Prof. Tadeusz Kowalik (1926-2012) was one of the few Polish economists who advocated a fairer model for the Polish transformation, based on the examples of Scandinavian countries.

The gray economy, the shadowy world of infonnal economic ties, is generally considered a factor that exerts a negative impact on the economic system. Yet viewed from the perspective of a researcher dealing with the economy's social aspects, the gray economy's existence does give rise to important benefits.

Extremes in the natural world, such as extreme weather phenomena, are rather unpleasant for people. In turn, the extremes that permeate society have far-reaching consequences. But where should extremes be encouraged?

Nastał okres skrajnych stanów pogodowych. Tak twierdzą klimatolodzy i tego doświadczamy. Skrajności w przyrodzie są dla ludzi nieprzyjemne. Raczej. Za to te przenikające społeczeństwo wywołują konsekwencje rozległe.

The paper presents the effect of ICP-RIE etching time using one-component plasma on various parameters of an InAs/GaSb type II superlattice matrix. In the studies, two samples used at different BCl3 gas flow rates were compared and it was found that using a lower flow rate of 7 sccm results in obtaining a smoother sidewall morphology. Next, five periodic mesa-shaped structures were etched under identical conditions, but using a different time. The results indicated that the ICP-RIE method using a BCl3 flow rate of 7 sccm, ICP:RIE power ratio of 300W:270W allowed the ICP:RIE formation of a periodic mesa-shaped structure with smooth and perpendicular sidewalls.

This work reports on the investigation of homogeneity of the inside of indium micro-bumps/ columns placed on Ti/Pt/Au under bump metallisation. This is very important for connection resistivity, long-time durability, and subsequent hybridisation process (e.g., die-bonding). Gold reacts with indium to form intermetallic alloys with different chemo-physical parameters than pure indium. The geometrical and structural parameters of intermetallic alloys were analysed based on transmission electron microscope images. Distribution of elements in the investigated samples was determined using the transmission electron micro-scope with energy dispersive spectroscopy method. A thickness of intermetallic alloy was 1.02 μm and 1.67 μm in non-annealed (A) and annealed (B) indium columns, respectively. The layered and column-like interior structure of alloys was observed for both samples, respectively, with twice bigger grains in sample B. The graded chemical composition of Au-In intermetallic alloy was detected for the non-annealed In columns in contrast to the constant composition of 40% of Au and 60% of In for the annealed sample B. The atomic distribution has a minor impact on the In column mechanical stability. A yield above 99% of an In column with a 25 µm diameter and a 11 µm height is possible for a uniform columnar structure of intermetallic alloy with a thickness of 1.67 μm.