $\mathrm{C}\mathrm{B}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}\ensuremath{-}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2$ superlattice, having three ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes and ${T}_{c}$ around 80 K, we have systematically increased the number n up to 15 moving toward the underdoped region and hence decreasing ${T}_{c}.$ For $ng11$ the artificial structures are no longer superconducting, as expected, for a uniformly distributed charge carrier density inside the conducting block layer. The sheet resistance of such artificial structures $(n\ensuremath{\approx}11)$ turns out to be quite temperature independent and close to the two-dimensional quantum resistance 26 k\ensuremath{\Omega}. A further increase of the number of ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes results in an insulator-type dependence of $R(T)$ in the wide range of temperatures from room temperature to 1 K. The value of the sheet resistance separating the superconducting and the insulating regimes supports the fermionic scenario of the superconductor-insulator transition in these systems.

Magnetization and ${}^{63}\mathrm{Cu}$ nuclear magnetic resonance-nuclear quadrupole resonance relaxation measurements are used to study the superconducting fluctuations in ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{6+x}$ (YBCO) oriented powders. In optimally doped YBCO the fluctuating negative magnetization ${M}_{\mathrm{fl}}(H,T)$ is rather well described by an anisotropic Ginzburg-Landau (GL) functional and the curves ${M}_{\mathrm{fl}}/\sqrt{H}$ cross at ${T}_{c}.$ In underdoped YBCO, instead, over a wide temperature range an anomalous diamagnetism is observed, stronger than in the optimally doped compound by about an order of magnitude. The field and temperature dependence of ${M}_{\mathrm{fl}}$ cannot be described either by an anisotropic GL functional or on the basis of scaling arguments. The anomalous diamagnetism is more pronounced in samples with a defined order in the Cu(1)O chains. The ${}^{63}\mathrm{Cu}(2)$ relaxation rate shows little, if any, field dependence in the vicinity of the transition temperature ${T}_{c}(H=0).$ It is argued how the results in the underdoped compounds can be accounted for by the presence of charge inhomogeneities, favored by chains ordering.

During the last decade a lot of efforts have been undertaken to explain the unusual normal state properties of high temperature superconductors (HTS) in the framework of unconventional theories based on strongly interacting electrons, pre-formed Cooper pairs, polaron mechanism of super conductivity etc. A different approach to this problem would be to develop the perturbation theory for interacting electrons in the normal phase of strongly anisotropic superconductors without specifying the origin of this interaction. The Cooper channel of interelectron interaction is equivalent to the superconducting fluctuations which are unusually strong in HTS. We show that the peculiarities of such systems not only lead to the increase of the magnitude but are also frequently responsible for the change of the hierarchy of different fluctuation effects and even of the sign of the total corrections. As a result the fluctuation contributions can manifest themselves in very unusual forms. The first and well known result i...