APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110012-0
superconductivity, quantum electronics, and acoustics. Most of the plasma and MHD work occurs at the institutes of the CSAV. The studies involve microwave energy absorption effects of pulses on inert gas plasma columns, transverse wave penetration into plasma, beam-plasma interactions, and plasma diagnostics. With regard to quantum electronics, the Technical University of Prague appears to have developed significant capabilities probably aimed at developing lasers for communications. At the present time, laser specialists are studying means for single-mode modulation by using acoustic waves. Others at the Technical University are studying frequency shift techniques which can lead to development of better means of frequency control. In acoustics, scattered efforts are indicated by the few studies reported on shock and detonation, vibrations, and oscillations. The central interest appears to be the state of real gases following primary and reflected shock waves and their structures.
Mathematical research is strong and is of good quality and of substantial quantity. The mathematical capabilities of the Czechoslovaks appear sufficiently strong so that they can be expected to continue to do well in this field. Their continued productivity in spite of social upheavals is also a good indicator of this prospect. The range of subjects treated is wide, with recent emphasis being placed on analysis (especially ordinary differential equations), logic (including graph theory), geometry, statistics, numerical methods, and applications (such as mathematical programming, information theory, and automatic control). The overall output of research may have slackened in recent years, but the output of mathematics applicable to other fields seems to be increasing. The Czechoslovakian performance of mathematics research is not much behind the outstanding performance in Hungary, but the emphasis is more toward applications.
Mathematical activity is centered in the universities and in the mathematics institutes of the CSAV, which publishes five journals oriented toward the subject. There is evidently a good effort toward maintaining communication with mathematicians throughout the world so that Czechoslovak research is often published in Western and Eastern Europe, the United States, and Asia.
Little recent information is available on computers in Czechoslovakia, but the frequency of papers on numerical analysis and applications indicates that computers are receiving substantial attention. They are being used for control of industrial processes. In other respects, computer software developed in the country is more advanced than that in the U.S.S.R. Currently Czechoslovak computers come from the United Kingdom, France, the U.S.S.R., and the United States. The U.S. computers are usually obtained through the United Kingdom and France, although some U.S. computer firms, for example, Hewlett-Packard and Uarian, are exporting directly to Czechoslovakia. Also, IBM has a sizable share of the market.
c. Astrogeophysical sciences (C)
(1) Astronomy—Astronomical research is competent but generally is not outstanding. However, the country enjoys an international reputation in cometary and meteor astronomy, and except for the U.S.S.R., it is the leading East European country in solar research. The science of astronomy enjoys a high standing with the general public, and there are about 50 public observatories and several planetariums in Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovak Astronomical Society, comprised of both amateur and professional astronomers, is a respected organization, and there is astronomical activity in several of the universities.
Professional research is guided by the Scientific Board of Astronomy, Geophysics, Geodesy, and Meteorology of the CSAV-SAV. One primary center of activity is the Astronomical Institute of the CSAV, Prague, which includes the Ondrejov Observatory, about 40 km. southeast of Prague. The second principal center is the Astronomical Institute of the SAV, Bratislava, and its Skalnate Pleso (Rocky Lake) Observatory on Lomnicky Stit. Both the Ondrejov and the Skalnate Pleso observatories are equipped for stellar, solar, and cometary and meteor astronomy. The largest instrument is a 2-meter reflecting telescope at Ondrejov, useful particularly for stellar spectroscopy. The Skalnate Pleso Observatory has a solar corona station on the summit of Lomnicky Stit. There is also a network of about 22 all-sky camera stations distributed throughout Czechoslovakia for determining the trajectories of large meteors and to aid in locating any resulting meteorites.
Astronomical research includes some theoretical cosmology and celestial mechanics and both theoretical and observational galactic and stellar astronomy. However, the principal areas are cometary and meteor astronomy and solar research, in which both the Ondrejov and Skalnate Pleso observatories engage. Theoretical studies and optical and radio observations are made. In the solar area, the major effort is at Ondrejov, where emphasis is on the study of solar flares in which there is cooperation with the U.S.S.R. and the West. There has also been a
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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200110012-0
