Polarity effects on ZnO films grown along the nonpolar [1120] direction

The surface electrical properties of ZnO thin films grown along the nonpolar [1120] direction have been investigated by Kelvin probe microscopy on a nanometer scale. Two different charge domains, with a 75 meV work function difference, coexist within the ZnO surface, which is covered by rhombohedral pyramids whose sidewalls are shown to be {1011}-type planes. The presence and relative orientation of the two kinds of charge domains are explained in terms of the atomic arrangement at the {1011} polar surfaces.     

Delayed fracture in porous media

The fracture of porous media subjected to a constant load is studied. Contrary to homogeneous solids in which fracture usually happens instantaneously at a well-defined breaking strength, the fracture of a porous medium can occur with a delay, allowing us to quantify the average lifetime of the unbroken material. We show that the average fracture probability, a key property for risk analysis in civil engineering, is given by the probability of crack nucleation. The nucleation process can be understood qualitatively by calculating the activation energy for crack nucleation, taking into account the porosity of the medium.     

Short-time dynamics in quasi-two-dimensional colloidal suspensions

The short-time dynamic properties of colloidal particles in quasi-two-dimensional geometries are studied by digital video microscopy. We demonstrate experimentally that the effective-two-dimensional physical quantities such as the dynamic structure factor, the hydrodynamic function, and the hydrodynamic diffusion coefficients are related in exactly the same manner as their three-dimensional counterparts.     

Femtosecond optical vortices in air

We examine the robustness of ultrashort optical vortices propagating freely in the atmosphere. We first approximate the stability regions of femtosecond spinning pulses as a function of their topological charge. Next, we numerically demonstrate that atmospheric optical vortices are capable of conveying high power levels in air over hundreds of meters before they break up into filaments.     

Enhancement of single-molecule fluorescence detection in subwavelength apertures

We report the experimental proof of molecular count rate enhancement (up to 6.5-fold) and lifetime reduction for single fluorescent molecules diffusing in subwavelength apertures milled in aluminum films. The observed enhancement dependence with the aperture diameter agrees qualitatively with numerical electromagnetic computations of the excitation power density into the aperture volume.     

Superconductivity of bulk CaC6

We have obtained bulk samples of the graphite intercalation compound, CaC6, by a novel method of synthesis from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite. The crystal structure has been completely determined showing that it is the only member of the MC6, metal-graphite compounds that has rhombohedral symmetry. We have clearly shown the occurrence of superconductivity in the bulk sample at 11.5 K, using magnetization measurements.     

All-optical switching of the transmission of electromagnetic radiation through subwavelength apertures

Unprecedented optical control of the surface plasmon polariton assisted transmission of terahertz radiation through subwavelength apertures is rendered possible by carrier-induced changes to the dielectric properties of a semiconductor grating. Although the study presented is static, the extension of our approach to dynamic switching and tuning is deemed straightforward, opening the way for the realization of ultrafast surface plasmon based devices.     

Three-dimensional recomposition of the absorption field inside a nonbuoyant sooting flame

A remote scanning retrieval method was developed to investigate the soot layer produced by a laminar diffusion flame established over a flat plate burner in microgravity. Experiments were conducted during parabolic flights. This original application of an inverse problem leads to the three-dimensional recomposition by layers of the absorption field inside the flame. This technique provides a well-defined flame length that substitutes for other subjective definitions associated with emissions.     

Rheological properties of paraffin suspensions of surface-modified alumina powder for low-pressure injection moulding

Due to the hygroscopic nature of fine alumina powders, the presence of water may have a detrimental effect on the rheological properties of a suspension in melted paraffin for low-pressure injection moulding (LPIM). For this reason, a modification of the powder surface from hydrophilic to hydrophobic is essential for the production of high-quality moulded ceramics. In our paper, the efficiency of the application and the chemisorption of protective monomolecular layers of a long-chain carboxylic acid or its salts will be presented. The effect of the powder treatment on the shear viscosity and the viscoelastic properties of the suspensions for LPIM as well as on their stability in terms of the detrimental effect of water will be discussed.This paper was presented at the first Annual European Rheology Conference (AERC) held in Guimarães, Portugal, September 11-13, 2003.     

Interaction of femtosecond light filaments with obscurants in aerosols

The interaction of ultrashort laser pulses with opaque droplets in the atmosphere is examined numerically. Intense filaments resulting from the balance between self-focusing and ionization of air molecules are shown to be robust against obscurants sized up to 2/3 of the filament diameter. (3D+1)-dimensional numerical simulations confirm recent experimental data [F. Courvoisier et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 83, 213 (2003)]. The filament is rapidly rebuilt with minimal loss of energy over a few cm after the interaction region. The replenishment of the pulse mainly proceeds from the nonlinear attractor responsible for the formation of a spatial soliton modeling the filament core.