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have been able to determine the number of nucleons that contribute to a reaction on the basis of shell-model considerations. Physicists at the University of Umea are examining the field-model theory for scattering to determine relations associated with broken couplings between octet baryons and pseudocalar octet mesons.

A major portion of plasma research is performed at the KTH. Other groups at the leading universities and the Atomic Energy Company have modest programs. Researchers at the KTH are examining experimental results and related theory dealing with rotating plasmas aimed at advancing Swedish capabilities for nuclear fusion, cosmic physics, and special applications such as the plasma centrifuge, condensers, propulsion, and the plasma gun. Some of the KTH's research relates to the separation of different species of elements and isotopes; the researchers are aided by their expertise in the development and use of mass spectrometry. Work is continuing on the confinement of plasma by using strong magnetic fields. Special plasma guns that produce magnetized plasma rings are under study at the FOA.

An impressive amount of laser research is being conducted at the KTH and CTH. A large portion of such research is oriented toward laser beam optics and holography. The research is aimed at restoring holograph images of a distorted or defocused nature by using extended range spatial filters. Ultra-short pulse lasers and the means for measuring the properties of the output pulses also are under study. Development of solid-state lasers is progressing well, based on Swedish capabilities for growing synthetic crystals and for research in relaxation effects.

The Swedes have always shown good capabilities in research related to atomic and molecular physics. Recent studies have concerned atomic and molecular structure of the benzene spectra and the isoelectronic series, such as thiophene, pyrrole, and furan. A major portion of such work is being conducted at the University of Uppsala. Some research is being devoted to the study and examination of hydrogen and helium atoms at the Institute of Physics of the University of Stockholm; the beam foil spectra of helium and oxygen are being studied, using a special spectrometer located in the beam tubes of the institute's Van de Graaff generator for the purpose of observing doubly excited levels of lifetimes of isotopic gases.

Fluid dynamics is a popular subject of physics research. The KTH is conducting limited studies of space charge conditions and Mach number in an electrostatic shock to note electron distributions that are continuous at the boundary between free and trapped electrons. Stratified fluids are of major interest to fluid dynamicists in connection with heat diffusion. Stratification involves a technique for arranging fluids in layers. Interest is in the mechanisms associated with basic stratification of fluid regions subject to thermal forcing, and the means for predicting properties for a wide class of boundary conditions.

Research in superconductivity is of high quality but narrow in scope. Other research involves specific heat measurements of zirconium compounds and the study of superconductivity properties and electron-phonon interactions in tantalum-vanadium alloys using resistant measurements to determine parameters connected with transition temperatures.

Sweden has been traditionally strong in mathematics. The quantity of research is substantial for a country of its size, and the quality of excellent. The Swedes are renowned for their work in statistics and are among the forerunners in data analysis and the use of computers in prediction theory and automation. Theoretical research centers on analysis, especially those branches of analysis dealing with the toyed of partial differential equations, the theory of complex variables, and functional analysis. A minor but imaginative and competent research effort is underway in various branches of algebra, geometry, and topology.

Sweden is active in international mathematical affairs and participates in most of the international meetings. Since September 1970 at least 14 Swedish mathematicians have made extended visits to U.S. universities. An exceptional mathematical journal, Acia Mathematica, has been published in Sweden with the cooperation of Denmark, Norway, and Finland, since 1882. It has become one of the most prominent mathematical journals, and its excellence is recognized internationally.

c. Astrogeophysical sciences

(1) Astronomy and space sciences — Although the Stockholm Astronomical Observatory of the KVA at Saltsjobaden was established in 1784, there has never been an appreciable effort in observational astronomy. However, significant theoretical contributions have been made. The country's northerly geographical position has motivated emphasis on auroral studies, and these in turn appear to have encouraged interest in other areas of aeronomy, notably upper atmospheric rocketry and ionospheric radiophysical research. The former has progressed into a more extended interest in space science, while the latter has developed into tropospheric and other environmentally related radiophysical research areas.

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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090022-2