The author of this essay deals with the specificity of sociology in Poland, reaching for the book of Antoni Sułek A Mirror on the High Road. Chapters from the History of Social Research in Poland (2019). Chapters of this book taken as a set constitute a review of the key issues that Polish sociologists strived to tackle in the 20th century. For approximately half of the book (6 chapters) Sułek focuses on issues of Polish sociology from the mid-1950s to the turn of the 1990s: the first is the change of theoretical and methodological paradigms in Polish sociology in the second half of the 20th century; the second is the successes of Polish sociology, but also its weaknesses—the author devoted much space to the theoretical limitations that prevented sociologists from predicting the formation of Solidarity in 1980. The third topic is the historical analysis of surveys conducted in the last decade of communism—their reliability as well as social and political functions. Finally, Sułek’s vision of socially-involved sociology appears. The strength of such sociology lies in its methodology, with which specific phenomena can be correctly defined, impartially analysed, and systematically investigated. And this in turn enables evidence-based debate and policy.

Recent years have witnessed the publication of a number of research papers and books seeking to assess threats of electoral victories of anti-establishment politicians and political parties, described as authoritarian populists. This essay focuses on three books directly addressing the origins and threats of authoritarian populism to democracy. It consists of six sections and the conclusion. The first section presents findings (Norris and Inglehart) based on surveys of values of voters of various age cohorts concluding that authoritarian populism is a temporary backlash provoked by the post-materialist perspective. The second section examines the contention, spelled out in Levitsky and Ziblatt, that increase in openness of American political system produced, unintentionally, a degradation of the American political system. The third section continues brief presentations focusing on to the causes and implications of “illiberal democracy,” and “undemocratic liberalism” (Mounk). The fourth section examines developments in the quality of democracy in the world showing that despite the decline in Democracy Indices, overall there was no slide towards non-democratic forms of government in 2006–2019. The next two sections deal with dimensions missing in reviewed books; the notion of nation-state, international environment, civic culture and, in particular, dangers of radical egalitarianism to democracy. The last section concludes with regrets that the authors ignored rich literature on fragility of democracy and failed to incorporate in their analyses deeper structural factors eroding democracy: by the same token, return to the pre-populist shock trajectory is unlikely to assure survival of liberal democracy.

The article presents Charles Taylor’s critical philosophy of language and it reviews his recent book on the human linguistic capacity. Critical philosophy of language is understood here as a broad (philosophical, social and political) perspective on language characterized by multifaceted concern with the linguistic and cognitive mechanisms involved in language use. The paper discusses Taylor’s interest in language and philosophy of language, and focuses on his seminal distinction between the ‘designative-instrumental’ and ‘constitutive-expressive’ theories of language. In the former theory language is understood within the confi nes of Cartesian representational epistemology, whereas in the latter language constitutes meaning and shapes human experience (one of the features important for defi ning the critical approach to philosophy of language).

The article presents an overview and a classification of X-ray detection methods. The main motivation for its preparation was the need to select a suitable and useful method for detecting signals from a currently developed miniature micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) X-ray source. The described methods were divided into passive and active ones, among which can be distinguished: chemical, luminescent, thermo-luminescent, gas ionization, semiconductor, and calorimetric methods. The advantages and drawbacks of each method were underlined, as well as their usefulness for the characterisation of the miniature MEMS X-ray source.

Fano resonance is an optical effect that emerges from the coherent coupling and interference (constructive and destructive) between the continuous state (background process) and the Lorentzian state (resonant process) in the plasmonic waveguide-resonator system. This effect has been used in the applications like optical sensors. These sensors are extensively used in sensing biochemicals and gases by the measurement of refractive index changes as they offer high sensitivity and ultra-high figure of merit. Herein, we surveyed several plasmonic Fano sensors with different geometries composed of metal-insulator-metal waveguide(s). First, the resonators are categorized based on different architectures. The materials and methods adopted for these designs are precisely surveyed and presented. The performances are compared depending upon the characterization parameters like sensitivity and figure of merit. Finally, based on the survey of very recent models, the advances and challenges of refractive index sensing deployed on Fano resonances are discussed.

This work summarises investigations focused on the photoanode impact on the photovoltaic response of dye-sensitized solar cells. This is a comparison of the results obtained by the authors’ research team with literature data. The studies concern the effect of the chemical structure of the applied dye, TiO2 nanostructure, co-adsorbents addition, and experimental conditions of the anode preparation. The oxide substrates were examined using a scanning electron microscope to determine the thickness and structure of the material. The TiO2 substrates with anchored dye molecules were also tested for absorption properties in the UV-Vis light range, largely translating into current density values. Photovoltaic parameters of the fabricated devices with sandwich structure were obtained from current-voltage measurements. During tests conducted with the N719 dye, it was found that devices containing an 8.4 µm thick oxide semiconductor layer had the highest efficiency (5.99%). At the same time, studies were carried out to determine the effect of the solvent and it was found that the best results were obtained using an ACN : tert-butanol mixture (5.46%). Next, phenothiazine derivatives (PTZ-1–PTZ-6) were used to prepare the devices; among the prepared solar cells, the devices containing PTZ-2 and PTZ-3 had the highest performance (6.21 and 6.22%, respectively). Two compounds designated as Th-1 and M-1 were used to prepare devices containing a dye mixture with N719.

In the last decade several papers have announced usefulness of two-dimensional materials for high operating temperature photodetectors covering long wavelength infrared spectral region. Transition metal dichalcogenide photodetectors, such as PdSe ₂/MoS ₂ and WS ₂/HfS ₂ and WS ₂/HfS ₂ heterojunctions, have been shown to achieve record detectivities at room temperature (higher than HgCdTe photodiodes). Under these circumstances, it is reasonable to consider the advantages and disadvantages of two-dimensional materials for infrared detection. This review attempts to answer the question thus posed.

Graphene applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices have been thoroughly and intensively studied since graphene discovery. Thanks to the exceptional electronic and optical properties of graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials, they can become promising candidates for infrared and terahertz photodetectors.

Quantity of the published papers devoted to 2D materials as sensors is huge. However, authors of these papers address them mainly to researches involved in investigations of 2D materials. In the present paper this topic is treated comprehensively with including both theoretical estimations and many experimental data.

At the beginning fundamental properties and performance of graphene-based, as well as alternative 2D materials have been shortly described. Next, the position of 2D material detectors is considered in confrontation with the present stage of infrared and terahertz detectors offered on global market. A new benchmark, so-called “Law 19”, used for prediction of background limited HgCdTe photodiodes operated at near room temperature, is introduced. This law is next treated as the reference for alternative 2D material technologies. The performance comparison concerns the detector responsivity, detectivity and response time. Place of 2D material-based detectors in the near future in a wide infrared detector family is predicted in the final conclusions.

The review exposes basic concepts and manifestations of the singular and structured light fields. The presentation is based on deep intrinsic relations between the singularities and the rotational phenomena in light; it involves essentially the dynamical aspects of light fields and their interactions with matter. Due to their topological nature, the singularities of each separate parameter (phase, polarization, energy flow, etc.) form coherent interrelated systems (singular networks), and the meaningful interconnections between the different singular networks are analysed. The main features of singular-light structures are introduced via generic examples of the optical vortex and circular vortex beams. The review describes approaches for generation and diagnostics of different singular networks and underlines the role of singularities in formation of optical field structures. The mechanical action of structured light fields on material objects is discussed on the base of the spin-orbital (canonical) decomposition of electromagnetic momentum, expressing the special roles of the spin (polarization) and spatial degrees of freedom. Experimental demonstrations spectacularly characterize the topological nature and the immanent rotational features of the light-field singularities. The review is based on the results obtained by its authors with a special attention to relevant works of other researchers.

Adopting mode division multiplex (MDM) technology as the next frontier for optical fiber communication and on-chip optical interconnection systems is becoming very promising because of those remarkable experimental results based on MDM technology to enhance capacity of optical transmission and, hence, making MDM technology an attractive research field. Consequently, in recent years the large number of new optical devices used to control modes, for example, mode converters, mode filters, mode (de)multiplexers, and mode-selective switches, have been developed for MDM applications. This paper presents a review on the recent advances on mode converters, a key component usually used to convert a fundamental mode into a selected high-order mode, and vice versa, at the transmitting and receiving ends in the MDM transmission system. This review focuses on the mode converters based on planar lightwave circuit (PLC) technology and various PLC-based mode converters applied to the above two systems and realized with different materials, structures, and technologies. The basic principles and performances of these mode converters are summarized.

Thermal-imaging systems respond to infrared radiation that is naturally emitted by objects. Various multispectral and hyperspectral devices are available for measuring radiation in discrete sub-bands and thus enable a detection of differences in a spectral emissivity or transmission. For example, such devices can be used to detect hazardous gases. However, their operation principle is based on the fact that radiation is considered a scalar property. Consequently, all the radiation vector properties, such as polarization, are neglected. Analysing radiation in terms of the polarization state and the spatial distribution of thereof across a scene can provide additional information regarding the imaged objects. Various methods can be used to extract polarimetric information from an observed scene. We briefly review architectures of polarimetric imagers used in different wavebands. First, the state-of-the-art polarimeters are presented, and, then, a classification of polarimetric-measurement devices is described in detail. Additionally, the data processing in Stokes polarimeters is given. Emphasis is laid on the methods for obtaining the Stokes parameters. Some predictions in terms of LWIR polarimeters are presented in the conclusion.

The present review is mainly focused on the extended analysis of the results obtained from coupled measurement techniques of a thermal imaging camera and chronoamperometry for imines in undoped and doped states. This coupled technique allows to identify the current-voltage characteristics of thin films based on imine, as well as to assess layer defects in thermal images. Additional analysis of results provides further information regarding sample parameters, such as resistance, conductivity, thermal resistance, and Joule power heat correlated with increasing temperature. As can be concluded from this review, it is possible not only to study material properties at the supramolecular level, but also to tune macroscopic properties of -conjugated systems. A detailed study of the structure-thermoelectrical properties in a series of eight unsymmetrical and symmetrical imines for the field of optoelectronics and photovoltaics has been undertaken. Apart from this molecular engineering, the imines properties were also tuned by supramolecular engineering via protonation with camphorsulfonic acid and by creation of bulk-heterojunction compositions based on poly(4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-2,6-diyl-alt-3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophene-4,6-diyl) and/or [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) towards the analysed donor or acceptor ability of imines in the active layer. The use of coupled measurement techniques of a thermal imaging camera and chronoamperometry allows obtaining comprehensive data on thermoelectric properties and defects indicating possible molecule rearrangement within the layer.

The solar photovoltaic technology is one of the renewable technologies with the potential to shape a future-proof, reliable, scalable and affordable electricity system. It is important to provide better resources for any upcoming technology. CdS/CdTe thin films have long been considered as one enticing option for reliable and cost-effective solar cells to be developed. N-type CdS as a transparent window layer in heterojunction structures is one of the best choices for CdTe cells. In a solar cell structure, window layer material plays a very crucial role to improve its performance. For this reason, this review focuses on the basic and significant aspects such as importance of the window layer thickness, degradation effect, use of nano-wire arrays, and an ammonia-free process to deposit the window layer. Also, an attempt has been made to analyze various processes improving window layer properties. Necessary discussions have been included to review the impact of solar cell parameters on the above aspects. It is anticipated that this review article will fulfill the requirement of knowledge to be used in the fabrication of CdS/CdTe solar cells.

In recent years, metal halide perovskites have gained significant attention due to their unique optical and electronic properties of semiconductor materials, which make them ideal for use in sustainable and energy-efficient devices. These devices include solar cells, lasers, and light-emitting diodes. Therefore, this review aims initially to provide an overview of the most important characteristics of metal halide perovskites, including their engineering development in various types, such as those based on lead or lead-free materials, like tin or germanium. Additionally, perovskites made from purely inorganic compounds like caesium bromide, chloride, or iodide, as well as hybrids mixed with organic compounds like formamidinium and methylammonium halides will be discussed. The goal is to improve their stability and efficiency. Secondly, some of the studies have proposed technologies combining electronic and mechanical characteristics of flexibility or rigidity as required, promoting their synthesis with different materials such as polymers (poly methyl methacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride), biopolymers (starch, cyclodextrin, polylactic acid, and polylysines), among others. Finally, the subject of this work is to establish the main purpose of the research carried out so far, which is to develop simpler and more scalable processes at industrial level to achieve greater efficiency and duration in storage, exposure to visible light, critical environments, humid or high temperatures.

The review includes results of analyses and research aimed at standardizing the concepts and measurement procedures associated with photodetector parameters. Photodetectors are key components that ensure the conversion of incoming optical radiation into an electrical signal in a wide variety of sophisticated optoelectronic systems and everyday devices, such as smartwatches and systems that measure the composition of the Martian atmosphere. Semiconductor detectors are presented, and they play a major role due to their excellent optical and electrical parameters as well as physical parameters, stability, and long mean time to failure. As their performance depends on the manufacturing technology and internal architecture, different types of photodetectors are described first. The following parts of the article concern metrological aspects related to their characterization. All the basic parameters have been defined, which are useful both for their users and their developers. This allows for the verification of photodetectors’ workmanship quality, the capabilities of a given technology, and, above all, suitability for a specific application and the performance of the final optoelectronic system. Experimentally validated meteorological models and equivalent diagrams, which are necessary for the correct analysis of parameter measurements, are also presented. The current state of knowledge presented in recognized scientific papers and the results of the authors’ works are described as well.

The electrical network is a man-made complex network that makes it difficult to monitor and control the power system with traditional monitoring devices. Traditional devices have some limitations in real-time synchronization monitoring which leads to unwanted behavior and causes new challenges in the operation and control of the power systems. A Phasor measurement unit (PMU) is an advanced metering device that provides an accurate real-time and synchronized measurement of the voltage and current waveforms of the buses in which the PMU devices are directly connected in the grid station. The device is connected to the busbars of the power grid in the electrical distribution and transmission systems and provides time-synchronized measurement with the help of the Global Positioning System (GPS). However, the implementation and maintenance cost of the device is not bearable for the electrical utilities. Therefore, in recent work, many optimization approaches have been developed to overcome optimal placement of PMU problems to reduce the overall cost by providing complete electrical network observability with a minimal number of PMUs. This research paper reviews the importance of PMU for the modern electrical power system, the architecture of PMU, the differences between PMU, micro-PMU, SCADA, and smart grid (SG) relation with PMU, the sinusoidal waveform, and its phasor representation, and finally a list of PMU applications. The applications of PMU are widely involved in the operation of power systems ranging from power system control and monitor, distribution grid control, load shedding control and analyses, and state estimation which shows the importance of PMU for the modern world.